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David S's avatar

"Love and Fear". I heard a pastor at Unity Church years ago speak of the only two real emotions. These were the two. Thank you Jason for the reminder. I do think about this often and contemplate that all of our reactions to life's presentations come from love and/or fear.

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Jason Anthony's avatar

That's beautifully said, David. Thank you.

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Lor's avatar

Also came back for another look at the Breathing Earth, for some reason, it brings on a very strong sense of emotion.

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Jason Anthony's avatar

Yes, it's very compelling. Which is why I'm not afraid to use it repeatedly on these occasions. Seeing that annual growth and retreat of ice and snow from a polar perspective is important, I think.

In related news, McKibben talks about recent research that explains why, in part, the jet streams are more likely to get "stuck" and hammer areas for longer periods with rain or drought/heat. It's because the overall retreat of ice and snow in the north makes the region warmer, which then diminishes the temp differential between arctic and equatorial regions. Without the differential, there's less force/turbulence affecting the jet stream's positioning. Something like that, anyway.

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Lor's avatar

I remember driving home from skiing in March or April, listening to a conversation on Vermont Public / NPR

( they better not defund!)

their discussion was similar to what Bill was saying. Trying to gently, kindly , however we try to speak with friends and relatives about doings of this administration ( when we really want to hold a megaphone to their ears, or tie them to a chair and make them watch actual video footage verifying truth over facebook and Fox, but I digress) where was I, oh yes; while it was fresh in my head, I tried to educate my sister on what is happening with the jet stream, and how it affects weather in her state, NC ( because truth only matters when you answer the question; “but what does that have to do with me?” or that’s not supposed to affect me, the wrong people are being hurt…) whoops, there I go again. My sister, a Trump supporter, does not ‘believe’ in climate change ( that is as generic as I can express with her. I also tell her; it is not a religion, you do not have to believe in it, it is a fact).

Oh sorry, there I go again.

Before I go off course; because it is always inevitable when trying to present proof , or as I like to call it, a live footnote, My entire conversation with her ending in mm hmm, then🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗

Anyways, it is a very interesting topic. I think what I was listening to on NPR was very similar to this;

https://arctic-council.org/news/shifting-winds-how-a-wavier-polar-jet-stream-causes-extreme-weather-events/

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Jason Anthony's avatar

That's a great explainer article. Thanks, Lor.

Good luck with the family conversations... Let me know if the megaphone works.

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Elizabeth J's avatar

Your beautiful writing underscores the gracefulness of these quiet natural rhythms, such as the earth moving around the sun, with its power and nuance working in tandem. Thank you for this lovely call to observe and revere.

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Jason Anthony's avatar

Thank you, Elizabeth.

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Lor's avatar
Jun 20Edited

Beautifully said Jason, I love how this important solar event sparks masterful words to rise and become best supporting actors or actresses, best original screenplay, but our lifetime achievement award the star of the show, goes to ;The Sun.

“The more we listen to the Earth breathing through its ancient cycles, the more we can remember to breathe with it.”

Thank you, Jason, still not too late for me to acknowledge the breathing earth (amazing! ) and stop and give thanks to the Sun , and wish you and Heather, a Happy Summer Solstice celebration 10:42pm!

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Jason Anthony's avatar

Thank you very much, Lor. Happy Solstice to you as well. I think we'll be around our little campfire tonight, though I don't know if Heather will stay up quite that late...

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Jason Anthony's avatar

Correction: It was too breezy for a campfire, so we sat under the stars and watched fireflies and meteors, both of which were out in surprising abundance. And Heather made it nearly to 10:30.

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Lor's avatar

We did too! You know, I was going to tell you to spike Heather’s evening cup of Chamomile, or Lemon ginger decaf ( just guessing) with a bit of “high test” green tea. She would be wide awake without coming up with a reason why.

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Michael's avatar

In my troubled mind roaming into the future, I foresee a world where the sun is no longer a friend and source of life, but has become a fearsome enemy blasting our planet with heat, turning the green to shades of brown, orange, yellow, and white. I see a desert planet coming nearly empty of land life. And it's coming fast.

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Jason Anthony's avatar

It's a terrible but relevant thought, Michael, and something I should have considered. I'm not sure the heat we're making necessarily leads to desertification rather than, say, tropical conditions in what are now temperate zones, but the level of disruption will be extraordinary, and desertification will be prominent especially in those areas we've made less resilient. Thank you for the reality check, as always.

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Michael's avatar

No one should go out and stock up on suntan lotion yet. My forecasts generally are biased toward the downside.

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