From Harper’s Findings, January 2019:<\/p>\n
Orangutans spontaneously create hooked tools.<\/em><\/p>\n An Irish swan grieving the death of his mate was stopping cars to rest his head on their hoods.<\/em><\/p>\n Back when I was singing art songs, I learned the 1612 “The Silver Swan,” lyrics by Orlando Gibbon, music by not entirely sure. From this came the expression “swan song”:<\/p>\n The silver swan who, living, had no note, Leaning her breast against the reedy shore, \u201cFarewell all joys, O death come close mine eyes. Lovely tune, too. I’m humming it as I type.<\/p>\n But then we get to un-lovely news about mammals, some of which may be us:<\/p>\n Mammals cannot out-evolve the current mass extinction.<\/em><\/p>\n “Current mass extinction”???? Wait — current?? When did we start this? Why didn’t somebody tell me?<\/p>\n And then the thoroughly horrendous news how our current eating habits will send us all into deadly danger, SWOOP YIKES:<\/p>\n A study in Nature concluded that a lack of change in human diet will drive Earth “beyond the planetary boundaries that define a safe operating space for humanity.”<\/em><\/p>\n I just ate some pumpernickel, lox, tofu veggie spread and V8 juice. I’m doing my own best to keep Earth within the safe operating space for all of us.<\/p>\n Are you on board?<\/p>\n What are you eating for dinner?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From Harper’s Findings, January 2019: Orangutans spontaneously create hooked tools. An Irish swan grieving the death of his mate was stopping cars to rest his head on their hoods. Back when I was singing art songs, I learned the 1612 … Continue reading
\nwhen death approached, unlocked her silent throat.<\/p>\n
\nthus sung her first and last, and sung no more:<\/p>\n
\nMore geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.\u201d<\/p>\n