According to my technology, I've walked 3,122.28 miles this year. The disintegration of several pairs of shoes now makes so much more sense. I recently bought an expensive pair of hiking boots though, so hopefully my next shoe purchase will be far in the future.
Oh, how many steps are in 3,122.28 miles? Apparently 6,132,771.
When I wasn't walking, I was reading.
This coming year, I vow to watch more films. I've been neglecting to do that lately. I've been plowing through a Werner Herzog box set during the annual pause between Christmas and the new year, so I'm off to a good start even before the ball drops.
Maybe I'll write more too. I feel like I've at least blown the dust off this site. The spiders can stay though. I never kick out spiders.
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
This report announced the disappearance of nearly a third of all North American birds. I think about this little Hermit Thrush and the journeys it makes as it migrates back and forth between its wintering grounds and its breeding grounds. I'm not sure if it makes the journey between our yard and somewhere in Canada or Alaska, or if it merely flies due east into the midwest during the summer, but either way, it makes quite a journey. The Audubon Society predicts that the effects of climate change will cause this species to lose 71% of its range (and gain 18% to the north) for a net loss of 53%.
Hang in there, little bird.
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Solstice
In roughly three hours, the pendulum starts swinging into the light again. Our Solstice day was marked by the first sighting of the Hermit Thrush that calls our yard home during the cold months. Last winter, I struggled to identify it as it lurked in the foliage. This year, with a few seasons of obsessive birdwatching under my belt, identification is rarely a problem.
Writing though, apparently is. I've more or less abandoned this site over the past year, preferring instead to spend my free time reading, listening to music, and taking pictures of birds.
Consider this yet another attempt to resurrect this site. It helps that I have the next two weeks off.
Happy Solstice, hypothetical reader. Let's swing into the light yet again.
Writing though, apparently is. I've more or less abandoned this site over the past year, preferring instead to spend my free time reading, listening to music, and taking pictures of birds.
Consider this yet another attempt to resurrect this site. It helps that I have the next two weeks off.
Happy Solstice, hypothetical reader. Let's swing into the light yet again.