Had a nice hike today with a friend in L.A. We had to cut it a little short due to time constraints, but I'm glad we went. Some snow and ice on the trail, but only here and there.
Nice to sit by a stream and breathe fresh air for a bit too.
Lots of volunteers seen doing a trail cleaning day. One woman mentioned that MLK day is also a service day- we're meant to volunteer on this day. I hadn't heard this before- I hope it's not a hijacking of MLK day, but I'm sure Dr. King would approve of people doing good things for their community on this day. I plan to remember this for next year- I'd love to join the cleanup day. In any case, the trails were sparkling clean (as they should be, but due to the proximity to LA and the 45+ people we saw in our 3 miles, it's not surprising that this sort of event is required). I made sure to thank the volunteers as they came down the trail. They all looked so inspired!
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UPDATE: Thanks NPR- just heard that this day was designated as a national day of public service by Congress in 1994. I'm glad I learned that today (sad I didn't know before). Better late than never!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Advice from a much-cited scientist
Gaia loves you.
The safe question gets funded, but the best question gets cited.
Failure is fertilizer.
Critics give you gifts.
Wherever you go, there you are.
The safe question gets funded, but the best question gets cited.
Failure is fertilizer.
Critics give you gifts.
Wherever you go, there you are.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Apparently I'm not a southern belle
Here's my first pie. At least I didn't waste 2 cups of pecans entirely! I was a little afraid...
It's not perfect- a little overdone on top and underdone (?) in the middle.
I think I need to go spend some time in Georgia.
It is delicious though!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Foraging (again)
This time we located a really bountiful tree on campus. A pecan tree! It's amazing that it spends that much energy making thousands of nuts full of proteins and oils. Precious energy spent...
We were first cued in by the crows-- they were perched up top, dropping nuts! (WHOA JUST HAD AN EARTHQUAKE here!) We heard them drop them on the pavement. When we started gathering them, there was much jibber-jabber amongst them. We could almost make out what they were saying ... "Hey, those colorful moving animals are taking our food. Better try somewhere else."
In any case, I returned with probably 5 pounds of raw pecans. Perfect!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Answer- Shadows
Well the answer is: Yes, I can rule it out, since the shadow must be pointing NorthEast, whereas the mountain is southwest of me.
As to which mountain it is-- I need a compass and a map- I'll take the opposite reading (+180 degrees) to the one I mentioned as the maximum amplitude reading. Both are at school!
In the meantime, here is a picture of my dinner. Stuffed grape leaves (rice, pine nuts, garbanzos), fatayirs (spinach pies), and my own creation, pita with melted goat cheese and uncured back bacon. The latter was a nod to my hubby's need for more protein. I wanted to cook ahead for this week, so at least I have two grab-and-go items. First try on the grape leaves- not bad!
As to which mountain it is-- I need a compass and a map- I'll take the opposite reading (+180 degrees) to the one I mentioned as the maximum amplitude reading. Both are at school!
In the meantime, here is a picture of my dinner. Stuffed grape leaves (rice, pine nuts, garbanzos), fatayirs (spinach pies), and my own creation, pita with melted goat cheese and uncured back bacon. The latter was a nod to my hubby's need for more protein. I wanted to cook ahead for this week, so at least I have two grab-and-go items. First try on the grape leaves- not bad!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunsets, angles and amplitude
In looking at my photo from the other day, and my guess that the mountain in the second photograph was Mt. San Jacinto, I decided to use a little detective work to figure out what mountain it is.
Of course, I could probably just look on a map and guess, but that's not as fun, and directions and distances can be deceiving. Serendipitously, my shadow was pointing straight towards the mountain in the photograph.
The facts I gathered, some extraneous and not needed (and correct I hope!):
I was in a park that is about 34 degrees north latitude.
The photograph was taken a few days before the winter wolstice (we'll call it close enough).
The sun is hovering over 23.43 degrees south latitude at the winter solstice (the Tropic of Capricorn).
The sunset "travels" at 1041.67 miles-per-hour at the equator ("slower" as you go north).
The maximum amplitude of the sun for this latitude is 28 degrees north/south (according to: The Essential Wilderness Navigator, by David Seidman and Paul Cleveland). This means that the greatest difference from a true west sunset (270 degrees) at this latitude is 28 degrees.
Mt. San Jacinto is east-southeast of here, about 100 degrees. Can I rule it out?
Stay tuned for the answer.
Of course, I could probably just look on a map and guess, but that's not as fun, and directions and distances can be deceiving. Serendipitously, my shadow was pointing straight towards the mountain in the photograph.
The facts I gathered, some extraneous and not needed (and correct I hope!):
I was in a park that is about 34 degrees north latitude.
The photograph was taken a few days before the winter wolstice (we'll call it close enough).
The sun is hovering over 23.43 degrees south latitude at the winter solstice (the Tropic of Capricorn).
The sunset "travels" at 1041.67 miles-per-hour at the equator ("slower" as you go north).
The maximum amplitude of the sun for this latitude is 28 degrees north/south (according to: The Essential Wilderness Navigator, by David Seidman and Paul Cleveland). This means that the greatest difference from a true west sunset (270 degrees) at this latitude is 28 degrees.
Mt. San Jacinto is east-southeast of here, about 100 degrees. Can I rule it out?
Stay tuned for the answer.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Magic Time!
I had a lovely walk with my dog in the park today. Great views of snow on the mountains, just when the "sunset spotlight" was shining on the hills... I love it. The snow was down to maybe 3000'- although I'm not sure. That's Mt. San Jacinto in the distance with snow. These are pics from my blackberry- not bad!
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