I moved quickly in slippers, hoping to get a closer photograph.   Instead, I landed on my a-- in 4" of fresh snow.

Recent research on how prolonged periods of sitting affect our health has got me thinking about ways to reduce my time in the chair.  Although I do try to run at least three times a week, I can get absorbed in research and spend an entire day sitting.   I'm not a big fan of the treadmill.  I hate being in the dark cool basement looking at shelves of stored crap while I exercise.  I'd much rather be outside breathing fresh air and enjoying the scenery.  Fifteen minutes on the treadmill feels like an eternity.

Yesterday, I tried something new.  I hopped on the treadmill, walked at a slow speed and whipped up a first draft.  The surface of the machine was flat and predictable.  If I had attempted this outside, I most certainly would have stumbled on a stick, rock, hole or curb.  I figured one hour on the treadmill would be enough to accomplish something.  Often times I've sat in a chair for a half hour trying to get a first draft going and ended up nowhere.  On the treadmill, I got right to it, as if I'd set a timer.  I was delighted that after two miles of walking, I had a decent first draft.  I will try this again, possibly today, to make sure it wasn't a fluke.  

Finding The Facts

We got a bit of snow today

Recently, I was interviewed by Ana Del C. Dye.  I was struck by how similar our upbringings were with a loss early in life, a widowed parent, and three siblings.  As a kid, my situation at home was not the norm and I don't recall ever running into anyone in my shoes, until now.  Anyhow, there is one question in that interview that I think is very important, so I'm reprinting it here.  If you're looking for a quick read, I've highlighted the important information.       

How do you distinguish between fact and non-fact? 
That’s a great question.   The ability to discern the facts is an important skill for science writers, students and for the general public as well. On some topics, like climate change, there is a lot of misinformation out there and it’s easy to be misled.

First of all, I use good sources. I’ll get information from published research papers, national and university websites, adult nonfiction books published by reputable publishers and interviews with scientists. When sources disagree about a fact, I dig deeper. It’s also prudent to look at the reliability of each source. For example, newspaper reporters work under tight deadlines, so sometimes things slip through the cracks. I’ve omitted facts that I couldn’t verify one way or the other.

If a fact doesn’t seem logical, I’ll question it even if it’s from an expert. Recently, on Facebook I noticed an Einstein quote. It didn’t seem like something he would have said, so I did some research and found no evidence it was his quote. Once I found an error in a planning and zoning map that prompted me to get in the street with my tape measure. Sure enough, a distance was incorrect. In 2005, while doing research for an article on beavers I spotted an error in Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia. At ALA, I ran into someone from the company and they were very interested. The Gale Group has since revised and updated the encyclopedia.

Another thing to be watchful of is where the facts are coming from. How qualified is the writer or speaker on the topic? If I was ill, I wouldn’t seek out a geologist for medical attention.  It’s also helpful to note if the individual has a personal connection to the topic. Sure you can get information about tobacco from cigarette companies, but are you going to get the facts?

Female Northern Cardinal

Last fall, when I wrote passages for a higher education test, I was told the passages must be from the real world, no contrived situations and they must use authentic graphics.  Last month, when I was in Texas for a line writing hoedown, we got on the subject of climate change.  I was told that they had quite a few passages on the subject.  About 50% dealt with man-made emissions and 50% dealt with climate change from natural causes.  I was incredulous.  What!

Male Northern Cardinal

There was certainly a risk to speaking out, a risk of losing a client, but I was willing to take that risk.  I was not about to sit back in agreement with something I totally did not agree with, so I explained about the mountain of evidence, the scientific consensus, and the Frontline episode that hammered the climate change counter movement.  What could "natural cause" writers possibly write about that was nonfiction?   Later I was told it wasn't a 50/50 split, but I was unclear about the ratio.  When I returned home, I followed up by sending links to support my statements.  It's doubtful that my voice and my email changed anything, but I'm content knowing that I spoke up and justified my position.

.   

