Nature Diary
It’s New Year’s Day and I began the day in my ‘warm’ dressing gown, listening to the raindrops on the roof. The last few weeks have been stormy and unpredictable, from sweltering heat to monsoonal downpours with dramatic window-rattling thunderstorms on the regular. Yesterday felt, dare I say it, a little cool. The heat has somewhat returned today, along with the rain. There’s something quite nice about being able to be cosied up inside. The original setting for my body clock sometimes reverts to its northern hemisphere seasonal schedule, especially on dark wet days like this which evoke the deep Winter gloom of January in Dublin. That said, Ireland has been unseasonably warm over December, so there you go.
Nature wanderings have been somewhat brief over the holidays, lovely local walks, but less of the longer explorations of new places that I so enjoy. There are still many treasures to be found on my doorstep. Yesterday at the local train station which is a haven for insects, I found several little beauties including this amazing little Ladybird/Ladybug. I’m almost over-awed at times by how ludicrously colorful the wildlife is here!
Read // Article - America Lost Its One Perfect Tree
I’m nearing the end of The Overstory by Richard Powers which I’ve been listening to on Audiobook for months, and months perhaps a couple of years! I dip in and out, re-listen to chapters before realising I’ve listened to that same chapter repeatedly, but forgotten large parts. The book is fantastic but in the case of audiobooks some narrators capture your attention and others don’t, sadly the latter in this case with this edition. A quick search of the audiobook reviews and there is some consensus on this. I digress, though because although I’ve read a bit about trees in non-fiction publications, this novel speaks about some of America’s great trees and their plight. The American Chestnut is one tree mentioned. I happened to google it to see how it’s fairing and came upon this great article in the Atlantic by Katherine J. Wu about the Chestnut Trees and the efforts to reinvigorate the species which is all but gone in its former habitat.
Instagram // Music - Dust to Digital
Festivities and New Year wishes feel a little hollow in light of the genocide unfolding in Palestine. In Sean O’Casey’s ‘Juno and the Paycock’, Captain Jack Boyle exclaims (with his famous malapropism) that “the whole world's in a terrible state o' chassis", of course, he means chaos. Somehow that line has become a mental footnote in my mind for when things seem as overwhelming and grim as they do now. It was a tragic comedy, that play, reflecting poverty in the wake of the Civil War, and yet its themes seem to be as alive now as they were in 1924 when it was written, nationalism, colonialism, poverty, gender, religion, and the cost of war. Except that now we have a background of climate change thrown into the mix alongside a 24-hour news cycle.
Despite the horror, there is still so much beauty to share and celebrate in the world, in nature and culture. Instagram is a portal into the best and worst of things, but you can choose what to see, who to follow, and what to engage with. I have found two beautiful and uplifting accounts in recent months. Dust to Digital is the first and I’m not sure how I didn’t find this page sooner.
April and Lance Ledbetter have run their record company since 2003 and have become, alongside their productions, a sort of digital museum of musical culture from across the globe. Each post is a sonic delight, restoring my faith in humanity and the transformational capacity of art and music across cultures. They curate submissions from many hundreds of clips sent through to their page. You could spend hours here, transported into far of lands and magical places through music, and a range of emotions. I have sobbed and laughed and been awestruck by the wonder and talent of the musicians in their clips. This is the best of Instagram.
Instagram // Food & Culture - Palestinian Grandma
Teta Um Hassan’s account byline reads “87 year old Palestinian grandma preserving & sharing her love of culture, food & family. 60+ grandkids. Tulkarm, Occupied-Palestine”
This page provides a beautiful insight into the life of this Palestinian grandmother whose matriarchal quality and grandmotherly demeanor are so familiar and heartwarming. Her slow food preparations remind me of the other wonderful Italian foodie grannies account Pasta Grannies. Teta lovingly prepares meals, preserves fruit and vegetables, speaks about her life and how she survived 1948, and how things used to be different. Another important digital repository of culture and elder wisdom that makes me wish I had recorded my dear Grandmother’s stories in the same way.
Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh - wishing you a very happy and peaceful New Year.
Natures notes is proudly written on and inspired by Dharawal Country. I recognise the Dharawal & Wodi Wodi custodians and ancestors who have an enduring connection to land, water and skies.
Always Was and Always Will be Aboriginal Land.
Thanks for tips and recommendations- lots to explore Anna - my new year resolution is to concentrate on all the positive and uplifting aspects of life - listening to music rather than the daily news and of course nature - lovely writing xx
Lovely writing! Thank you and Happy New Year from the northern hemisphere.