Linda Nelson

It’s been a while since I last posted. More like a month has passed since I wrote about the coming March for Science. How did that go anyway? I didn’t see any big bangs taking place. While they marched I planted two new trees. A Cherry and a Honeycrisp Apple after which I moved those Cherry bushes I had been meaning to move for the past four years. They are much happier for the move. The plum tree was relocated too.

Last year we had no blossoms on our peach tree. This year we have this:

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Sorry, I haven’t been making my weekly posts. My schoolwork has kept me busy. I really dislike Microeconomics; it’s not my cup of tea. I would say that this has been my most difficult class to date. Half the questions on the quiz were not actually mentioned. You sort of need to feel your way to the correct answers even though it is a multiple choice quiz. The course is so difficult and the text we have been using is so dry, I went and purchased a different textbook in hopes that it would help me to better understand the information. If only I had thought about using a different textbook after taking the first quiz, my grade might be a bit higher.

Bitten with Binge Watching

8866613491_4bab6f26e4_b — image courtesy of Kooroshication via flickr.com

I broke down and checked out Vampire Diaries. I loved it so much that I had to watch the entire 8 season episodes in one month. I couldn’t stop watching. The show was emotionally intense. I needed that to help me understand the elements found in romance. I’ve since moved on to the spin-off series, The Originals, and I have discovered another short lived series by the same author, The Secret Circle.

Last month we joined Netflix. I’m surprised to see the changes that were made for the streaming service. I’ve found too many programs I want to watch. A co-worker introduced me to the OA and then I discovered Haven. I really enjoy the paranormal suspenseful mysterious romantic shows.

Maybe when I have my 2 week school break in September I will be able to tackle one of my abandoned/neglected manuscripts.

School has been going great even though struggling with Microeconomics. The environmental studies are interesting. I’m working on a research paper covering the Edward MacDowell Lake in Peterborough, NH. Maybe someday I will use this lake as a setting for a story.

Surprisingly, I have finished my first year of college. This term will end on May 13 and I will be well on my way with my second year of school. The extra two terms I take in the summer shortens the time it will take to finish my Bachelor degree. It has been busy and leaves me without much time for family, fun, writing, or those hobby activities like crocheting, quilting, and knitting.

The new Grandbaby is 7 months old. She is so adorable. Meanwhile, Jasmine is going to be 7 years old. I told my daughter she is catching up to me in age.

17917257_1952101435025155_8101051201548833826_o — Ava, 7 months old dressed for Easter

17904286_1951648201737145_2986406599605803785_n — Jasmine in the Pink straw hat with her friend.

In My Own Opinion

March for Science – What is the Matter?

I’m not going to go marching anywhere at the moment, but I will voice an opinion on the matter.

The plan that is going forward at this time is a massive march on Washington D.C. on April 22 which is Earth Day to bring awareness to the changes under consideration on Capitol Hill where science is concerned. Some feel that a march like the one for women’s rights that took place on January 21, 2017, will make the scientific community appear as spoiled brats complaining that they no longer have any funding for their research. (FLEUR)

I have to agree with Robert Young. He said in his article, “A Scientists’ March on Washington Is a Bad Idea,” scientists would be better off marching themselves into schools, libraries, and such to teach the public about the matters of science that the public does not know. Educate the public instead of wasting time by marching on Congress. Science and politics don’t mix. Everyone has their agenda some of which is the opposite of science. The last time Robert Young brought up the fact about climate change in a political atmosphere he and his colleagues faced slander by those whose interest which was hurt by such knowledge, such as the real-estate market. (YOUNG)

Yes, there is talk about cuts under consideration to the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and NOAA. Maybe funding can be found elsewhere by making the public aware of these agency’s needs. After all, do people know who is responsible for warning the public about tornadoes?

Maybe the suppression of information, the so-called gag orders are frightening the public. Then add the claim of the news media passing on the fake news makes many citizens want to scream about the outrageous allegations against reporting facts.

Another thought –

Could political policies be a wake-up call for the public? If NOAA does not warn about tornadoes and Hurricanes, thousands of people could die. Could political strategy involve population control?

Think about the Healthcare plan Washington almost passed the other day and the items slated for removal from being covered by Health Insurance including Medicare and Medicaid. The policy appears pointed in the direction of reducing the population of our country.

What do you think?

I will plant a tree instead of marching on April 22 to do my part in fighting climate change.

Works Cited

FLEUR, NICHOLAS ST. “‘Listen to Evidence’: March for Science Plans Washington Rally on Earth Day.” The New York Times (The New York Times Company), February 2017.

YOUNG, ROBERT S. “A Scientists’ March on Washington Is a Bad Idea.” The New York Times (The New York Times Company), January 2017.