Week 70
Day 490, Tuesday, July 27 - Time out
News blues
President Ramaphosa addresses South Africa on coronavirus and the recent violent looting. (32:55 mins). Level 3. Alcohol available again.
***
The Lincoln Project Wayne Berman (1:18 mins).
Healthy planet, anyone?
For climate campaigners, 26 May seemed like the start of a long-awaited reckoning for oil and gas companies.
Over a single 24-hour period, a Dutch court ordered Shell to dramatically cut emissions, shareholders voted to force Chevron to reduce emissions from the products it sells, and a tiny activist investment firm secured three positions on ExxonMobil’s 12-member board for candidates committed to climate action.
Read “The truth behind corporate climate pledges” >>
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Day at the beach was marvelous. Kehoe beach never disappoints. Yesterday’s weather was cool, some might say cold. I wore a short-sleeved t-shirt under a long-sleeved t-shirt, a hoodie and a windbreaker… and a cap with the hoodie pulled over it. Long pants. I’ve not worn that many layers of clothing all at once in… well, years! It was a treat.
Excerpt from and information about a different visit to Kehoe beach, in 2018:
My intrepid hiking partner and I braved weekend freeway traffic and headed to Kehoe Beach at Point Reyes. The weather was perfect: not too hot, not too foggy. We exited the freeway at Lucas Valley Road, and it was clear why California is called the Golden State.
On this map, draw an imaginary line through the middle length of Tomales Bay south (to the bottom right corner). That’s the approximate location of the California’s most famous fault, the San Andreas, and the current boundary where the Pacific Plate meets the North American Plate. Tectonics explain much about California’s geology and geomorphology and it’s quite visible at Kehoe Beach. (This map of faults in northern California show how dizzyingly rocky life can be around here.)
Over a single 24-hour period, a Dutch court ordered Shell to dramatically cut emissions, shareholders voted to force Chevron to reduce emissions from the products it sells, and a tiny activist investment firm secured three positions on ExxonMobil’s 12-member board for candidates committed to climate action.
On this map, draw an imaginary line through the middle length of Tomales Bay south (to the bottom right corner). That’s the approximate location of the California’s most famous fault, the San Andreas, and the current boundary where the Pacific Plate meets the North American Plate. Tectonics explain much about California’s geology and geomorphology and it’s quite visible at Kehoe Beach. (This map of faults in northern California show how dizzyingly rocky life can be around here.)
Rocking near Elephant Mountain Lucas Valley Road presents many views of Elephant Mountain , also known as Black Mountain (after cattle rancher James Black who bought it back in 1851 for $2000). Despite never having hiked it (it’s private property) Elephant Mountain has worked its way into my visual memory ,and I look for it each time I visit. Maybe it’s its rocking history…. If it looks familiar it may be because the rock band Youngbloods used a similar photo for an album cover whose music was played near here, in 1969. RCA Records published the album, “Elephant Mountain.”
The area is replete with rock ‘n roll history. Grateful Dead played music around here. Elephant Mountain could be seen from the spread of late music impresario Bill Graham. (Sold, razed and rebuilt after Graham’s demise, the replacement $25 million home is Marin County's most expensive...so far.)
Star Wars’ George Lucas located Skywalker Ranch here, to the dismay of locals fighting the idea of more development and more traffic. So far, of the more than 4,700 acres (1,900 ha) of the secluded ranch, only 15 acres (6.1 ha) have been developed. (Lucas Valley Road is named after an early 20th century landowner not related to George Lucas.)
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall dropped by Marin County and Pt Reyes Station in November 2005 as newlyweds. Of that visit winemaker Sean Thackrey of nearby Bolinas said, “Prince Charles is serious about organic agriculture, and Bolinas is serious about organic agriculture....He's kind of an oddball prince, in a good way. And, this is an oddball town. It somehow fits.”
Redwoods. Marin County is home to youthful redwoods, too. There’s nothing like a grove of redwoods to induce feelings of inner contentment and awareness that life is a precious gift. (Feelings were enough on this day. We didn’t stop to photograph redwoods but many others have. ) Exquisite Kehoe Beach caption: Google Earth view.
Kehoe - birds eye view.Other trips to Pt Reyes: Limantour Beach
The first (man-made) thing a hiker sees (after the clean, well-supplied long drop toilet) on the trail to the beach is a well-intentioned sing warning of tsunamis.
The trail beckoned us into tsunami corridor...and we followed….
We’d just commented on the joy of hearing the loud buzzing of bees among the summer blooms, interspersed with the occasional call of birds--buzzards, harriers, and seagulls--when a fawn hiding near the trail broke cover. It was more curious about than frightened of us for it stopped and took a longer. We weren’t quick enough with the camera to photograph the osprey that pulled a large fish from the surf - first time I’d ever seen that - but we saw the resident blue heron in the nearby marsh.
Besides miles of beach and water, Kehoe Beach offers intimate views of the meeting places of granite, sandstone, and thoroughly unique. Look for Doris Sloan’s book, “Rocking Out at Kehoe Beach: A Trip Through Time on the Pacific Plate".
***
Shocker: Nicasio reservoir, in environmentally conscious Marin County, is drying up. While I did not take photos of the drying devastation, the local newspapers reports this, as does local water board. The same thing is happening all over the west. In California: Lake Mead … and Lake Shasta to name just two. In Utah ….
Drought is here to stay >>
***
Today, back to the marina where temps will rise into the triple digits for the next 3 days.OMG!
