mdking's blog

Did you know your garden is an investment in your health?

Here’s a quote from an interview in Wilderness Magazine with Dr. Frances E. Kuo, Director of the Landscape and Human Health Laboratory at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign:

"Our studies document that not only is there an affinity for the natural world, but being in its midst improves our physical and mental health. Scientists have found less stress, more self-control, more co-operation with others, greater mutual trust, quicker recovery from illness, and other benefits.

I also believe that unstructured time outdoors is important in developing children's capacity to explore, learn risk management and become independent."

When great minds pass on, I stop and think about not only what they did but how they did it. The recent news tributes to Dr. Harvey Coover, who died on March 27, really caught my attention. What was his claim to fame? Don’t laugh—he was the inventor of that infamous material called Super Glue, a super sticky adhesive in a little tube that is found in most households today.

You could probably name dozens of situations when you want two broken parts or materials put back together and not have those pieces come apart again. My list includes stuff like damaged toys, shoes, tools, kitchen gadgets, furniture, dishes, etc. Did you know that Super Glue is also used to seal wounds and heal bone fractures?

Now that it’s March, I’m fired up about March Madness, which starts next week. You see, I’m a college basketball lover, and the NCAA tournament is something I look forward to each year – Woohoo!

What’s so special about college basketball? First of all, sitting in the crowd, feeling the momentum of a game, and catching the buzz of enthusiasm en masse all contribute to a recipe for great fun. Watching the action, it’s clear that these young athletes aspire to excel so they can win.

You’ve undoubtedly been following the story of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot while enthusiastically greeting community members in Tucson, Arizona on January 8, 2011. What began as a tragedy has been transformed into a miracle. Like many of you, I’ve been watching the news--anxiously waiting to hear the latest updates about those injured in the brutal attack. I am convinced that Rep. Giffords’ survival, despite being shot in the head at point blank range, is testimony of her strong “will to live.” Of course, the outpouring of support from family, friends, and the entire nation has been a contributing factor, but I think it starts with her.

With Americans using 30 billion bulbs to decorate their homes during the holidays, December is certainly the season of lights. With the simple flick of a switch, shimmering lights transform many communities into dazzling light shows. *

But this blog post is about a very different kind of light show. On December 21 an awesome display of natural light appeared in the night sky. On the winter solstice, the official start of winter, a magnificent lunar eclipse occurred. Not one to miss unusual celestial events, I got up out of my warm bed at 3 am, donned my bathrobe and slippers, grabbed my binoculars, and stepped outside. Believe it or not, I hardly noticed the crispy 18 degree air because I was immediately captivated by what I saw peeking through the wispy clouds. High above me reigned “bella luna.” The alignment of earth and moon was just right that night for a total lunar eclipse. What was happening? The earth’s shadow was gradually swallowing up the beautiful full moon. But wait, moonlight soon reappeared on the other side, and that brilliant round ball slowly re-emerged from the shadow.