GMO Food Concerns: Research to Ponder

GMO Food Concerns: Research to Ponder

It’s taken me awhile to write this one because it’s such a complex issue — and I wanted to better understand it. I still have questions but what I’ve found so far is concerning. And too many people are not talking about it. It’s the rising use of pesticide/herbicide use — and resulting problems — as more genetically modified (GM) are developed and used in agriculture.

The good news is here in California where I live, we will have the opportunity in November to vote on a Right to Know initiative regarding genetically engineered foods.   [Read more...]

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Great Spots/Hikes: Grout Bay in Big Bear CA

Great Spots/Hikes: Grout Bay in Big Bear CA

I’ve stopped several times at Grout Bay on the north side of Big Bear Lake – and always want to come back. The last time was Tuesday morning where except for one person reading at a picnic table, and one person fishing, I had the place to myself.

What I like: There are hills to explore, great views of the lake, plenty of picnic areas, and no shortage of ducks and other wild fowl. [Read more...]

Butterflies (So CA focus) and How to Attract Them

Butterflies (So CA focus) and How to Attract Them

It’s a rare person who doesn’t get excited when a butterfly flits by. Lately we’ve had a lot of Western Tiger Swallowtails flying around our property, which makes sense because we have the host plant  – sycamore — that it needs to lay its eggs and for its caterpillar stage. Plus we have plenty of buckwheat and yarrow all summer long that provide nectar for local butterflies.

Today I attended a talk “Butterflies of the Los Angeles Basin[Read more...]

Did you know: 1600 bee species in California?

Did you know: 1600 bee species in California?

I visited the Living Desert Museum in Palm Desert the other day and came across an exhibit on bees that stated the following fact:

There are over 1600 species of bees in California.

Now I find that amazing – 1600 out of an estimated 4000 worldwide. It went on to say that 100 different species were living around the plants growing in the exhibit. I asked Dr. Robin Thorp, entomology professor of University of California-Davis some questions [Read more...]