Day 488 Sunday, July 25 - Decisions, decisions
News blues
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the delta variant, first detected in India, now represents more than 83 percent of cases circulating in the United States. People infected with the variant appear to carry a viral load that is more than 1,000 times that of those infected with earlier forms of the virus, allowing the virus to spread rapidly among unvaccinated people, scientists have found. Read more >>***
On the one hand, in South Africa, …might be heading towards a merry Christmas, getting closer to herd immunity in December, thanks to South Africans aged 35 to 49 who broke records queueing to get vaccinated. Read their stories >>Then, there’s the United States,
… where the variant is estimated to be causing more than 4 out of 5 new infections, largely among the unvaccinated, the outbreaks in places like Arkansas and Missouri have once again placed health systems under stress. They’ve also led to more questions about whether delta even poses a threat to people who are vaccinated and complicated the discussion about what precautions schools need to reopen fully in the fall.The Texas city of Austin’s return to Stage 3 risk-based guidelines marks the first time a major Texas city has reversed direction in the trend toward normalcy. The city announced stricter coronavirus protocols for unvaccinated residents as cases increase. But it can’t legally enforce those restrictions. Other cities also report surges in cases >>
Read more >>
***
The Lincoln Project Brady (1:08 mins).
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Another week under the “heat dome” coming up…Temps will rise above 100F/38C mid-week. I’d like to escape to my friend’s home where air con reigns supreme. Alas, since blossoms drop off my sun gold tomatoes when the temps rise, I’ll stick out the hellish heat on the river in an effort to cajole the blossoms into also sticking it out. Can I persuade them that life, as nutritious, tasty, and beautiful sungold-ness, is worth a little heat? I cajole them by explaining that sun golds are the best tasting cherry tomatoes in California – if not the world – and not to deny us paltry humans their delicious presence.
We’ll see if that works, eh?
***
I’m getting closer to starting and, please the gods, driving my inflatable with the 15 HP outboard motor. My hesitation to date? I’ve no idea how to do that. As an elderly 1983 model, the paintwork on the tiller that indicates gears/controls has worn off. Then, after a fellow marina resident suggested 15 HP was too much power for the inflatable – and for me - I lost my nerve.
Couple of days later and I’m regaining my confidence….
***
Big day tomorrow: I will have a TB test to ensure I’m fit for the workplace. (Yes, after 2 years out of the workplace, 2 years without a steady income, I’m re-entering. More on that later.)After the test, I will join friends for a trip to lovely Point Reyes, my first trip to the California coast in four-plus years. Weather on the coast is far cooler than inland. (I trust the sun golds understand it’s just a day trip before the real heat sets in mid-week.
I notice by the packaging waste in the marina’s recycling bins that marina residents are installing portable air con units in their boats. I have a portable fan and, so far, little interest in air con in my boat. Isn’t paying for a unit then paying to cool (or heat) a boat with inefficient insulation counter intuitive? Isn’t it, essentially, paying to cool (or heat) the great outdoors? Perhaps their boats are better insulated than mine. Open windows, sun-blocking curtains, and a fan do the trick “well-enough” for me.
At least, so far.
Week 69
The following Covid numbers compare today with the numbers 7 weeks ago, Week 61, Day 427, on the eve of my departure from South Africa - after an unplanned stay of 1.5 years. Still grim.
Week 69
Day 485, Thursday, July 22 - Babes in the woods
The following Covid numbers compare today with the numbers 7 weeks ago, Week 61, Day 427, on the eve of my departure from South Africa - after an unplanned stay of 1.5 years. Still grim.Worldwide (Map)
July 22, 2021: 191,945,000 confirmed infections; 4,126,300 deaths
May 27, 2021: 168,418,000 confirmed infections; 3,499,000 deaths
Tracker for worldwide vaccination rate >>
Similar trend at the marina. Lots of talk, no follow through. I did, however, finally get someone stronger than me to lift the too-heavy-for-me small 15 hp outboard motor onto my Sea Eagle inflatable. Took me weeks to get to this point. Now I’m “girding my loins” to install the sun canopy and then start the thing – with a pull rope.
Sometimes I wonder what the *** I’m doing, trying to live a quiet life on an elderly houseboat. I’d say I’m a babe in the woods, but I’m not a babe. More like, senior citizen in the woods or bright-eyed senior citizen in a circus.
Webinar: Daily Maverick on recent mayhem in South Africa, a live discussion ”The Age of Anarchy” with Marianne Thamm and guests. (57:00 mins)
President Ramaphosa addresses the nation on the violence.
Hmmm, Cyril Ramaphosa, not the “cleanest guy” now serving in government, but he’s calm as he faces enormous pressure from the even dirtier guys in government. I’ve supported his efforts as president. A giant welcome change from Zuma. Ramaphosa’s response to the insurrection and attempted coup? Underwhelming. Milquetoast.
Life is peaceful on the river. One might even say, in comparison to recent months, verging on too peaceful. I rise early, walk along the river road for exercise and the views. After that, I enjoy coffee and birdsong as I review, first, the lineup of turtles on the floating logs and, second, my list of tasks for the day. Checking tasks as ‘done’ gives a sense of accomplishment. The task I’d most like to finish - finding someone to help me install the small outboard motors (one fuel, one battery) on the inflatable – is still outstanding. Yesterday, I was so assured that I’d accomplish that task, that I cleaned the small fuel tank and purchased fuel. Alas, the person I’d hoped to wrangle hasn’t appeared. Task still on “not done” side of the list.
