While there are more than a few invasive exotics on my property, including Japanese Honeysuckle, a vine pointed out to me by my friend Fred First, of the Fragments from Floyd blog, I also have a few friends. Or, perhaps … Continue reading →
Close behind the oriental bittersweet on my list of unwanted plants is the multiflora rose bush (rosa multiflora). It was introduced in 1886 from China, Korea, and Japan as a rootstock for ornamental roses and then promoted by the federal … Continue reading →
When I was in Floyd last summer for the first time, I was astonished at how lush and green the woods were. At the time, I had no idea how much of that lushness had been contributed by an invasive … Continue reading →
Last summer, when I hired John Sutherland and his Bull Hog, I was thankful that the machine didn’t scar the landscape any more than it did. The work he did was immensely helpful, because, for the first time, I could … Continue reading →
I returned last week from my latest trip to Floyd, VA, filled with excitement that my plans are jelling and that I am making progress towards my goals. Tropical Storm Ida had posed no threat to Florida several days before … Continue reading →
In the mindless patriotism everywhere on display on Veterans Day, the true cost of militarism is deliberately suppressed by the ruling class. If the facts in the following article, by Kelly B. Vlahos, were widely known, I have no doubt … Continue reading →
This year, on Memorial Day, I posted a piece asking people not to thank me, as a veteran, for serving my country. I’ll repeat that for Veterans’ Day. This country’s gratitude does not extend to really taking care of veterans. … Continue reading →
Obama lost my vote in 2012 when he decided to send an additional 34,000 troops to Afghanistan. I’m over him – he is a silver-tongued gutless marionette whose strings are being pulled by the military-industrial complex and Wall Street. Truman … Continue reading →
My opposition to the Afghanistan war has been documented elsewhere on this blog. I served in the Vietnam War and I see far too many parallels with that war now. In the interest of increasing the exposure of Matthew Hoh’s … Continue reading →
Last Spring, I flamed out in anger after encountering the incredible short-sightedness of those who thought Tea Parties were the answer. I resolved to take some time off and I did, only coming back when Glenn Beck forced Van Jones … Continue reading →