Seeing The Future In The Past: Native American Women And Science

Tohono O'odham Woman - Tucson, AZ  2019

Since 1990, Americans have recognized November as Native American Heritage Month. In this piece, I am going to maintain the respectful acknowledgement that this calls for. I do this despite the recent proclamation that November will now be called,“National American History and Founders Month”.  I mean, c’mon…

I arrive at my topic today via a suggestion from a colleague, Anissa. Our Anissa is an active member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. The Yaquis (or Yo’emen) have lived in our part of southern Arizona and neighboring northern Mexico since at least 552 AD (for their history as told by the tribal historian, go here). Of course, there was no US/Mexico border then and, to this day, Yaquis traditionally disregard it as an abstract construct. They maintain communities on both sides and travel back and forth at will. For obvious good reasons, Anissa is proud of her deep-rooted heritage and wholeheartedly participates in tribal life. She especially loves to watch the Deer Dancer, an ancient and moving experience (here is a video). Beyond her indigenous roots, Anissa is very much a modern, educated and forward-thinking woman. Her degree in Bio-Engineering no doubt played a part in suggesting I write about Native American women scientists.

Yaqui Deer Dancer

Native Americans and scientists may not seem a natural pairing to many people, but let me assure you that nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, there a great many things that were invented or developed by native peoples long before Columbus was anywhere near our continent. Some of the things that are an integral part of our lives today we owe to the indigenous scientists of the American continent. A short list would include anaesthetic, chocolate, aspirin, hammocks, chewing gum and gold plating. As it turned out, they may have been better off without the gold plating. Europeans, unfamiliar with the concept of plating, believed that everything glittery was solid gold and their gold fever outweighed the actual gold resources. This led to dire consequences for those that could not produce the desired, unreasonable amount. Native Americans also developed the agriculture for many foods that are now essential resources world-wide. The very short list of these includes potatoes, corn, beans, chili peppers and squash. The peoples that gave all these things to the rest of the world may not have had labs to work in or data to input, but they were
scientists nonetheless.

Women played a huge role in ancient contributions to the sciences. They were the ones who cared for and fed the families and knew how, where and when to do so. In more modern times, Native American women have stepped forward to lead their communities. Here are a couple of exceptional ladies from the not-so-distant past:

Mary Golda Ross

Mary Golda Ross (1908-2008) – Engineer/Cherokee – This figure in US aviation history was hidden from public acclaim for decades. A good portion of this was, of course, because she was a woman of color; but much of her work was (and still remains) classified. Complicated math came easy to her and she put this skill to good use developing fighter planes during WWII and, later, to getting Man to space. Before college, she went to Cherokee schools and gave credit to their cultural insistence on equal education for boys and girls for her initial push towards STEM. For more on this fascinating lady, here is a short article – it also contains a fun video of her on a game show back in the day. One more thing: She has her own Google Doodle.

Susan La Flesche Picotte

Susan La Flesche Picotte (1865-1915) – Doctor/Omaha – This pioneering woman was the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, doing so at the age of 24. The daughter of the last recognized chief of the Omaha (Joseph La Flesche, aka Iron Eye), she was inspired by the lack of and racist quality of health care among her people. After earning her degree,she worked tirelessly on the reservation as its only doctor, often serving over 1,000 patients. In time, she and her husband opened the first private hospital on a reservation. She died too young at 50, but she remains beloved in her community.

Roslyn LaPier

These women are stand-outs for their intellect and dedication to learning. They are a strong link to the same type of modern Native American woman in the scientific field today. For Anissa (who is currently working on her Master’s in Plant Biology), I have chosen to highlight the following women who are reclaiming native plants for their cultural significance, health benefits and food security:

Rosalyn LaPier – Blackfeet Nation – She researches Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology, specifically the medicinal qualities of plants and Native American beliefs. Dr. LaPier has also been a researcher at the Harvard School of Divinity, where she wrote this interesting and edifying article on science and religion in Native American cultures. If that is not enough, she is also an environmental activist and speaker. Here is a video of her speaking at the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science 2017 conference.

