New York area Eagles and Mercury levels

Bald Eagles in Catskills Show Increasing Mercury

Of course, my first thought was of the Canaries in the coal mines; it always shows up in certain species first before it trickles down to us. But what will we do now, that is my question.

 From the NYT

By ANTHONY DePALMA

 

Published: November 24, 2008

Less than two years after the bald eagle was removed from the federal government’s endangered species list, an environmental organization in Maine has found an alarming accumulation of mercury in the blood and feathers of bald eagle chicks in the Catskill Park region of New York.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/science/25eagl.html

 

Not only do I have a lovely old wreck of a house in the Catskills, but Trout fishing (and eating) are a huge draw all over the region, bringing much needed dollars and interest to the area. And what of the people who (especially these days) actually rely on seasonal venison and local fishing for feeding their families ? (and YES, I do know people who depend on the land for their food).

Chinese drywall; silent toxins

Tom Kraeutler
Mar 18th 2009 at 7:00PM

The continuing saga of homeowners facing problems with Chinese drywall continued this week with a major update by USA Today.

For those that are unaware of the issue, drywall imported from and reportedly used in homes in Florida and other states, is being blamed for off-gassing that causes damage to a home’s electrical and heating components. The materials, which were imported after a building materials shortage caused by Gulf Coast rebuilding boom in 2004 and 2005, is also reported to give off a rotten egg odor. Some have reported that it smells a bit like fireworks, not surprising since sulfur is a core ingredient.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/03/18/the-lawyers-have-landed-in-the-uproar-over-chinese-drywall/

Hello Again, I’m baaaack

It’s been a while, I know, and to those of you who missed me (or rather, even noticed) so sorry for the long lapse.

I needed to get away from all the noise, chatter, traffic and non-stop stimulation of the net. I also needed to briefly jump off the hamster wheel I’d found myself on doing the work/kids/home/work thing.

Actually, I felt sick; mentally, physically, existentially.  So I took time off, from almost everything. My blogs, my job, the copious routines that had become so routine that I barely was aware of doing any of them.

Did it help? I do believe I feel just that much less crispy-fried, if only around the edges (and those feel smoother as well).

So, YES, I do believe it did help. There’s nothing like a long, slow winter with lots of time to think to help bring light and clarity and prepare a soul for the seasons to come.