At last night's farewell party, we lit off sky lanterns

This past week, I spent four days in Texas at a line writing research event.  In teams, we devised line items that made a test taker question and think critically about a passage.  These kind of questions are the most challenging to create and consequently, the testing company receives less of this type than any other.  In two days, working with one passage, our small team crafted ten line items and eight were of the most challenging variety.  The team included the passage writer who had in depth understanding of the passage, an experienced line writer and a person from the testing company who recorded and helped phrase our questions.  I was helpful cranking out ideas for line items.  With the help of the team, we turned some of them into questions rather quickly.  Adding these kinds of questions will make the test harder and longer to complete, so I'm not sure how they will compensate for that.

Two weeks ago, I spiced up the "about me" section of this blog by including some old slides and a couple of report cards from the past.  In the future, I'll be adding links to interviews. 

I'm happy to report that we finally have a new camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

AAAS Boston

Notepad on a string and 2 gigabyte flash drive from the European Union
The blue square wrapper at the bottom is all that is left of Belgian chocolate.  Bliss 

This morning I scurried out the door at 4:50 am enroute to the AAAS conference in Boston.  The drive was not much fun with snow pummeling my windshield most of the way.  At times, my speed dropped to 40 mph.  I thought the subway stop "Hynes Convention Center" would take me right into the building.  Wrong!   I also had a bit of an issue registering because my confirmation was deleted when I canceled my hotel reservation.  It didn't help that my license was in the glove compartment of the car, a 45-minute trip by subway.  Oops.  Thankfully, a business card saved the day.

In this press hall, I met science writer Kathryn Hulick. 

  Press had access to a room filled with computers, an interview room, and another room filled with research papers and press releases.  Research papers were organized by session date, time, and then alphabetical by scientist's last name.

I was in my glory in this room

Stories hot off the press

Most of my day I was holed up listening to scientists talk about their work.  Some of it was really captivating stuff that I plan to write about. 

In the exhibit hall, various science organizations and universities had booths (PNAS, NSF, AAAS....).   Grad students were passionate about their research.  If you stopped to read their poster, it was a lot like opening a musical card at the gift shop.  They immediately started up with an explanation of their work. 

Grad students stood lined up by their posters.

I listened at length to one researcher.  Maybe I'll write about her work.   I stayed too long looking at posters and got to my session late.  The scientist I was interested in hearing was listed last, so I thought she was speaking last.  Wrong!   I walked in and she was at the podium.  Oops. 

I went to the AAAS conference to soak up science and that is exactly what I did.  I was intent on maximizing my time there.  A couple of times I regretted my decisions about being one place over another.  Aside from that, I thought the conference was an exciting intellectual experience.  It gave me new story ideas (not that I needed any!).  I left fired up to get to work.  I would definitely go again if it was nearby.

I'm sure that periodic table tee is selling like hot cakes

        

Breaking trail snowshoeing is exhausting when you're sinking knee-deep in the snow

February is turning out to be an über-busy month.  There is so much I want to accomplish, plus an AAAS conference, a trip to Texas and two parties that I'm planning (one has already happened and it was a grand success!).  Currently, I'm writing and doing research.

Julia burrowed a long tunnel through the snow

I booked two nights in Boston for the AAAS conference, but last week I canceled the reservations.  An unexpected writing related trip to Texas popped up that I couldn't refuse.  From Boston to Austin in the blink of an eye seemed a bit much.  Now I'm getting up early and traveling to the AAAS conference for one day.  I was disappointed not to make the evening social event at the Prudential Tower, not so much for the people, but more so because I would miss seeing the lights of Boston.  I came up with a fine solution, I'll truck up that tower before I get on the subway and head home. 