Robin Wall Kimmerer

Robin Wall. Kimmerer – Citizen Potawatomi Nation – The list of things this dynamic woman researches and teaches is way too long for me to do it justice by summarizing it. But, I’ll do my best: Dr. Kimmerer studies the role of ecological knowledge in ecological restoration, the ecology and restoration of culturally significant plants and (whew!) integrating scientific tools and indigenous philosophy to benefit the people and the land. She also the founding director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, which creates programs that use a combination of traditional science and indigenous knowledge to move towards a shared goal of sustainability. And she researches mosses. I am sure I’ve missed something; I encourage you to learn more about her here.

Linda Black Elk

Linda Black Elk – Catawba Nation – This ethnobotanist, restoration ecologist and activist is truly a 21st century woman. She has many YouTube videos and regularly posts articles online. In this way, her voice carries beyond the Standing Rock Reservation, where she lives with her family, and Sitting Bull College where she teaches. She is the Ethnobotanist for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and is very active in promoting tribal food sovereignty and better health through the use of native plants. Lately, she has been vocal and involved in the ongoing fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Here she is talking about the spirits in plants.

For all of these strong women, there are others that are equally strong but whose voices are never heard. There are also many dazzlingly successful Native American men. Nevertheless, the vast majority of the traditional guardians of the land we call home are still stymied by poverty, prejudice and lack of opportunities. During this month especially, take some time to appreciate what came before us Europeans and open your mind to those who are with us today.

Submitted by Pam

Winter is Coming – And The Bugs Know It

You may think that the worst of your insect worries are gone now that we are heading to winter; I’d like to suggest that you reconsider that notion. Late fall and early winter bring a whole slew of new characters into play and these insect pests can be just as pesky and potentially dangerous as those warm weather bugs. With the extreme weather predicted for much of the US in the next week, the time to address pests is now.

It is very tempting to just pack insect worries away with the swimsuits, but this no-action plan can have some unpleasant consequences. For the most part, insects that are around in the winter are hibernating out of sight and not dead from the cold. Mosquito eggs, for instance, can survive in frozen water.  Granted, there is some cold weather die-off, but many more have found warm havens. Often, they do a little mating while they’re at it, so that they have nice fat bundles of babies when spring arrives. In other words, the numbers that go into a house can be far less than what will come out in the spring. A spring spider infestation could take all the pleasure out of those long-awaited warm days and a bumper crop of blood-suckers can exponentially increase your chances of exposure to dangerous diseases. So, when you batten down your hatches against the weather, take some extra time to be sure that you have kept insect pests out.

Stink bugs on a pumpkin

Many participants in the Fall Crawl of insects are brazen return visitors. These include Asian lady beetles (not to be mistaken with plain old ladybugs), boxelder beetles and stink bugs, all of which congregate in swarms on walls and screens of homes and other buildings. If they are in your neighborhood, they are hard to miss. They are also hard to control, especially in the adult stage and in such large numbers. But, Asian lady beetles and stink bugs are invasive species (the boxelder is a homegrown troublemaker), so you will want to stop them if you can. Your best course of action if they are knocking on your door is to not let them in. Whatever you do, don’t attempt to squash your way out of an infestation of Asian lady beetles or stink bugs, both species emit a noxious odor when threatened. Your best weapon in this war is a vacuum cleaner – suck up any and all you can find. Here are some suggestions on ways you can seal out bugs.

Not all insect pests are as obvious as those mentioned above, many find ways to smuggle themselves into the cozy confines of your home. Before you dig out those boxes of winter clothing, oversized platters for Thanksgiving or trunks of Christmas ornaments, consider what you may be bringing into your home with them. Give everything a quick inspection before moving or relocating it. The following are some useful steps to avoid transporting unwelcome guests:

Store firewood at least three feet from your house. It may mean a chilly wood retrieval trip, but it will deter insects from making that same chilly jaunt into the house. If it’s placed too close to or up against the house, you give burrowing pests a platform to get busy on your brick or woodwork. If you can keep it off the ground, that's even better. It will make the wood less accessible to termites and other soil-dwelling pests. Once you bring the wood inside, use it within 48 hours; storing it any longer can just encourage already-inside pests to set up house.

Pantry pests can arrive to your home in groceries and other packages. During the holidays we bring a lot of this inside. Shake out all bags before storing them or putting them in your trash can. Just as their name indicates, pantry pests can happily live in pantries and other storage. If you head down into the cellar or out to the garage to fetch some of the goodies you put up in the summer, keep an eye out for anything that may be nesting there (or attaching itself to your clothing to get inside). Here are some products that can help with these type of pests.