One task no longer on the list has become, rather than a task, a morning ritual: circumnavigation the boat with feather duster in hand. Alas as much as I discourage spiders from continuing to spin webs on my boat, détente is the current status. To date, my ritual has not discouraged spiders. I feather dust them away, even toss some spiders into the river for fish, but others simply go on spinning. Perhaps a better strategy is printing hundreds of spider-size cards and placing each one into a web. The cards will suggest other places (other boats?) where spiders would meet a more friendly reception. The fine print could state that “this boat is dedicated to creating an (organic) spider-free environment. Nothing personal. Survival depends on relocation.”
One unexpected joy: barn swallow visits. The gorgeous birds sit on the bow fencing and sing. Occasionally, one flies through the hatch, circles the cabin, then departs. Perhaps the swallows nesting under the boat, between the pontoons, figure that if I can approach their nests as I work there, they can approach my nest. Works for me.
I need to figure out how to encourage barn swallows to include spiders in their daily menu.
Do I have too much time on my hands?
We’ve gone through alpha, beta, gamma, and we’re facing lambda – the 11th letter of the alphabet.
It’s unbelievable to learn of vaccine “refuseniks” who have family and friends dead of Covid and still doubting vax efficacy. Moreover, the concept of ‘doing it for your community’ is entirely absent. Go figure….
May 27, 2021: 168,418,000 confirmed infections; 3,499,000 deaths
Tracker for worldwide vaccination rate >>
US (Map)
July 22, 2021: 34,226,300 confirmed infections; 609,900 deaths
May 27, 2021: 33,190,300 confirmed infections; 592,000,000 deaths
SA (Tracker)
July 22, 2021: 2,327,475 confirmed infections; 68,200 deaths
May 27, 2021: xx ,645,600 confirmed infections; 56,100 deaths
Read in The Guardian >>
Again, Americans display to the world their myopic, self-centered and self-absorbed, navel-gazing worldview.
Science, medicine, and, yes, growing experience show that Covid-19 breakthrough infections do happen, are preventable, but that it's going to take a big effort to stop them.
July 22, 2021: 34,226,300 confirmed infections; 609,900 deaths
May 27, 2021: 33,190,300 confirmed infections; 592,000,000 deaths
SA (Tracker)
July 22, 2021: 2,327,475 confirmed infections; 68,200 deaths
May 27, 2021: xx ,645,600 confirmed infections; 56,100 deaths
News blues
New study presents most comprehensive picture yet of true toll of pandemic in India, finding the true COVID death toll is likely in the millions .Read in The Guardian >>
***
An unbelievably large segment of Americans refuse to accept a free, life- and community-saving vaccine. Meanwhile, millions of people around the world would love, love, love as easy access to a vaccine that so many Americans eschew. Again, Americans display to the world their myopic, self-centered and self-absorbed, navel-gazing worldview.
Science, medicine, and, yes, growing experience show that Covid-19 breakthrough infections do happen, are preventable, but that it's going to take a big effort to stop them.
Question is, how?
As long as charlatans masquerade as news journalists on Fox and Republican politicians promote distrust about the vaccine, all people, Americans foremost, but all people across the world, are exposed to the high likelihood of more virulent variants in the future.
Read more >>
America’s vaccination rates have fallen off a cliff, and nothing seems to help.
Swimming cools things down. So does regularly wetting my t-shirt or tank top. In the end though, it’s a losing game: small boat, hot sun, drought, and, oh yes, runaway climate change with no constructive response by politicians and destructive response by corporate apparatchiks.
Read more >>
America’s vaccination rates have fallen off a cliff, and nothing seems to help.
***
The Lincoln Project Fox is killing us (0:57 mins).
Healthy planet, anyone?
The heatwave in one of the world’s coldest regions has sparked forest fires and threatened the Siberian city of Yakutsk with an “airpocalypse” of thick toxic smoke, atmospheric monitoring services have reported.Read more >>
High levels of particulate matter and possibly also chemicals including ozone, benzene and hydrogen cyanide are thought likely to make this one of the world’s worst ever air pollution events.
Local authorities have warned the 320,000 residents to stay indoors to avoid choking fumes from the blazes, which are on course to break last year’s record.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
It’s not easy, in California, to take a page from Italy’s playbook and siesta during the hottest hours of the day. Here on the river, the hottest hours of the day are about noon to 6pm. That’s most of the day. I can't siesta for most of the day: too depressing.Swimming cools things down. So does regularly wetting my t-shirt or tank top. In the end though, it’s a losing game: small boat, hot sun, drought, and, oh yes, runaway climate change with no constructive response by politicians and destructive response by corporate apparatchiks.
***
One thing for certain: help is hard to find. While I was still in South Africa and since I’ve returned, I’ve tried to find a carpenter-type handyman-type to fix the bathroom floor in my apartment that the last tenant destroyed. No dice. People advertise their availability, sometimes even makes appointment to evaluate the work, then simply never show. Turns out this is a feature, not a bug, of carpenter- and handyman-types all over the planet. Is that called a “lifestyle”? Similar trend at the marina. Lots of talk, no follow through. I did, however, finally get someone stronger than me to lift the too-heavy-for-me small 15 hp outboard motor onto my Sea Eagle inflatable. Took me weeks to get to this point. Now I’m “girding my loins” to install the sun canopy and then start the thing – with a pull rope.
Sometimes I wonder what the *** I’m doing, trying to live a quiet life on an elderly houseboat. I’d say I’m a babe in the woods, but I’m not a babe. More like, senior citizen in the woods or bright-eyed senior citizen in a circus.
