Hi all! It has been quite a long while since I have posted. Granted, there have been many Sietch topics on my mind that I have wanted to contribute but life is crazy sometimes and prevents one from doing all that one wants (read: adjusting to a new town, new job, new flat consumes every moment for a few months). Now that I am one of the State of Mass science geeks, receiving a steady pay check w/ benefits for the first time in my life after living like a carefree vagabond, I take a big breath and dive headfirst back into the cyberworld of green conversation.
The Sietch has become an excellent source of news and interest pieces for many as the Naib’s recent post demonstrated. Good that so many have found such a reliable resource. Well, I thought that maybe there needed to be a few more reviews of literature on the site to entice some more thought-provoking bloggage. So, first off, some green rags and then a green book.
Towards the end of the summer, I started to receive GOOD, a magazine that is dedicated to all that is awesome in my opinion. Ok, well maybe I should step back and be a little more objective. I have enjoyed the variety of articles that center around some of the positive change that we can see not only in the US but globally. There have been articles on political art in Palestine/Israel, the face of volunteering in the US, worm composting, Mexican wrestlers protecting the sea, … in short a lot of variety on some topics that just don’t seem to really enter the mainstream media. For comparison, I have also begun receiving E the environmental magazine, as a gift subscription. I have not completely finished the first issue I received, but in short am left feeling like it is the US and News Daily Report version of what is environmental versus the from the roots up feeling I had from reading the GOOD words of wisdom off the glossy recycled mag page. I think I will be signing up said friend for GOOD to offer her what seems to be a broader view point albeit not completely environmentally focused content wise. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised for a mag wise enough to garner readers throught the AmeriCorps alum network.
As for the green book I would like to comment on, this I feel is a must read for some Sietchers that months ago were discussing the sustainability of the food supply, backyard gardens, etc. Please read Barbara Kingsolver’s book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It is great as a resource for getting that backyard garden started even as ambitious as her family was to sign up for supplying the bulk of their perishable food needs. First off, her writing is just wonderful with great descriptions of the adventures of turkey sex, turning 50 and hosting a garden party themed by flower gifts, and especially the wisdom to incorporate the voices of her family by adding in their own vignettes. I am very excited to embark on my own crazy foodie challenge of getting the freshest, localest, and tastiest food in my new home of Gloucester. I promise to keep all posted and encourage anyone on the North Shore with tips of where and how to shop local to post some info here.
Whew! Well, that was a fast little post for y’all. Just wanted to finally get some words up on the electric page for all to see. Please add any other thoughts you may have on green mags or books to this post. Of course, maybe I’ll try and make this more of a regular addition to the Sietch scene. Word to the Naib!