The blizzard of 2013 dumped 27-31" of snow

   

Hammonasset State Beach

    When I first started writing, I thought it was like climbing a mountain.  Every time you think you're near the top, you discover the top is farther than you think.  I've come to realize, there is no top to this mountain.  It goes on and on and on.
     Writing is more like being on a boat, rising and falling on rolling swells. The trick is to stay afloat.  When the horizon slips out of sight, it's easy to get lost in the gutter of a giant wave.  A frothy wall of water looms over head when every road you take, takes you nowhere--unanswered emails, denied presentations, opportunities lost, rejections received, unanswered emails--all have a way of piling up.  But when you're riding high on a swell, you bask in the sunshine and catch a thrill from one wild ride.
     Thankfully new opportunities grow where others have withered and died.  One such opportunity dropped in my inbox this week.  In mid-February, I'm going to Texas to work on line items for test passages.  It's part of research on a new methodology for item writing.

Hammonasset State Beach

Recently I found this Frontline episode about climate deniers.  "The tactics that this movement uses were developed and tested in the tobacco industry first, and now they’re being applied to the climate change movement, and in fact, some of the same people and some of the same organizations that were involved in the tobacco issue are also involved in climate change."

The lacy look of a snow-dipped blue spruce

Today my recording equipment arrived and it works beautifully.  Yes! 

On 11/25/12 I emailed the legislature because I was dismayed that they were not recognizing climate change as a problem.  Here are the first two paragraphs:

As representatives of this entire nation, it is imperative that you understand the issues so you can act upon them.  Climate change is a complex problem.   In essence, it’s a chemistry problem.  Society needs to address this controversial issue now, but progress is slow because the words of scientists, writers and speakers are challenged, misinterpreted and distorted. 

As a science writer, it is my job to translate science for the general public.  I’m writing to give you a deeper understanding of this important problem.  If you need further information, I invite you to contact these organizations and talk to other climate science writers or chemists.

    

National Association of Science Writers

The Society of Environmental Journalists

The American Chemical Society

I then went on to explain the science.  Granted I could have listed a zillion websites, research facilities or scientists, but I was aiming to give them places that would explain the science in a way that politicians could understand.   I was heartened to hear these words at the inauguration, "We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations."   I'd like to think that in some small way I made a difference, but I suspect they were inundated with emails and letters after the debate where the topic was not mentioned.  It's interesting to note that now, two months later, two of the ten links in my email no longer work.    One was a university in Minnesota.  The other was a government site in Idaho.  Thankfully, it doesn't diminish the main idea.

Lake Mead

Lake Mead 55-65 years ago

Lake Mead 7/2/12

It has been a challenging week filled with lovely things like a wake, a funeral, a YouTube email complaining about a 5 year old video, new recording equipment that didn't record telephone calls, and an inability to print the return label because the printer was out of ink.  Enough!  One by one, I will get all of this straightened out.  New equipment is on the way and it can't get here fast enough.

I was hopeful when I read that the EPA revised its standards to cut soot.  According to a recent study, soot, or black carbon, "is the second most important human emission."  Carbon dioxide is #1.

The way I look at climate change is that it is like a disease.  Problems like sea level rise, declining sea ice, warmer temperatures and fierce storms are the  symptoms.  If we focus on the disease--extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere--then the symptoms will subside.  Good luck with that!     


While I was converting my mother's slides to digital, I found this old shot of Lake Mead.  Since I was out there this past summer, I thought it would be interesting to compare the two photographs.  The mountains seem to rise when the water level drops.   In this interactive map, Nevada had record breaking heat in 12 counties, 36 broken heat records and 86 wildfires last year.  3,527 U.S. weather records were smashed in 2012!   

Chasing Ice

Last night I saw Chasing Ice, a documentary about glaciers.  It offers undeniable proof that glaciers are melting and that they are melting fast.  The amount that one glacier retreated in 10 years was equivalent to 100 years of retreat in the past.  Balog's photography, especially of ice at night, was stunning.

I chose to go on skeptic night because I knew I would have something to say.  I wanted to comment on several things:

1) The website Wattsupwiththat is known for cherry picking data off of research papers and taking that data out of context.  Watts is a meteorologist, a weather person, not someone who studies the Earth's past carbon dioxide levels (see #2). 
On a website that scientists contribute to, they report, "The “climate sceptics” website wattsupwiththat, noted for their false reports" (October 4)
2)  The skeptic was a physicist.  Would you go to a geologist to get your medical problem diagnosed?
3) I wanted to focus the sold out crowd on carbon dioxide levels and emphasize and add something.