Day 483, Tuesday, July 20 - Get vaccinated, already!
News blues
Delta variant in ascendance.As top health officials warn that COVID-19 has become a "pandemic of the unvaccinated," recent figures from states and cities throughout the United States reveal the extent to which the virus is impacting people who are not fully inoculated.Read more >>
A stark case in point: During June, every person who died of COVID-19 in Maryland was unvaccinated, according to a spokesperson for the governor's office. There were 130 people who died of COVID-19 in Maryland in June, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
***
On the violence and attempted coup in South Africa:Webinar: Daily Maverick on recent mayhem in South Africa, a live discussion ”The Age of Anarchy” with Marianne Thamm and guests. (57:00 mins)
President Ramaphosa addresses the nation on the violence.
Hmmm, Cyril Ramaphosa, not the “cleanest guy” now serving in government, but he’s calm as he faces enormous pressure from the even dirtier guys in government. I’ve supported his efforts as president. A giant welcome change from Zuma. Ramaphosa’s response to the insurrection and attempted coup? Underwhelming. Milquetoast.
Healthy planet, anyone?
It is impossible, these days, not to use plastic. Try as we might, we cannot avoid it. It’s everywhere. Here’s one way to begin to address that reality: Plastic polluters should face similar consequences and penalties as those responsible for oil spills...Lorren de Kock, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) SA project manager for the circular plastics economy, said plastic pollution had reached crisis levels and polluters should be held to account. She added that the pollution was not simply a consumer issue.Read more >>
“The reality is that plastic pollution is a complex societal issue requiring interventions at each stage of the life cycle. These include the critical need for a reduction in production and consumption, substitution with alternative materials and delivery models such as reuse and refill, more investment and support for recycling and appropriate disposal at end of life.”
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Another day of grueling heat on the river although not as bad as it has been.Life is peaceful on the river. One might even say, in comparison to recent months, verging on too peaceful. I rise early, walk along the river road for exercise and the views. After that, I enjoy coffee and birdsong as I review, first, the lineup of turtles on the floating logs and, second, my list of tasks for the day. Checking tasks as ‘done’ gives a sense of accomplishment. The task I’d most like to finish - finding someone to help me install the small outboard motors (one fuel, one battery) on the inflatable – is still outstanding. Yesterday, I was so assured that I’d accomplish that task, that I cleaned the small fuel tank and purchased fuel. Alas, the person I’d hoped to wrangle hasn’t appeared. Task still on “not done” side of the list.
One task no longer on the list has become, rather than a task, a morning ritual: circumnavigation the boat with feather duster in hand. Alas as much as I discourage spiders from continuing to spin webs on my boat, détente is the current status. To date, my ritual has not discouraged spiders. I feather dust them away, even toss some spiders into the river for fish, but others simply go on spinning. Perhaps a better strategy is printing hundreds of spider-size cards and placing each one into a web. The cards will suggest other places (other boats?) where spiders would meet a more friendly reception. The fine print could state that “this boat is dedicated to creating an (organic) spider-free environment. Nothing personal. Survival depends on relocation.”
One unexpected joy: barn swallow visits. The gorgeous birds sit on the bow fencing and sing. Occasionally, one flies through the hatch, circles the cabin, then departs. Perhaps the swallows nesting under the boat, between the pontoons, figure that if I can approach their nests as I work there, they can approach my nest. Works for me.
I need to figure out how to encourage barn swallows to include spiders in their daily menu.
Do I have too much time on my hands?
***
KZN is coming out of the immediate stress from the recent looting campaign. Only one week after my mom’s death and, miracle of miracle, we appear to have recorded that event with Home Affairs. (Note, I write “appear” – not yet confirmed with actual record in actual hand, but….)
Day 481, Sunday, July 18 - Lambda
Will we, the people, travel through the Greek alphabet to name emerging coronavirus variants before we knuckle down and accept the vaccine already?We’ve gone through alpha, beta, gamma, and we’re facing lambda – the 11th letter of the alphabet.
It’s unbelievable to learn of vaccine “refuseniks” who have family and friends dead of Covid and still doubting vax efficacy. Moreover, the concept of ‘doing it for your community’ is entirely absent. Go figure….
News blues
A coronavirus variant known as Lambda, which has largely slid under the radar for the past nine months, is now causing almost all new infections in Peru.Read more >>
Lambda (also known as C.37) was first detected in Peru in August 2020 and has spread to 29 countries, many in Latin America. And, since January 20, 2021, 668 Lambda infections have been reported in the United States. In Peru, Lambda is now responsible for more than 90 percent of new COVID-19 cases, a steep rise from less than 0.5 percent in December. The country has already suffered the world’s worst mortality due to COVID-19; the disease has killed about 0.54 percent of the population.
***
In South Africa, Prof Salim Abdool Karim, former chair of the ministerial advisory committee on Covid-19, stated that the country’s third wave was more than twice the peak of the first and second waves in the country. …A further 413 Covid-19 related deaths were reported over the past 24-hour cycle, bringing the total fatalities to 66,385 to date.Read more >>
“The majority of new cases today are from Gauteng (38%), followed by Western Cape (19%). Limpopo accounted for 12%; Mpumalanga accounted for 9%; North West accounted for 8%; Eastern Cape accounted for 5%; KwaZulu-Natal accounted for 4%; Free State accounted for 3%; and the Northern Cape accounted for 2% of today’s new cases,” the NICD said in a statement.