Standing water is an insect magnet. Eliminate it inside and out. There does not have to be much for an insect to take an interest – even the condensation from an appliance is enough.

Recycling and trash bins in garages, attached to or too close to the house can also be insect beacons. Move them away from the house and keep them as clean as possible. Ants, especially, can go undetected until they use a scent trail to call in their whole colony. Then you’ve got a fight on your hands.

This is an excellent time of year to remove debris and cut back branches that make contact with your house. It is an easy insect commute from the branch to the house.

Now, let’s talk Christmas trees: Some people are never-plastic tree people and others are diehard artificialists. If you are still in the middle and insects give you the creeps, you may want to go fake. There are many insects commonly found on and in trees that will dislodge themselves and try to make your nice, warm home their nice warm home. It is a common practice for the Christmas tree industry to spray highly toxic insecticides (although many are moving away from this) on their trees, but this spraying takes place in the spring and summer; it is quite possible for insects to find their way back in before Christmas. Some tree lots have shakers, which aim to dislodge any intruders, but I wouldn’t depend on that too much as many pests will be inside the bark holding on tightly. If you are taking a tree from the forest, you are quite likely bringing home more than memories. A small, live tree that you can easily inspect for pests is the surest way to get an insect-free evergreen. Plus, when you plant it outside after the holiday, you are doing a small favor to the environment. This article lists some of the more common Christmas tree pests (a tree can have 25,000 bugs!), how to stop them and some preventative measures you can take before bringing the tree in. They recommend Diatomaceous Earth and Neem Oil-based sprays, which we have here and here. In some part of the country, there is a real worry that the invasive Spotted Lanternfly may be spread through Christmas trees. Read more about that here.

There are, of course, mammal pests that wiggle their way into homes. Rodents of all kinds prefer a toasty house to a drafty den. But, if you take the steps to seal and protect your home from insects, you will be doing a great deal to discourage furry intruders as well.

Stay warm and pest free (not counting relatives)!

Submitted by Pam

Magic, Memory and Art in Symbols of the Day of the Dead

Last year at this time, I wrote a blog on the history and culture behind the Méxican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations on November 1-2. My position on this topic is unchanged: I believe that any celebration is made deeper and more fulfilling by understanding and appreciating its roots. For this reason, I am expanding on last year's blog and looking at some of the symbols of the Day of the Dead. In celebrating this special occassion, the hope and belief is that loved ones who have passed away will come back for a quick visit and most of the icons surrounding this celebration are an effort to entice them to do just that.

An Ofrenda

Most Americans outside of the Méxican community have probably not seen an ofrenda before, but they are an essential part of traditional Day of the Dead celebrations. These displays are set up to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. Ofrendas can vary wildly - they can be over-the-top big and elaborate or can take up a small corner in a family home, but the purpose of most of the items displayed remain constant (here are some really cool ones). Within these key elements are items that have become recognizable to the population at large. There are other elements that are regionally specific and many, like the puppy, have deep roots in Mesoamerica and are of special importance to indigenous communities. The mystically magical themes of Day of the Dead are all tied to those ancient people of the region. Modern México brings the Art to the party – as visual enticement to the spirits and because everything is just more fun when it comes colorfully decorated.

Gravesite  Gathering

Every true ofrenda includes a nod to the four elements of water, fire, earth and wind. These items are often are laid out in a cross to show the cardinal directions and guide the spirits (this cross can also be interpreted as one of the many uniquely Méxican Catholic-Pagan mash-ups).

Water is left out for the spirits to quench their thirst after their long journey from the Afterlife. Liquor or beer may also show up, if that was the target spirit’s preferred thirst-quencher.

Candles are the fire – they represent hope and faith but are also signal fires guiding spirits on their way. The number of candles can show how many souls are being welcomed and the colors of the candles have meanings as well. Candles also appear outside the ofrenda; they can be seen marking paths to homes or in graveyards to form a spirit runway for them to see the route back home.