I raised my hand, but the guy gave the microphone to others in the audience.  This morning it occurred to me that my location in the theater was not easy to reach.  I would have had to get at least 10 people to stand up to get over to that microphone.  I regret that I did not stand up, go out the right side (3 people), walk across the front of the stage and up the left side.  There was no other way to get there.  I left with a knot of frustration.

Walt took this shot of a cardinal on the back deck.  The camera still works, but the auto focus is spent so you have to manually turn the lens.  The bird is a reminder to me that I need to go plant the seeds of submissions.  In 2012, I had a lousy crop and one reason is that 2010-2011 were rough years, so I didn't have the time or mindset to put down the seeds.  I decided it wasn't all me, after reading   about "The past three years of struggle and shrinkage in the publishing industry" on an I.N.K.http://inkrethink.blogspot.com/ blog post. 

This week I signed up for Twitter, mainly because I wanted to scoff my name before some other Linda Zajac got their hands on it.  You can catch me at @LindaZajac.   I also added a Twitter link on the right hand side of this website.

Lately, I'm enjoying plenty of family time and writing time too.   

After getting this detailed email about Chasing Ice, I decided to go on Saturday 1/5 instead of Friday night, weather permitting.

Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor Street in Hartford, CT.

Showtimes:

Fri. 1/4: 5pm, 7pm       Sat. 1/5: 2pm, 5pm, 7pm*       Sun. 1/6: 2pm, 5pm, 7pm      Mon. 1/7: 5pm, 7pm**

Tues. 1/8: 4pm            Wed. 1/9: 5pm, 7pm            Thurs. 1/10: 5pm, 7pm 

*Post-film presentation and Q&A with Laurence Gould after the 7pm screening. 

Laurence Gould is a professor of physics at the University of Hartford. Gould was a keynote speaker at the Heartland Institute's 2009 International Conference on Climate Change 

**Post-film discussion with Brian Glenn and the Appalachian Mountain Club after the 7pm screening. 

Brian J. Glenn is a Research Fellow at the Dukakis Center for Public Policy at Northeastern University who studies how perceptions of political issues lead Americans to support certain policies and not others. The discussion will focus on how Chasing Ice presents the issue of global warming. What are the elements of a powerful argument? Is this movie convincing, and if so, why? 

  
My free public skating trip to Hartford turned out to be a costly one.  Not only did I hurt my back really bad when I fell only once, I also crippled my camera, which was in my pocket.  Brilliant.

Thankfully, the pulled muscle is back to normal, but the camera is not.  Thus I am now posting photos from the past.   This is a mountain lion we saw at San Diego Zoo this past summer.  It was a good thing it was in a cage because it was eying and growling at a young child.   

In mid-February I'll be spending a few days at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference.  I got a press pass, which means I get in for free.  I also booked a room in Boston.  It's an opportunity to learn more about current science research and check out a conference that I've never been to.

I also joined the American Chemical Society.   I'll give it a try for a year and see how it goes.

There is also a nonfiction conference that has spurred my interest.  Once again, it's within driving distance.

21st Century Children's Nonfiction Publishing Conference, June 14–16, 2013.
State University of New York ~ New Paltz

I received an email from the Highlights Foundation about their great selection of writing workshops for 2013.

Last Sunday, with a seriously hurting back, I supervised a kids' craft session at the arts center.  Although it was exceptionally painful to get out of bed and to get into the car, I am so glad I went.  It was a diversion from the pain and also from the sadness at Sandy Hook.  The kids had such a great time that they kept coming to the table to decorate another snowflake.  The kids enjoyed it so much that I ended up making 40 more snowflakes and sending them to the siblings of the Newtown tragedy on behalf of the arts center.  I wrote the card out to the kids and included two bags of Hershey's Hugs.  It was a small act of kindness for a heartbroken town.