Gauteng has shown a decline in Covid-19 cases and might be slowly getting over the peak of the third wave…
Healthy planet, anyone?
Back at the beginning of the pandemic, I fell for the story of dolphins reappearing in Venice’s canals. That was “fake news” and wishful thinking.This time around, I’ll keep an eye on the latest news about large cruise ships currently being banned from sailing into the centre of Venice from August 1 amid fears they are causing irreparable damage to the lagoon city.
Italy's government has (for now?) adopted the decree, saying it …
Money talks. Getting cruise ships “temporarily” to protect the Venetian lagoon system will be like getting US Senator Joe Manchin to give up donations from fossil fuel companies and get on board with the desperately need infrastructure plan.
Truth be told, I’m not so much looking forward to returning to the river – and the stifling heat. Then again, I can swim….
I remain without assistance to install the small outboard motor on my inflatable. I expected the person I hired to service the motor to help with installation, too. Alas, when it came to installation, his “back was out” and he bailed. I’ve tried to find help around the marina – I intend to pay that person, I’m not looking for a freebie – but, so far, to no avail.
With so much on my mind right now – coming to terms with my mother’s death, and life, and the superficial intersection we shared over many years – the trauma of my country of origin, the trauma (climate change related, political, social) of my adopted country – being able to slip into the inflatable, start up the motor and slowly cruise the river would be a wonderful luxury and a privilege. That I can’t – the motor simply is too heavy for me to manage alone, particularly since the inflatable is already in the water – is a wasted opportunity for peace.
The social and logistical aspects of marina life are … challenging. The environment, however, is a wonderful gift I want fully to appreciate.
My takeaway? South Africans are a patient people with amazing resilience.
Week 68
Worldwide (Map)
July 15, 2020 – 1,888,565,400 confirmed infections; 4,061,275 deaths
Vaccinations delivered: one dose 934,242,100; fully 3,520,990,000
April 15, 2021 – 138,278,420 confirmed infections; 2,973,058 deaths
US (Map)
July 15, 2020 – 33,952,000 confirmed infections; 608,120 deaths
Vaccinations delivered: one dose 184,132,770; fully 158,955,000
April 15, 2021 – 31,421,361 confirmed infections; 564,402 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
July 15, 2020 – 2,236,800 confirmed infections; 65,595 deaths
Vaccinations delivered: one dose 3,756,300; fully 1,344,700
April 15, 2021 – 1,560.000 confirmed infections; 53,500 deaths
Tracking coronavirus vaccinations around the world >>
Ignored for days by US press – busy with “the big lie” - South Africa suffered an insurrection attempt this week in two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. As food and fuel supply chains were disrupted and disabled, and, naturally, malls and liquor stores plundered, twelve masterminds planned and executed insurrection on social media, then lost control after looting spree.
Ever resilient, South Africans rally.
Dealing emotionally with her death is one thing. Dealing logistically with her death, from 14,000 miles away, during riots is entirely another thing. Thank goodness I had the good sense while I was there to organize all the necessary details if she died while I was gone. She did. And the logistic kicked in. I’d chosen a funeral service on the basis of reputation. Before Covid lockdown in SA, the owners, visiting many retirement homes, had lightened retirees’ days by bringing in karaoke. They’d set up the mics and encourage singers. Retirees loved it. Based on their compassion, as well as their professionalism, my mother will be well taken care of by this company. It is, nevertheless, a challenge. Just getting her from the Care Center to headquarters in Pietermaritzburg posed a dilemma. The national freeway had been intermittently closed, burned trucks and vehicles cluttered the road, and rioters threatened. Moreover, her remains need to be transported yet another 25 miles to the crematorium. Crematoria in South Africa have a reputation for burning down without assistance from rioters and looters.
Next challenge? Dealing with extended family that seldom works together. I’ve explained that, when I return, we will all work together to plan her memorial that it is, naturally, quirky and requires mixing the ashes of all her dogs (Yes, she’s been collecting them for years) with her ashes then sprinkling them near her old property. Actually, she wanted them sprinkled on her old property. I explained it belongs to someone else now. Undeterred, she wants done what she wants done with her cremains. We’ll see.
It is alarming to talk on the phone with family located right next to a mall that’s being looted as we speak. Family had been advised to pack an emergency bag, ready to flee if the petrol station was set alight.”
Things are bad over there: shops looted and supply chains broken so no food, no petrol, little governmental know-how….
Italy's government has (for now?) adopted the decree, saying it …
"… represents an important step for the protection of the Venetian lagoon system…"As my late mother liked to say, “We’ll see….”
Instead, they [cruise ships] will be diverted to the city's industrial port of Marghera, although this is viewed as only a temporary solution, with ministers calling for ideas on a new permanent terminal.
Campaigners have for years been calling for cruise ships to be banned from sailing past the iconic St Mark's Square, saying they cause large waves that undermine the city's foundations and harm the fragile ecosystem of its lagoon.
Money talks. Getting cruise ships “temporarily” to protect the Venetian lagoon system will be like getting US Senator Joe Manchin to give up donations from fossil fuel companies and get on board with the desperately need infrastructure plan.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
I’ll head back up to the river today – where temps will be in upper 90s and into the low 100s. This is a far cry from temps in the inner bay where I visited over the weekend and where I almost needed a jacket.Truth be told, I’m not so much looking forward to returning to the river – and the stifling heat. Then again, I can swim….
