Accent on Natural Landscaping

Donna VanBuecken

International Day of the Girl 2018

As I was reviewing my blog posts during the past few weeks, I realized I missed the International Day of the Girl for 2018. It was October 11th. I had been saving a special link just to share on this day, but I guess it’s appropriate for any day not just this special girl’s day.

If I had a daughter, I would like to think I would have shared this list with her.

A Playlist for My Daughter: 15 Songs to Empower Girls

By the way, this year’s theme for International Day of the Girl was With Her: A Skilled Girl Force. Regardless of the day, we women should “stand with girls everywhere as they inspire, innovate and take charge of their own future.”

“They are innovating technology to solve global challenges, they are standing up for the environment, they are raising their voices against violence and they are preparing to run for office.”

“…they persist, they succeed.”

Quotes above from International Day of the Girl.

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But There’s Not a Lot of Nature Any More

Doug Tallamy says a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) pair brings 390-570 caterpillars to their young per day for 16 days. Photo by Doug Tallamy.

Dr Doug Tallamy, Wild Ones Honorary Director and Entomologist with the University of Delaware,  appeared before the State of Pennsylvania Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. He had a lot to say about the major role homeowners and landowners need to play if we are to continue to persist on this Earth. Doug told the committee: [Read more…]

Dancing Feet

I grew up in a household filled with dance music. My parents loved to dance and if they couldn’t find a dance to go to somewhere on the weekend, they’d “cut the rug” right there in the kitchen. So you can imagine my delight when Teresa Hanfin brought this awesome video to my attention through her Fast Forward newsletter. To the song by Bruno Mars, “Old Movie Stars Dance to Uptown Funk.” Enjoy!

Thanks, Teresa, for helping me relive some really old, but really good memories!

P.S. It may be difficult to believe, but I believe I have seen almost all of the movies used in this mash-up.

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Lorrie Otto 99 Years

Lorrie Otto in the sand prairie she created in her yard using the sand sandwich method described on page 117 of Ney Tait Fraser’s book Mending the Earth in Milwaukee. Photo used with permission from Ney Tate Frasier.

I noted on my calendar Lorrie Otto would have been 99 years old on Sunday, September 9, 2018. Although she is gone, I think of her almost daily as I wonder through or look over my yard. If she hadn’t been so feisty, I would never have had the opportunity to enjoy the environment we do. [Read more…]