What’s Going On?
With a possible government shutdown looming, Covid cases going up (and it looks like I will be responsible for a freaking co-pay when I get my booster), and the felling of the Sycamore Gap Tree, I can’t even think yet of what to say or suggest in the following What to Do section. (But I am sure I will think of something.)
Shutdowns and copays for something that is (unfortunately) no longer considered to be causing a public health emergency are bad enough, but the TREE. That just makes me so sad for all of us.
In case you have not heard, this beautiful tree, located in Northumberland, UK, was felled, apparently by a teenage boy. See Boy, 16, arrested after felling of famous Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian’s Wall.
For some gorgeous “before” and heartbreaking “after” pictures, see “Hadrian’s Wall Sycamore Gap tree – in pictures.”
Sophie Henderson a North East UK-based landscape photographer for whom the tree has been a subject, has this to say in her recent post on Instagram:
Well words can't describe how heartbroken I am at the news that Sycamore Gap has been deliberately felled over night. I know to many it's just a tree, but to me it was so much more. My logo is based on that beautiful tree and it's been such a huge part of helping me grow my business - it has been without doubt one of my most popular subjects, which just shows how loved it was. One of my career ambitions was to photograph the Northern lights behind Sycamore Gap, so I am so relieved that I finally was able to achieve that just a couple of weeks ago.
It scares me that someone would do this, I just can't understand why.
It scares me, too.
What to Do?
I am sure there are similar programs in the UK, but the National Wildlife Federation offers Connecting Kids and Nature programming that focuses on our kids here in the USA. Such programming helps improve the physical and mental health of young people, as well as teaches respect for nature. Such as trees….
To support such programming, click Here to go to their donation page.
Prefer to send important messages directly to Congress? Here’s your chance.
You will find many options on this page:
Take Action | National Wildlife Federation Action Fund (nwfactionfund.org)
What to Read?
Not just one thing to read, but I have a URL for you that will lead you to seemingly endless possibilities.
Background: I wanted to find a royalty/copyright-free image of the Sycamore Gap Tree for this week’s newsletter. I recently learned that the Smithsonian Institution offers all kinds of media via Smithsonian Open Access.
What a national treasure!
While I was unsuccessful in finding a royalty-free image of the Sycamore Gap Tree via the Smithsonian by typing in “sycamore gap tree,” I then decided to type in the word “squash” to see what would come up, just for fun.
The second listing under websites was an article titled “Study reveals ancient link between mammoth dung and pumpkin pie.” How’s that for a scintillating title?
Actually, it is a fun article that, in its URL, refers to it as a Thanksgiving Fun Fact.
Here is the URL for the Open Access page: https://www.si.edu/openaccess
If you want hours of entertainment, you will find it here.
What's Cooking?
Last week, I mentioned that I was working on an article about grain-fed versus grass-fed/pasture-raised beef. I discovered that it is a HUGE subject. I am still researching the subject, along with the related regenerative farming, as well.
For now, my take is that we should all eat less meat but, if we can afford it, eat grass-fed beef for its higher nutritional value. And, as I also mentioned last week, pasture-raised buffalo has an even higher nutritional value, albeit, with the lower fat content, you need to learn how best to cook it.
Here is a recipe that will work with either beef or buffalo short ribs. Both are high in fat, but the recipe, while rich, extends the “meat per serving” ratio and it makes a FABULOUS gravy!
Disclaimer: As you can see by my scribbles on the recipe that I share below as an image, I make it using a pressure cooker. But it will, I am sure, be as tasty done in the oven as directed.
It is DELICIOUS.
This recipe card is courtesy of Yankee Farmers Market from which you can order all kinds of pasture-raised meats. Fancy some elk or venison? This is your source for such, along with beef, buffalo, pork, and more.
What Else?
It is almost October. I thought I had picked my last zucchini. But Nooooooo.
Good thing I have plenty of recipes and ways to freeze this prolific squash. And good thing my husband and I like it!
For all the stressful things in this world, nature keeps providing wonder.
Be kind,
Wendy