Just when I can’t take the thievery of our Florida politicians, monetizing and robbing our public lands, fresh water, oil, black bears….spring comes! And reminds me of the true value and proper scale of Earth’s gifts. From our garden, I harvest my lunch every day: carrots more golden than the brightest coin, butter crunch lettuce, greener than any dollar. I watch the cedar waxwings do the same, swarming the … Continue
Category Archives: Advocacy
St. Vincent Island: An Anthem Last May, New Mexico composer and singer Becky Reardon and Florida’s beloved songwriter and performer Velma Frye joined me for a week to explore St. Vincent Island, on the northwest Florida coast. The island, a National Wildlife Refuge, became both inspiration and subject of an anthem written by the two musicians. I was the privileged observer of their creative process—the only observer, besides the dolphins and the wild birds. My contribution was to introduce the … Continue
I wish I could juggle a camera with a good close-up lens along with my binoculars, spotting scope, bird book and lists, so I could share with you the beautiful beings I was amongst, these last two days. But I’m not that good. Instead I’ll paint you a picture with my words. Imagine standing on the lip of Tahiti Beach, with the West Pass, a warm gale and the rising sun at your back, and miles of … Continue
This could be a story about the privilege of co-hosting Duke professor Orrin Pilkey as he toured our barrier island coast last month. I could have relayed his urgent and fascinating take on islands like ours, because Dr. Pilkey has visited most of the 2200 barrier islands on our planet. And you would have been interested in his findings, that almost every single one is thinning on both front and back sides. “I have come to think of islands as … Continue
Today, I offer you a guest post from Rev. Candace McKibben, my beloved friend and partner in all things ritual. The photos are by the always amazing David Moynahan. There’s more to come on bears, and restoring them to their deserved sacred status, but we feel satisfied with this start. This column appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat, Saturday, November 28, page 1C. The Sacredness of Life November 26, 2015 Rev. Candace McKibben About a month ago now, I was … Continue
I stood in the Suwannee River this afternoon, trying to reground myself after the tragic, state-sanctioned bear slaughter in Florida this weekend. What is this shadow we humans must cast, on every other living thing? Share On: … Continue
Dear Friends: Many, many people are deeply disturbed by the hunt planned for the day after tomorrow. Many wonder what they can do, tell me they feel powerless. Sometimes I do, too. All I know is to stay engaged and keep talking. Don’t go numb. Call your local radio stations, TV stations, use your social networking skills. Call your legislators, yet again. Call your minister, pastor, rabbi. Ask them to speak from the pulpit. Send a letter to the editor. Go to … Continue
On a Sunday evening I went for a brief walk in some coastal woods with my friends Jean and Neil. And what did we come upon? So many people are seeing mothers with young cubs, 2,3,4 young cubs. Have each of us found some way to speak for the bears? Is there another phone call you might make, to someone who might know someone with power to affect this tragic unfolding? Here is what the writer Alice Walker says: “The … Continue
This article appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat yesterday. It’s a much shortened version of the column I sent you last week. Since it’s not available on line (and why not?? Ask for it!), I scanned it for you. Please send far and wide. Be their voice….. Share On: … Continue
On the last day of August, we paddled a clear forest creek, for pleasure. The current slipped my kayak around cypress knees and beneath the arms of tupelo gum, but my mind was wrapped around black bears: just days earlier, the state wildlife agency had voted to open a hunting season on them. As we left the woods, a black bear cub galloped across the dirt road in front of our car. The young animal’s hind legs seemed longer than … Continue