Nature
Why Do I Go to the Beach?
Jimmy Buffet wrote, “Mother, Mother Ocean/I have heard your call.” Well, I’ve finally been asked, “Why the Beach?” I’ve tried to resist saying, “Why not?” and instead, I’ll attempt to delineate why “moonlit walks along the beach” is not just a cliché in my world.
By Barb Dukeman5 years ago in Earth
Serenity in Nature
The sound of waves lapping against the sandy beach is the only noise for miles at night on this small island just off the North Carolina coast. A cool breeze caresses my skin and ruffles my hair, bringing with it the smell of the salty ocean. Gazing across the open sea I see the moon reflected, shining on its ripples as it hangs in the sky with the night stars - a sky far from the light pollution of our cities. This is serenity.
By Adam Carden5 years ago in Earth
Chinese Rancher Makes 'green Incredible Divider' In Desert
Shi Guangyin, a farmer in the Debian region, Yulin city, northwest of China's Shaanxi province, recently received the July 1 Medal, a tribute to the Communist Party of China (CPC), for his outstanding contributions to desert management.
By Mohan Adhakari5 years ago in Earth
For The Birds
It happened so fast! Pain pulsed through my body before I could even react, as though I’ve flown full speed straight into a mountain side. Gasping for air, the earth swirled around me as I fell closer and closer to death. Helplessly fighting to lift my wings, time was running out. Was this it? Was this how it was all going to end? What would become of my babies. As, I plunged towards the ground a thermal updraft caught my wings and I managed to glide out of the blast zone. 100yrs later and still the effects of the humans linger. We surveyed this area countless times before the last move, how could I have missed this one. I must warn the others.
By Melanie Wilson5 years ago in Earth
Bonsai & Celestial Gardens
I like art that tells a story. For the truth I am not sorry. The unknown for some is scary. I love style & high culture. I like life's colorful mixture. Bonsai art's a garden feature. I adore the art of Bonsai. Miniature trees intrigue the eye. Caring for plants some don’t get why. These small trees can live very long. Each unique tree has its own song. Caring for tree there’s right, & wrong. Every tree needs the right water. Some can take cold some like hotter. Bonsai pots are like a platter. Bonsai art requires patience, true care focus & persistence. Every master needs assistance. We will make a royal garden. Where young trees mature & harden. I love to watch their fruit ripen.
By David Duran 5 years ago in Earth
The Flower Girl
Ikebana. The Japanese always seem to have it all together, don't they? For thousands of years they've been ahead of us, at least when it comes to creating Zen in their lives. Ikebana, is the Japanese art of flower arranging that began developing in the 15th century. While it did take several centuries to become a mainstay in the culture, today, it is seen as a form of therapy, allowing one to change their mood by "influencing the ambiance in their space" through floral design. Basically, it's a simple exercise in appreciation and developing an ability to notice the miraculous beauty and balance of Mother Nature; a quality that always seems to be overlooked by the majority of people racing through life at the texting speed of their thumbs.
By Sydney Chapman5 years ago in Earth
She Was Once
The click of the clasp may as well have been a rifle blast. There was nothing but smoke and ashes, tired rubble, shafted sunlight through the billowing columns - and silence. He stood at the edge of what may have once been a city. For some reason, he sensed he had once known its inhabitants - one inhabitant in particular, of whom he could almost picture delicate features, a mess of auburn hair…
By Alexandra Leigh5 years ago in Earth
The Horizon
Earth used to have three main colors: blue, green, and white. Vast, massive bodies of water blanket her celestial body. Rolling hills and mountains riddled with vibrant, green trees extended outward and upward from her skin. White, puffy clouds surrounding her, granting her a veil of mystery. At least that is what my grandmother always told me. Looking over The Horizon, these statements are hard to grasp. A black sky, covering a planet that could be confused for Mars if it were not for the brown sludge enveloping 50% of the blood red land. Looking upon Earth now is like looking at a ravaged carcass, depleted of its resources by vultures. Our forefathers tell us, the newer generation, that they “escaped” Earth and saved as many citizens as they could. That Earth’s demise was inevitable, and there was nothing that could be done. That might be harder to believe than my grandmother’s stories.
By Austin Sharrett5 years ago in Earth
