Linda's Blogspot

  A Neutral and Natural Way of Existing. ​In today’s climate at times I find myself  remaining neutrally calm lately w hile others are polarized. I see it as a form of ecological resilience.  Like   a "buffer" existing in a high-stress social political ecosystem. Below is a blog article that captures this idea of being calm and neutral.  ​ The Quiet Power of Neutral Calm in a Divided World ​Living in today's landscape, we are constantly pressured—to "take a side." Every headline, every social media feed, and every conversation seems to demand a high emotional response. We are told that to be "engaged" is to be outraged, and to be "informed" is to be anxious. ​But there is another way of being: The state of neutral calm. ​ Neutral Calm as a Character Trait ​Neutral calm is not the same as indifference. Indifference is a turning away; neutral calm is a turning toward with a regulated nervous system. ​When I sit in a room where people a...

  The Mothers Within Us: Mitochondria, Sons, and the Story of Ancestry Inside every human being—quietly, invisibly—there is a lineage that stretches back through time. It is not written in family Bibles or recorded in census books. It lives instead in the smallest structures of our bodies: our cells. At the center of this story are the mitochondria. The Powerhouses That Carry History Mitochondria are often described as the “powerhouses” of the cell because they generate the energy that keeps us alive. But they are also something more profound. Unlike most parts of the cell, mitochondria contain their own genetic material, known as Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This DNA is unique. It does not come from both parents. It comes from only one. A Maternal Inheritance Every human being—male or female—receives mitochondrial DNA from their mother. A mother passes it to all her children A father does not pass mitochondrial DNA to his children This means that: Sons receive mitochondrial DNA from...

  Remembering the Land: George Washington Carver and the Roots of Regenerative Agriculture When people today speak about regenerative agriculture—restoring soil, respecting ecosystems, and working in harmony with nature—it is often framed as a new and innovative movement. Organizations like Bioneers bring together scientists, farmers, and thinkers to explore solutions to modern environmental challenges. But the truth is, these ideas are not new. Long before the language of “regeneration” became popular, George Washington Carver was already teaching these principles across the American South. His work was not a footnote in history—it was a foundation. A Crisis Before the Crisis In the early 20th century, American agriculture was already heading toward trouble. Farmers were encouraged to plant single crops—especially cotton—year after year. This practice drained the soil of nutrients, leaving it weak and vulnerable. Carver saw the danger early. Working at the Tuskegee Institute, he t...

  The Pulse of a Breathing Planet: How Ferris Jabr Explores the Continuity of Life, from Soil Microbes to Reforestation ​Ferris Jabr is perhaps the premier guide to understanding the complex, breathing intelligence of our planet. A contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and Scientific American , Jabr has carved a unique niche in science journalism by blending rigorous reporting with a lyrical, almost philosophical examination of the natural world. His 2024 book, Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life , serves as a defining work in his ongoing mission to prove that Earth isn't just a platform for life—it is life itself. ​Jabr’s work is particularly resonant because he avoids treating the "micro" (the cell) and the "macro" (the planet) as separate entities. Instead, they are part of the same living, self-regulating continuum. By examining his work on cellular resilience and agroecological systems, we see a complete picture of planetary health....

  Dreaming of Old New York City When Seekers, Teachers, and Dreamers Once Gathered A Conjurer’s Passage Through Memory, Spirit, and Self Characters Samantha — a 70-year-old African American woman, thoughtful, curious, rooted in spirit The Conjurer — a version of Samantha within the dream, timeless and radiant Voices of the Past — echoes of seekers, teachers, and everyday people Scene One: The Quiet Apartment (Future Time) (A soft blue light hums. The room is simple but filled with books instead of screens. A window shows a distant, glowing city skyline.) Samantha (sitting in a chair, reading aloud softly): Seventy-second Street… imagine that. People gathering not for noise… but for knowing. (She closes the book gently and looks out the window.) There was a time when New York whispered instead of shouted. When folks believed thoughts could shape life… When prayer wasn’t begging—it was becoming. (Pause) What did it feel like… to live in a city like that? (She leans back, eyes heavy...

Degrees from the Sidewalk The Street That Taught On a bright morning in Harlem , the sidewalks along 125th Street were already awake.Feet moved quickly.Voices floated through the air. Music spilled from a passing car. And right in the middle of it all stood a young girl named Nia. Nia loved to watch. She didn’t just see things—  she noticed them. She noticed how a man tipped his hat when he greeted an elder. She noticed how two friends laughed so hard they had to hold onto each other. She noticed how some people walked fast… and others walked like they had all the time in the world. “Why do people move so differently?”    Nia once asked her grandmother. Her grandmother smiled. “Because everyone is carrying something different inside.” A Different Kind of School Nia went to school like other children. She had books, pencils, and a teacher who wrote lessons on the board. But something about the street felt like a different kind of learning. One afternoon, as she walked hom...

 Degrees from the Sidewalk The Street That Taught The Street That Taught On a bright morning in Harlem, the sidewalks along 125th Street were already awake.Feet moved quickly.Voices floated through the air. Music spilled from a passing car. And right in the middle of it all stood a young girl named Nia. Nia loved to watch. She didn’t just see things— she noticed them. She noticed how a man tipped his hat when he greeted an elder. She noticed how two friends laughed so hard they had to hold onto each other. She noticed how some people walked fast… and others walked like they had all the time in the world. “Why do people move so differently?” Nia once asked her grandmother. Her grandmother smiled. “Because everyone is carrying something different inside.” A Different Kind of School Nia went to school like other children. She had books, pencils, and a teacher who wrote lessons on the board. But something about the street felt like a different kind of learning. One afternoon, as she wa...