Day 479, Friday, July 16 - Masks required, again
News blues
Reprise! Another round of mask wearing recommended for residents of San Francisco Bay Area counties.With cases of COVID-19 rising locally and increased circulation of the highly transmissible Delta variant, Bay Area counties… now recommend that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in public places.
Alameda County’s reported new cases are averaging 110 per day and the daily case rate is now 6.7 per 100,000 and rising.
Businesses are urged to adopt universal masking requirements for customers entering indoor areas of their businesses to provide better protection to their employees and customers. Workplaces must comply with Cal/OSHA requirements and fully vaccinated employees are encouraged to wear masks indoors if their employer has not confirmed the vaccination status of those around them.
Bay Area Health Officers will revisit this recommendation in the coming weeks as they continue to monitor transmission rates, hospitalizations, deaths, and increasing vaccination rates throughout the region.
Fully vaccinated people are well-protected from infections and serious illness due to COVID-19, and vaccinating as many people as possible, as soon as possible, continues to be our best defense against severe COVID-19 infection.
***
President Ramaphosa addresses the country post riots and looting (30:00 mins) that coincides with an alarming rise of the Delta variant across the nation and the continent. Healthy planet, anyone?
With the Amazon rainforest now emitting more CO2 than it absorbs, cutting emissions is more urgent than ever, say scientists, with forest producing more than a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.The giant forest had previously been a carbon sink, absorbing the emissions driving the climate crisis, but is now causing its acceleration, researchers said.Read more >>
Most of the emissions are caused by fires, many deliberately set to clear land for beef and soy production. But even without fires, hotter temperatures and droughts mean the south-eastern Amazon has become a source of CO2, rather than a sink.
Growing trees and plants have taken up about a quarter of all fossil fuel emissions since 1960, with the Amazon playing a major role as the largest tropical forest. Losing the Amazon’s power to capture CO2 is a stark warning that slashing emissions from fossil fuels is more urgent than ever….
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Another heat wave coming up although temperatures over northern California are predicted to be slightly lower. Temps over Canada and the Rockies predicted to break new records.I remain without assistance to install the small outboard motor on my inflatable. I expected the person I hired to service the motor to help with installation, too. Alas, when it came to installation, his “back was out” and he bailed. I’ve tried to find help around the marina – I intend to pay that person, I’m not looking for a freebie – but, so far, to no avail.
With so much on my mind right now – coming to terms with my mother’s death, and life, and the superficial intersection we shared over many years – the trauma of my country of origin, the trauma (climate change related, political, social) of my adopted country – being able to slip into the inflatable, start up the motor and slowly cruise the river would be a wonderful luxury and a privilege. That I can’t – the motor simply is too heavy for me to manage alone, particularly since the inflatable is already in the water – is a wasted opportunity for peace.
The social and logistical aspects of marina life are … challenging. The environment, however, is a wonderful gift I want fully to appreciate.
***
Logistics of my mother’s passing are challenging, too, more so with the breakdown of South Africa’s business and governmental sectors. The funeral service will work to obtain her death certificate from the doctor. The death certificate – the document required to begin the process of wrapping up her estate – must, however, go to the Department of Home Affairs. Having struggled with Home Affairs for more than years to obtain a simple passport (final processed through the SA Embassy in Los Angeles and not in South Africa), I have no expectation that her death will be processed in a timely manner. My takeaway? South Africans are a patient people with amazing resilience.
Week 68
Day 478, Thursday, July 15 - Heavy heart
Worldwide (Map) July 15, 2020 – 1,888,565,400 confirmed infections; 4,061,275 deaths
Vaccinations delivered: one dose 934,242,100; fully 3,520,990,000
April 15, 2021 – 138,278,420 confirmed infections; 2,973,058 deaths
US (Map)
July 15, 2020 – 33,952,000 confirmed infections; 608,120 deaths
Vaccinations delivered: one dose 184,132,770; fully 158,955,000
April 15, 2021 – 31,421,361 confirmed infections; 564,402 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
July 15, 2020 – 2,236,800 confirmed infections; 65,595 deaths
Vaccinations delivered: one dose 3,756,300; fully 1,344,700
April 15, 2021 – 1,560.000 confirmed infections; 53,500 deaths
Tracking coronavirus vaccinations around the world >>
News blues
Jacob Zuma supporters and hangers-on have burned much of commercial KZN to the ground, and done a credible job of the same in Gauteng province.Ignored for days by US press – busy with “the big lie” - South Africa suffered an insurrection attempt this week in two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. As food and fuel supply chains were disrupted and disabled, and, naturally, malls and liquor stores plundered, twelve masterminds planned and executed insurrection on social media, then lost control after looting spree.
Ever resilient, South Africans rally.
The past week not only revealed to us the vulgarity and the violence of a disastrous scheme to destabilise the country, but also the capacity for solidarity and community in the face of a total collapse of law and order.And, naturally,
In the startling spool of images and footage to emerge from convulsions of violence and looting that have taken place in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, which spread after the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma, many have stood out.