The sunset shot was taken as I drove by the Major Michael Donnelly Preserve in South Windsor.  I was following a friend while glancing leftward at the pink and purple sky.  Impulsively, I pulled in the lot. 

Chasing Ice - a "hauntingly beautiful" documentary

Chasing Ice

Opening Friday, January 4, 2013 at Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor Street, Hartford, CT

Acclaimed National Geographic photographer James Balog was once a skeptic about climate change. But through his Extreme Ice Survey, he discovers undeniable evidence of our changing planet. In Chasing Ice, Balog deploys revolutionary time-lapse cameras to capture a multi-year record of the world's changing glaciers. His hauntingly beautiful videos compress years into seconds and capture ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate. Traveling with a team of young adventurers across the brutal Arctic, Balog risks his career and his well-being in pursuit of the biggest story facing humanity. As the debate polarizes America, and the intensity of natural disasters ramps up globally, Chasing Ice depicts a heroic photojournalist on a mission to deliver fragile hope to our carbon-powered planet.
"As much as one may intellectually believe in climate change, to see it actually happening has the power to stun a viewer into wordlessness." - Ty Burr, Boston Globe
"The "green" teams looking into such energy sources as solar, wind and nuclear are often ridiculed. Watch "Chasing Ice" and see if you laugh." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
(USA, 76 mins, In English)
Fri. 1/4:
Sat. 1/5:
Sun. 1/6:
Mon. 1/7:
Tues. 1/8:
Wed. 1/9:
Thurs. 1/10:

I was dismayed that not one person mentioned reading my editorial, so I did a poll to find out why.   Was the word "climate change" in the title a turn off?  Not really.  Apparently the editorial's placement in Sunday's paper was less than desirable.  Most people skipped that section.  That left me less than satisfied.

Today I sent the heart of the matter to the heart of the problem.  At a little over four pages, the email was long.  The length was necessary to explain the science in a way that any reader could understand.

If that produces no results, I will conclude that some folks are not representing this entire country.

A couple of posts ago I mentioned the arboretum at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill.  These photographs were taken there.  Sunshine made the apricot (in autumn) leaves of the weeping katsura glow.  While I was waiting for plaster to dry in the casting area, I noticed this monstrous leaf dwarfing a standard oak leaf.  The woman said it was an elephant magnolia, but online I couldn't find any evidence that such a magnolia exists.  Could it be a southern magnolia? 

Climate Change in a Nutshell

I wrote an editorial about climate change for the Hartford Courant and was surprised to find it in Sunday's paper.  I whipped it up out of frustration that neither candidate was bringing up this important topic.  At the time, I didn't even consider it a clip. Here it is:

Climate Change in a Nutshell

When we crack the shell and get to the meat of the matter, climate change is not about politics and it's not about religion.

The big issue is not the cost of gasoline.  It's the level of carbon dioxide in our air.  Although carbon dioxide rose and fell in human history, it has never been as high as it is now.  Carbon dioxide is higher than at any time in the past 800,000 years.  We are way off the charts.

Extra carbon dioxide in the air is linked to higher temperatures, which affect the availability of water in many places all over the world.  Extra carbon dioxide in the air is absorbed by oceans, which causes them to be more acidic.

Increased acidity and warming ocean temperatures harm corals.  Fish from coral reefs are a source of food for more than one billion people worldwide.  Climate change is a tough nut to crack, but burying it will only make the problem grow.


* Published in the Hartford Courant (11/11/12)  and the Journal Inquirer (12/1/12 - a later version)

As of this writing, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is 391.03 parts per million and rising.

You can find current carbon dioxide levels here:

Saturday I taught a K-2 science class called Razzle Dazzle Jellyfish.  It was great fun!  I told stories, asked questions and explained hands-on activities.  The kids were enthusiastic and eager to answer questions.  They don't realize it, but they learned some pretty sophisticated science.

On 11/15 and 11/17, I'll be running a grizzly bear science class. If the weather is suitable we will be going outside for a little bit, so dress warmly if you are participating.