Pan de Muerto

Earth is represented by the earthly need and pleasure of food. The food being offered can be the favorites of a beloved ancestor (perhaps candy for a lost child) or regionally traditional dishes. The spirits cannot eat the food, of course, but it is believed that they can enjoy the sight and smell of it and remember its taste fondly. Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) is ubiquitous on ofrendas and has become popular all over North America. These sweetish, semi-spherical rolls or loaves are typically decorated with skulls, bones and the like. Want to create some traditional Day of the Dead food? Look here.

Papel Picado

Colorful Papel Picado (Pecked Paper) represents wind. You have probably seen this in a Méxican restaurant or two, but is much more than a pretty banner. Although these banners are used in other celebrations, for the Day of the Dead the colors blowing in the wind stand for important cultural values: orange for mourning, purple for Catholicism, red for warriors and women who die in childbirth, green for young people, white for little children, yellow for the elderly and black for death or the underworld. Other times, the colors are simply the green, white and red of the Méxican flag. As the Papel Picados flutter in the wind, they send welcomes, hopes, prayers and pride out into the universe.

Items such as portraits and cups are commonly seen on ofrendas throughout the region. Others are seldom seen outside of certain parts of México. Here is an interesting list of some of those. But, there are two symbols whose reach extends beyond the ofrendas, into the graveyards and streets and across North America and beyond – Marigold flowers and Sugar Skulls:

Marigold Harvest

Marigolds (or the Cempasúchil in México) are also known as Flor de los Muertos (Flower of the Dead). These vibrantly colored, fragrant flowers have been cherished in México since ancient times. The Aztecs attributed both mystical and medicinal qualities to this flower and used them in celebrations of the dead way back then. When the Spaniards arrived in the 1500s, they sent marigold seeds back to Europe with other appropriated goods. Like many of the other plants they sent from México, marigolds were a hit and are now a part of cultures far removed from this hemisphere (go here for a short read on this and some lovely marigold field pictures). The appeal of marigolds has not abated and today their strong scent and bright colors are seen as a beacon to guide spirits home and, because they bloom at this time of year, they are readily available for every seasonal decoration. These traditional blooms have spawned a million flower ideas, including the ever-popular paper flowers.

La Muerta

Sugar Skulls are little confections that are traditional gifts for children (living and dead) and their bright, beautiful and whimsical decorations are meant to appeal to the playful nature of children. Like marigolds, they are on ofrendas and everywhere else. Sugar Skulls, along with La Catrina and her over-sized hat, have spawned endless variations. Here in Tucson, we even have an indoor football team named the Tucson Sugar Skulls. Full Disclosure: I’m a sucker for a good skeleton design.If you want to try your hand in making some,  here is a video.

Méxicans are not the only people to believe that the divide between this world and the next thins out in the next few days, Celtic peoples thought so 2,000 years ago. Modern Halloween and the Catholic observance of All Soul’s Day both have roots in these ancient beliefs. So, take some time over this weekend to remember those you’ve loved and lost. You never know who may be waiting on the other side to come visit.

Submitted by Pam

10 Halloween-Worthy Insect Names

As anyone who has ever taken even a cursory look at insects knows, many of them live quite gruesome lives. They are the terrors of the micro world they live in. Sometimes their behaviors are reflected in the common names given them, other times relatively benign insects are saddled with frightening names and still others have hideous names whose origins are not at all clear. Many of these names are regionally specific as well. Let’s look out some of these fiendish sounding creatures:

1) Assassin Bugs (Zelus renardii) – We sell oodles of these all day on our site. Their aggressive homicidal tendencies make them especially effective predators for many soft-bodied insect pests. For more about them, check out their page here.

Coffin Cutter

2) Coffin Cutter (Ocypus olens) – This decidedly cemetery-ish name is just one of the many sinister names that this Rove beetle goes by. It’s most commonly known as the Devil’s Coach Horse, but its AKAs also include Devil’s Coach Whip, Devil’s Footman and Devil’s Coachman. It doesn’t sting, but can deliver a hard bite with its large pincers. It also lift its tail up like a scorpion and spews a foul-smelling liquid from its abdomen when threatened. I found a neat little limerick about this bug by Janet MacConnaughey: 
      Satan's horses, no rinky-dink ginks,
     Are huge bugs, glossed with devilish inks.
     Devil's coach-horses (grubbers
    And hunters); and lubber
    (His horses) can also spew stinks.