Read “Picking ourselves up” >>
- “Looting and unrest suspend Gauteng’s vaccine roll-out programme”
- WHO Warns South Africa to Brace For Covid-19 Surge After Riots
***
Global Coronavirus Cases And Deaths Rise, Dampening Hopes For A Return To Normal. COVID-19 deaths climbed last week after nine weeks of decline. Cases rose 10%, with the highest numbers recorded in Brazil, India and Indonesia. ***
In the US, nearly all COVID deaths are now among the unvaccinated ***
The Lincoln Project: Which side (1:20 mins) Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Amid the looting and the riots, and the rise in Covid infections across the country, my mother passed away, gently, in her bed. Two days before her 88th birthday.Dealing emotionally with her death is one thing. Dealing logistically with her death, from 14,000 miles away, during riots is entirely another thing. Thank goodness I had the good sense while I was there to organize all the necessary details if she died while I was gone. She did. And the logistic kicked in. I’d chosen a funeral service on the basis of reputation. Before Covid lockdown in SA, the owners, visiting many retirement homes, had lightened retirees’ days by bringing in karaoke. They’d set up the mics and encourage singers. Retirees loved it. Based on their compassion, as well as their professionalism, my mother will be well taken care of by this company. It is, nevertheless, a challenge. Just getting her from the Care Center to headquarters in Pietermaritzburg posed a dilemma. The national freeway had been intermittently closed, burned trucks and vehicles cluttered the road, and rioters threatened. Moreover, her remains need to be transported yet another 25 miles to the crematorium. Crematoria in South Africa have a reputation for burning down without assistance from rioters and looters.
Next challenge? Dealing with extended family that seldom works together. I’ve explained that, when I return, we will all work together to plan her memorial that it is, naturally, quirky and requires mixing the ashes of all her dogs (Yes, she’s been collecting them for years) with her ashes then sprinkling them near her old property. Actually, she wanted them sprinkled on her old property. I explained it belongs to someone else now. Undeterred, she wants done what she wants done with her cremains. We’ll see.
It is alarming to talk on the phone with family located right next to a mall that’s being looted as we speak. Family had been advised to pack an emergency bag, ready to flee if the petrol station was set alight.”
Things are bad over there: shops looted and supply chains broken so no food, no petrol, little governmental know-how….
But, South Africans are resilient….
Takeaways:
With the current delta variant third wave worse than first two waves, SA cabinet decided:
Adjusted Alert Level 4 for another 14 days
Gatherings prohibited
Curfew from 9pm to 4am
Sale of alcohol prohibited
Schools closed until July 26
Compulsory to wear masks over nose and mouth in public
Adjustments:
Restaurants able to operate while observing health protocols (50 people or 50% of normal capacity. Gyms, animal and game auctions, can operate with the usual safety protocols.
We know:
Reducing instances of close proximity helps contain infections and that the virus spreads at funerals, office, parties, taverns/restaurants. Therefore, we are prohibiting social and religious gatherings
Gauteng, with high levels of movement into/out of area, will be and limited
Prohibiting alcohol takes pressure off hospitals and frees up health care facilities to deal with Covid cases.
Vax program expanding at “reasonably rapid pace” – more than doubled in last 7 days
Govt and private sectors working to vax many people each day
After July 15, over 35-year-olds can register for vax in August
Encourage all eligible SA to register and get vaccinated.
Message: “vaccines do work and are effective”
Challenge: availability of vax doses.
AU and EU agree to improve supply to Africa. SA company will deliver 17 million doses as of July to SA and the rest of Africa. After October, the vaccine stock will double. J&J will adapt current arrangement to use vaccine in SA under license rather than under contract (more control for SA). Later, it may be produced in SA.
SA should have a pipeline of vaccine sufficient to meet targets.
It is the pandemic that poses greatest threat to economy than restrictions, but restrictions have consequences. We are doing all we can do to mitigate challenges posed.
Expired business licenses valid until 31 December, 2022.
And protests: “These acts endanger lives of people and our work to build the economy….Never any justification for violent, destructive actions…” “Ethnic mobilizations” must be condemned at all costs… All people of South Africa are equal before the law… rule of law safeguards against the misuse of power…. As a nation, we will not tolerate acts of vandalism and criminality – those doing so will be arrested and prosecuted… “
“Misuse of old video on social media rile up people… “ “We’re building up, not shutting down, not destroying, saving lives, rebuilding economy and creating jobs…
Day 474, Sunday, July 11 - More lockdown
News blues
As a cohort of Zuma-supporters and hangers-on, predominantly Zulus – Zuma is Zulu – protest Zuma’s incarceration, President Ramaphosa addressed the nation on extended lockdown. (28:09 mins)Takeaways:
With the current delta variant third wave worse than first two waves, SA cabinet decided:
Adjusted Alert Level 4 for another 14 days
Gatherings prohibited
Curfew from 9pm to 4am
Sale of alcohol prohibited
Schools closed until July 26
Compulsory to wear masks over nose and mouth in public
Adjustments:
Restaurants able to operate while observing health protocols (50 people or 50% of normal capacity. Gyms, animal and game auctions, can operate with the usual safety protocols.
We know:
Reducing instances of close proximity helps contain infections and that the virus spreads at funerals, office, parties, taverns/restaurants. Therefore, we are prohibiting social and religious gatherings
Gauteng, with high levels of movement into/out of area, will be and limited
Prohibiting alcohol takes pressure off hospitals and frees up health care facilities to deal with Covid cases.
Vax program expanding at “reasonably rapid pace” – more than doubled in last 7 days
Govt and private sectors working to vax many people each day
After July 15, over 35-year-olds can register for vax in August
Encourage all eligible SA to register and get vaccinated.
Message: “vaccines do work and are effective”
Challenge: availability of vax doses.
AU and EU agree to improve supply to Africa. SA company will deliver 17 million doses as of July to SA and the rest of Africa. After October, the vaccine stock will double. J&J will adapt current arrangement to use vaccine in SA under license rather than under contract (more control for SA). Later, it may be produced in SA.