Also, I hope to schedule a free hands-on science program for kids.  Parents are welcome too.  I'll post those details when I arrange the class, hopefully real soon!

Dinosaur State Park - Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The big news this week is that two people nominated me for a membership in the American Chemical Society.  I am quite flattered, considering I do not have a chemistry degree like most members.  I will pursue this because it's an opportunity.  It looks good on the resume and the publications/resources will likely be helpful.        

One night this past week, I dreamed that I came to the realization that breaking into "The Club" was simply not possible.  My subconscious had thrown in the towel.  Terrific.  Perhaps deep down, my recent efforts to diversify were interpreted as moving away from the goal.  This reminded me of some lunchtime SCBWI chatter.  Someone brought up the definition of success.  Each of us had our own interpretation.  Someone said if you aren't meeting your goal, make a new goal.  I thought about those words.

What is my goal?  Is it to publish a book, educate children (and adults!) about climate change, break into new markets or something else?  It's all of those.  I have many, many goals, perhaps too many.     

How cool is that!

About a week ago, I brought a bucket filled with supplies to the casting area at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill.   I made a cast using an actual 200-million-year-old dilophosaurus print.  It took a while for my cast to set, but I was delighted when I lifted it off the rock.  Once it was dry, I lugged all that stuff back to the car.  It was pretty heavy.  Next time, I'll post some photos of a couple of interesting plants in the arboretum.

I've been watching the presidential and vice presidential debates with interest.  Granted, I'm not an expert on many of the topics they discussed, but I do know quite a bit about science and climate change.  The focus seems to be on the cost of energy when, by far, the more important issue is what are we going to do about carbon dioxide levels that impact atmospheric temperature and the health of our oceans.  This has yet to be discussed.

Here is a link to a description of a couple of kid's classes I'll be running in early November.  There will be plenty of interacting and I have lots of fun activities planned.  I hope to see you there!

Speaking of classes, I took one myself.  It was fascinating stuff that I stumbled upon while doing research for one project I'm working on.  The professor and grad students used shrinky dinks (how fun!) to explain how they are doing their work.  We poured goop called PVMS (I think that stands for polyvinylmethylsiloxane) on our designs.  After shrinking, the design was raised slightly because the ink gets denser when it shrinks.   When the plastic hardened, they cut out plastic cubes.  (top photo: butterfly shrinky dink covered in hardened plastic with a square cut out of it) After drilling holes they injected dye into the tiny channels of these reverse images.  (bottom photo: reverse image glued to glass slide with dye injected into holes)   It was a really interesting way to understand the work they are doing.     

This past week I spoke to an editor.  During the phone conversation, some of the things I mentioned got misinterpreted.  Perhaps I didn't explain my thoughts well enough or maybe the conclusions were a stretch?  For example, I may be disappointed when an editor moves out of editing science books, but that doesn't mean I'm pessimistic about the direction of the industry.  Au contraire.  This line of thinking brought me to the subject of climate change.

Often the words of scientists, writers and speakers on this controversial subject are challenged, misinterpreted and distorted.   It is amazing that despite a sinkhole of research by scientists all over the world, there are attempts to convolute the facts by mixing science with religion and politics.  As a writer who writes about climate change, I can expect that some day my words, written or spoken, may be misinterpreted, distorted or challenged.  When that day comes, I want to be ready to fire back an arsenal of proof. 

These photographs were taken at Woods Hole Mass.  One speaker discussed how eel grass was vanishing in the estuaries on the Cape.  David, my partner-in-crime, was studying an old piece of cedar found on a Cape Cod beach.    
   

In September, I worked very hard writing eight test passages that utilized new common core standards.  Since I'm not a terribly fast writer, my initial thought was that I would use research from published material to save myself some time.  No.  No.  No.  They didn't want material that the test taker may have read.  So, in a short amount of time, I did a LOT of research for a little bit of writing (less than 250 words) and I learned a tremendous amount.  The majority of my passages involved some aspect of climate change.  This pleased me immensely.