Cow Killer

3) Cow Killer (Dasymutilla occidentalis) - AKA: Velvet Ant. Both of these names are misleading. They do not really kill cows and they are not really ants. Instead, they are wasps with a sting that feels (to those unfortunates that have felt it) powerful enough to kill a cow. The female has the stinger and stays on the ground, while the male has wings but no stinger (doubtless a good thing). These furry, red and black bugs pose no real threat to humans, unless you interfere with a female as she scrambles around searching for a place to lay her eggs. In which case, you probably deserve it. For more on this wasp that parasitizes bees and other wasps, go here. If you want to see someone foolishly subjecting himself to a sting, here’s one for you.

Death's Head Moth

4) Death’s Head Moth (Acherontia spp) - AKA: Hawk Moth, Death Moth. Many people are familiar with this moth; it played a role in the movie Silence of the Lambs. Apparently this formidable-looking creature loves honey and has a sweet little squeaky voice (something like if a cross between a rabbit and a cicada). Having a voice is fairly uncommon in moths, enough so that scientists have been studying it. Here is a quick read on what they’ve learned – and there is also an audio clip of the voice.

Ear Cutter

5) Ear Cutter – Dragonfly – AKA: Ear Sewer, Ear Needle, Devil’s Dragon, Horse Stinger, Mule Killer, Bee Butcher. According to this article, these are just some of the regional names used for dragonflies in the US. The myths surrounding dragonflies are much more extensive, and darker, than I ever knew.

Hickory Horned Devil

6) Hickory Horned Devil (Citheronia regalis) – There’s no mystery about the nickname here – these big (they can get hot dog-sized), fat caterpillars have giant horns on their heads and spikes all over their bodies. They live short-lived lives from late July to mid August in the southern and southeastern US. After that they become Regal (AKA Royal Walnut) moths.

7) Stump Stabber (Megarhyssa macrurus) –AKA: Giant Ichneumon Wasp. Though small (about 2” long) the females of this parasitoid wasp species have the longest known ovipositors at twice the length of their bodies. Although they look like scary stingers, they are for depositing eggs – oh, and drilling. These wasps seek out insect hosts under the wood of stumps and trees and, once she finds the right one, she drills a hole down to them and lays her eggs in their nest. Here are some great pictures and even a video of her in action. I guess the male Stump Stabbers just go by Mr. Stump Stabber.

 

Toe Biter with prey

8) Toe Biters (Lethocerus americanus) - AKA:  Giant Water Bug, Indian Toe Biters, Alligator  Ticks. These large (up to 2½”) beetles are native to North America and are very common in both manmade and natural bodies of water. Watch out for them in the shallows - when disturbed, they do bite. Toes are usually the victims of these bites as people step on or near enough to them. Although the bite will not cause lasting damage, it does produce burning pain, swelling and even skin discoloration. If you want to see the same guy that was willing to take a Cow Killer sting getting bit by a Toe Biter, check him out here.

9) Vampire Moth (genus Calyptra) – If, when you think of moths you think of delicate little things fluttering helplessly around your porch light, you may want to reconsider your thinking. Because there really are moths that are vampires - yes, some moths actually pierce the skin of verterbrates (including humans) and lap up the blood. Scientists are still determining just how many of the 17 species in this genus are blood-eaters (so far it’s 8-10), but since only two species are here in the US, you probably don’t have to worry about them. But, you never know…Here’s more on them and here’s a video of the little blood lovers.

10) Witch’s Horse (Anisomorpha spp) – AKA: Devil’s Riding Horse, Devil’s Darning Needle, Spitting Devil.These bugs are North American members of the extensive stick insect family. During mating, the males can be seen “riding” on the backs of the females, which may explain some of the
horse references. But, the Spitting Devil moniker is more accurate. These guys emit well-aimed sprays of a noxious-smelling, burning liquid as a self-defense mechanism and they aren’t hesitant to shoot. A direct hit to the eye can cause serious damage and the fumes alone have respiratory effects. It’s best to let these horses pass unhindered.

Ahhh, the insect world! A haven for the macabre, full of endless stories of blood lust, zombies and creative ways to feed on other beings. And also cute little guys who only want to eat some leaves before they get eaten.

