Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed Plant – Courtesy Leah McFarland Monarch Butterflies in Trouble For several years we have been in the midst of a milkweed craze across the United States. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are particularly beautiful and the media has written extensively about the enormous drop in their population. Monarch larvae feed exclusively on […]
Wave Hill – Jewel of Riverdale Many years ago I was a docent at Wave Hill in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. It is both a public garden and cultural center and is one of the neighborhoods’ biggest tourist attractions. With its numerous small specialty gardens there is always something wonderful to see. One
THE VERSATILE LEAF Read More »
Taking Geology Seriously The quest for meaning has always captivated humanity. Ecclesiastes, a Biblical text written millennia ago, reflects this timeless concern. In its opening verses, the author contrasts the fleeting nature of human life with the enduring presence of the Earth. Through poetic descriptions of the natural world, the text uses the Earth’s seeming
Where Shall We Go Next? As frequent travelers to Israel, I am constantly seeking out interesting places to visit. Several years ago, when the Jewish Week was still available in print format, there was a short piece about Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research (IOLR) located in Haifa. Carefully clipping the article for safekeeping, I knew
Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research- IOLR Read More »
Worst Plant in the Neighborhood Did you know that over half of the population is allergic to poison ivy—Toxicodendron radicans? While seasoned gardeners can spot and steer clear of this notorious plant, many others unknowingly brush up against it. Yet, poison ivy is just one of the troublesome siblings in the Toxicodendron family native to
Plants can fight back Read More »
Tomatoes are Popular Visiting Israel Since I have a large garden, people always ask if I am growing vegetables. The answer, alas, is “Not really.” Much of the garden is too shady for vegetable growing. However, there is a small patch that I keep hoping will yield some tomatoes. So every year I buy a
Directions, Please Nobody coming to Riverdale would normally go out of their way to travel on Spaulding Lane. In fact, I doubt most residents even know where it is. So I will take you there. Go north on Palisade Avenue along Riverdale Park. The road does not end but makes a sharp right and goes
Enter the Rascals It’s hard to believe that an animal with a brain the size of a walnut could be a formidable opponent. But considering that the first signs of squirrels showed up about 36 million years ago (MYA), perhaps I should not have been so cavalier in my attitude. Squirrel – Courtesy S. Jeselsohn
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In the Beginning Darwin developed the theory of evolution to explain the progression of life from simpler to more complex biological forms. In this geology course offered by The Great Courses – How the Earth Works – the professor, Michael Wysession, asked a different, but equally intriguing question, “Where do the component elements of our
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The Unnecessary War Continues These are terrible times. Israel is fending off enemies whose military might is noteworthy but whose public relations are breathtaking and frightening. Too many people have little understanding of the history of present day Israel or of ancient Israel and the subsequent Jewish Diaspora. In an effort to celebrate both ancient
Jerusalem, Center of the World – Part II Read More »