I was disappointed to learn that my ChemMatters article that was originally supposed to be published long ago, has once again been pushed off until February or April of 2013.  It will be a "clipless" year.

Today, I took a watercolor class at the new Vernon Community Arts Center.   I LOVE LOVE LOVE the place!  Yesterday, I spoke at length to the person in charge.  We nailed down some dates for the hands-on children's science classes I'll be teaching.  We decided to offer them at various dates and times to see which would draw the most participants.  These reasonably priced classes will run in November as follows:
.
Saturday  11/3     1-3pm        Jellyfish
Thursday 11/15   6 -7:30pm   Grizzly bears 
Saturday  11/17  10-12pm     Grizzly bears

I have ideas for a class for adults and I also mentioned a hands-on presentation that I would be quite happy to give, all were met with enthusiasm!

 It was feeding time in one of the labs at Woods Hole.  We got to see these miniscule anemones eating sea monkeys via the scientist's high powered microscope. 

Yosemite National Park - Panorama Trail

This past week I attended two writing-related events.  The first was a marketing seminar called "Crafting a public identity."  The audience was made up of writers, dancers, photographers, artists, and actors.  They mentioned putting the basics in place first, things like a website, email, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Check. (and no I'm not interested in Twitter).  I left pondering how to diversify, educate, and collaborate.

Yesterday, I went to a writers' luncheon where those in attendance discussed their smartest moves and struggles.  Most of the attendees wrote nonfiction.

I am dismayed at the changes in publishing.  It seems that at this time, when science is getting a bad rap, it's more important than ever to get the information out there yet there seems to be a dwindling pile of science editors on the trade side of publishing.    

The top photograph was taken on the Panorama Trail in Yosemite.  It was a beautiful trail that started at Glacier Point.  We hiked down a ridge with an easy grade and numerous switchbacks.  The first couple of miles had almost constant views of the glacier-carved valley.  We started too late to catch the Glacier Point shuttle at the bottom, so instead we hiked to the top of Nevada Falls then trucked uphill all the way back.

I think the second photo was Vernal Falls.  My size 8.5 foot was dwarfed next to a gigantic sequoia pine cone.  Yowzy!  We were at the park within the hantavirus time frame and received an email from Yosemite, but we camped far enough away from the Valley of the Mice, so it wasn't a concern.
    

I am finally at a lull and can spare some time to post.  I am quite grateful to the folks at Woods Hole for giving me the opportunity to hear scientists, learn about research and view labs and technology.  I came back all charged up to write some fresh stories.    

These photographs were taken at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.  When the land was given to WHOI, there was a stipulation in the agreement that WHOI had to take care of the pet cemetery.  My goodness they had a lot of pets.  I spotted the osprey nest on the premises, but apparently the birds don't like peeping Toms.  I was told the nest was currently unoccupied.   Afterward, I found the osprey cam website.

  One day we visited the site of some research projects such as this marsh study.  Another day, I went with another fellow to interview a scientist and wound up in the wrong building.  OMG, I haven't laughed so hard since before my mother died last year.  It was great to feel like myself again.      

Zion National Park

I'm working on some stuff that is due October 1st.  I'll tell you more about that near month's end (when I find out if I'm doing this right!).

Tomorrow morning, I'm off to Woods Hole!  I put a lanyard on the camera to hang it around my neck so it is not in my hands, but easily accessible.  If it gets too heavy, it's going in the backpack.   

These are photos of wildlife at Zion National Park.  The flower is a Sacred Datura which has many names such as moon lily and jimson weed.  It's not the only thing that wilts in the mid-day heat.  "This is a poisonous, narcotic plant that can lead to death if eaten."  It is HIGHLY toxic and I think back on how close I was to touching it when I photographed it (this is the kind of stuff that would freak out my mother when she'd read my blog!).

There are quite a few lizards in Zion.  This little guy was glued to a woman's baseball cap.  She said her friend put him on her cap and he stayed there.  Realistically, while she is walking, where is he going to go?   The mule deer didn't budge when half a dozen or more people stood there taking photographs.