Submitted by Pam

Partnership Announcement - Rx Green Technologies

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Spooks in the Garden

Most people associate gardens with beauty and tranquility, a place where one goes to de-stress and enjoy the beauty and wonder of Nature. But not all gardens are restful and not all the people who visit them are living. Ghosts, the ultimate winners in the sustainable living category, are as much a part of certain gardens as are the trees and plants. There are haunted gardens all across the globe, but let me introduce you to some good ole American ones:

Rocky Mountain AHHHH – Visitors to Denver’s Botanic Garden can enjoy many seasonal activities at this time of year, including a corn maze and Dia del los Muertos celebrations. But, it does not have to be Halloween to get spooked in this garden; there are spirits about all year long. Like many ghost stories, these hauntings are centered on a burial ground and disturbed remains. The land that part of the gardens are on was established as a cemetery way back in 1858. Over the years, the original cemetery devolved into a dumping ground for all sorts of unfortunates. When the city decided to make it into a park in 1893, they hired (for $1.90 per box of remains) an unscrupulous undertaker (another common horror trope) to remove the bodies and take them to another cemetery. He, being a wicked and greedy man, decided to boost his profits by hacking up the bodies and putting them in multiple boxes. Naturally, it did not end well for anyone – living or dead. Visitors report strange sights and smells and, in a decidedly modern twist, cell phones being affected. Here is more on this ahhh-inspiring haunting.

Yaddo Garden

New York State of Creepy – There are so many hauntings around New York that the state government has a website dedicated to them, the Haunted History Trail of New York State. One of the most interesting of these is Yaddo in Saratoga Springs. Now best known as a prestigious artist’s community, this 400-acre estate was the home of the Trask family in the early 1900’s. The native Mohicans were there first, of course, and, at some point before the Trasks, Edgar Allan Poe also lived there. Supernatural activity has been reported on this land since well before the Trasks arrived and one has to wonder if Poe was drawn to this place because of the goings-on or if he helped create the continuing myths. At any rate, the current activity seems to happen mostly in the elaborate rose garden that was a favorite spot for Katrina Trask. Is she still pining away there for her four children who died so very young and/or are the spirits those of the children playing in the garden? Or is there something much more ancient dwelling there? For more on this upstate haunting, look here.

Unsettled White House - Our current president is not the only one haunting the hallways in the White House; in the 200 years since it’s been built, there have been a great many well documented spirit sightings. Abraham Lincoln has probably been seen the most often, with many illustrious people (including Winston Churchill and President Harry Truman) reporting encounters with his ghost. Lincoln may dominate the inside, but Dolley Madison is the ghost in the gardens. As the story goes, Dolley (the wife of the fourth US President, James Madison) imagined and planted the original White House Rose Garden and was very fond of the space. A hundred years later, when Woodrow Wilson was president, there were plans to tear it up and plant something else. When workmen arrived, they were lambasted by the forceful spirit of Dolley herself and work stopped on the spot. Although it makes a good story and does reflect the feisty spirit that Dolley had in her living years, there are many who dispute the details of the story and there is none of the real documentation that exists with the other White House spirits.

Pirate Monument - White Point Garden, Charleston

Ghosts Ahoy! – History, warfare, hurricanes and all sorts of general tumult are all parts of the whole that is Charleston, South Carolina. And they all seem to converge, with a laser-like focus, on the Battery in the Charleston Harbor. This fortified seawall and promenade has been a witness to all kinds of death, from the first shots of the Civil War to executions - notably pirate hangings. It is these buccaneers that are said to haunt White Point Garden on the Battery.  Considering that in one day alone, 30 men were hanged there and their bodies thrown unceremoniously into the marsh, the spirits probably have good reason to be upset… even if some of them were pretty despicable in life. Speaking of pirate ghosts, apparently the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World is haunted: check it out.

An strangely attractive Green Lady of Wahiawa

Green Goblin Aloha – For our final garden visit, we’ll have to travel over 4600 miles from Charleston to Hawaii. There, on the island of Oahu, is the Wahiawa Botanical Garden. This 27-acre site consists of not just gorgeous tropical gardens but also a densely forested gulch. It is in this gulch that the Green Lady of Wahiawa roams. Like Katrina Trask and La Llorana, she is said to be mourning and searching for her lost children. But, in Hawaii (a place with many terrifying spirits), this poor spirit has become a part of the jungle itself. She is said to have ghastly green skin with scales and is covered in moss and leaves. You will probably smell her foul smell before you see her and never bring children – she will steal them. Or so they say. Here is a short film about her from people in her neighborhood.

Are you sure your garden is not haunted? Do you know what was on your land before you? You may want to check it out - just to be sure.
Happy Halloween!

Submitted by Pam

When You Know The Water's Coming

Water, water, water everywhere – this has been the reality for millions of people this year. If you are one of those affected, the consequences can be devastating. Hopefully, as you are reading this you have moved passed the drying out and cleaning up phase and are ready to assess what’s next. Because there will be a ‘next” and it will bring more water your way. Climate change is real and one of the undeniable effects it has on real people is that storms are bigger and more destructive than ever. As we work our way through autumn and into winter, it is a good time to determine what you can do before spring rain (or perhaps an unseasonable snowmelt) arrives. Preparing your home and family for even minor flooding encompasses a long list of variables (here is a flooding preparedness checklist from the Red Cross), but preparing your lawn or garden is something that need not be overwhelming. Many of these things you can even do in stages, to reduce time and money spent.

Swale and Berm landscaping

Runoff rundown: The objective here is for you to be able to determine where the water will go when it comes. Swales and berms are landscaping techniques that have been used since ancient times to direct water. Swales are depressions in the earth that hold water. They are often used in conjunction with dams, cisterns and other water catchment systems. Where swales are dips, berms are rises – they are raised beds or hills that move the water down into swales and/or other preferred drainage areas. French drains are another method that can be used to channel water. Simply put, they are sloping trenches lined with stones that has a pipe leading water away (here is a video on how they work). These are used extensively here in Southern Arizona, where our rain comes fast and furious Their name, by the way, has nothing to do with a country in Europe; it comes from Henry French, who wrote about them in 1859. While you are considering runoff, look at your rain spouts; redirecting their flow can be done relatively easily with great results (here are some wondrous examples). If you have them empty into rain barrels or a cistern, the water you don’t want in your yard can be stored and used later on your terms.when it comes.

Anacortes, WA by Joe Mahl

Soaking it up: As an extension of some of the ideas above, you may want to look into better drainage around the hard surfaces in your yard (patios, driveways, etc.). You can always create drainage alongside these areas, but a better (albeit more costly) solution would be to change out concrete or asphalt for gravel, rock, brick or permeable paving materials. Loosely apply these materials so that water can slip right through and into the ground. You will have less water in your yard and be doing your part to recharge ground water.

Rain garden

Planting with purpose: Before planting anything in your newly flood-proofed yard, make sure you’ve got your soil right. Why? Because, that’s always the first step in planting. And (if you read my blog last week you already know this) soil that has been flooded will most likely need to be amended to bring it an optimal condition. Well-structured soils are able to absorb and drain well, with sandy soils being able to drain better than clay-like soil. If you are more committed to a flood-busting landscape than you are to a particular look, it would pay to seek out those plants that like the sandy stuff. Likewise, if you feel that you will still have standing water at some point, pick plants that are tolerant to wet roots. Additional ways to improve your chances of success are planting native plants, diversifying the plant species you choose and aggressively cleaning and clearing out any area or thing that can dam up or hold water. Still unsure what plants will work for you? Here are some ideas to get you moving down that path.

Embrace the rain: Instead of trying to create a garden that can handle excess water, why not just go all in and plant a rain garden? A rain garden is similar to a swale in that it is on a downslope or depression and meant to catch water, but these gardens are filled with decorative plants, while swales are meant simply as water catchment systems. Determine how much and for how long water will be in your garden and pick plants that will flourish in those conditions (here are some plants that can handle extended submersion). If you are dealing with sea spray and/or salt water, be particularly careful to choose plants that can literally stand up to those elements. Let your imagination fly and create a beautiful garden in what would have been an area of standing water.

Preparing for a natural disaster and praying it won’t happen seems to be the sensible way to roll these days. It is widely accepted that certain steps can and should be taken to lessen the effect of wildfire on property, flooding should be viewed in the same way.

Submitted by Pam