SA should have a pipeline of vaccine sufficient to meet targets.
It is the pandemic that poses greatest threat to economy than restrictions, but restrictions have consequences. We are doing all we can do to mitigate challenges posed.
Expired business licenses valid until 31 December, 2022.
And protests: “These acts endanger lives of people and our work to build the economy….Never any justification for violent, destructive actions…” “Ethnic mobilizations” must be condemned at all costs… All people of South Africa are equal before the law… rule of law safeguards against the misuse of power…. As a nation, we will not tolerate acts of vandalism and criminality – those doing so will be arrested and prosecuted… “
“Misuse of old video on social media rile up people… “ “We’re building up, not shutting down, not destroying, saving lives, rebuilding economy and creating jobs…
***
After months of data collection, scientists agree: The delta variant is the most contagious version of the coronavirus worldwide. It spreads about 225% faster than the original version of the virus, and it's currently dominating the outbreak in the United States.Read “The Delta Variant Isn't Just Hyper-Contagious. It Also Grows More Rapidly Inside You” >>
A new study, published online… sheds light on why. It finds that the variant grows more rapidly inside people's respiratory tracts and to much higher levels, researchers at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
***
The pandemic has hit Indigenous communities disproportionately hard, compounded by generations of historical trauma and mistrust. According to an independent study done by the APM Research Lab published in March 2021, Indigenous Americans have the highest actual COVID-19 mortality rates nationwide, accounting for 256 per 100,000 deaths in the United States.Read “How Indigenous leaders are pushing to vaccinate their hard-hit communities” >>
***
Tracking coronavirus vaccinations around the world >> Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
KZN is aflame. Watching from afar – this time – and concerned for family and friends there. Brought to you courtesy of Jacob Zuma, the guy who gave away South Africa’s needed financial resources to the Gupta brothers. Oh, and by the way, none of this ‘unrest’ reported on US/California television news.Not good news for the future.
Toyota reversed course hours after the Lincoln Project released a damning video attacking the company for backing lawmakers who refused to certify the election.”
Way to go, The Lincoln Project!
Day 473, Saturday, July 10 - Hold on to your bibles!
News blues
After US Prez Biden suggested a program to go “door to door” to encourage vax hesitant to get the jab, Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn (N.C.) warned,…health care workers coming to homes to vaccinate people could also be out to grab Americans’ guns and Bibles.Oh my. Will the whackidoodle-itude never end?
“Now they’re talking about going door-to-door to take vaccines to the people,” Cawthorn complained… adding that the plan would require a “massive” operation.
“Then think about what those mechanisms could be used for,” Cawthorn darkly warned. “They could then go door-to-door to take your guns. They could then go door-to-door to take your Bibles.”
***
Meanwhile, in California’s LA County, new coronavirus cases are up 165% compared to last week, all involving the delta variant of the coronavirus. Health authorities are on high alert and again and urge residents to wear masks when they’re inside public spaces.***
Five under vaccinated clusters could put the entire United States at risk as new data analysis identifies clusters of unvaccinated people, most of them in the southern United States. These areas are vulnerable to surges in Covid-19 cases and could become breeding grounds for even more deadly Covid-19 variants. ***
After The Lincoln Project aired Toyota, that company decided that (at least for now, while the public is watching) it “… will No Longer Donate To Republicans Who Voted To Overturn 2020 Election. Toyota reversed course hours after the Lincoln Project released a damning video attacking the company for backing lawmakers who refused to certify the election.”
Way to go, The Lincoln Project!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Another day of overwhelming heat: 111F today, up on the river. I’m sheltering 25 miles away in my friend’s apartment, with air con! Drove up to the marina to water my plants yesterday – 106F – and to retrieve my small outboard motor from the person who’d serviced it. Plants – sun gold and beefsteak tomatoes, cucumber, parsley (more nutritious and hardier than lettuce), mint, and basil – appreciated my efforts. Also set up slow drip water bottles in the pots and laid wet dish towels over the soil surface. I mentioned to the plants that temps continue to soar and to sip slowly but regularly.Temp tomorrow: 106F.
I’ll stay in air con until Monday, then return to enjoy cool 97F heat – and wind gusts. Perfect fire weather? Don’t mention that dreaded possibility!
Small picture: my mother is exhausted, weak, and abed. Since the Care Center is under tight lock down again, due to soaring rates of Delta variant, I’ve asked staff please, please, if it looks as if she’s “failing to thrive”, give my brother permission to visit. She adores him and seeing him in her final moments would give her a sense of peace.
Week 67
Worldwide (Map)
July 8, 2021: 185,236,000 confirmed infections; 4,005,000 deaths
July 30, 2020: 17,096,000 confirmed infections; 668,590 deaths
US (Map)
July 8, 2021: 33,772,700 confirmed infections; 606,230 deaths
July 30, 2020: 4,451,000 confirmed infections; 151,270 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
July 8, 2021: 2,112,340 confirmed infections; 63,100 deaths
July 30, 2020: 471,125 confirmed infections; 7,498 deaths
Spotlight on India – fast approaching US Covid statistics:
July 8, 2021: 30,709,600 confirmed infections; 405,100 deaths
I’ll stay in air con until Monday, then return to enjoy cool 97F heat – and wind gusts. Perfect fire weather? Don’t mention that dreaded possibility!
***
News from South Africa is not good. Big picture: Zuma supporters burn and pillage to protest the jailing of their hero. Small picture: my mother is exhausted, weak, and abed. Since the Care Center is under tight lock down again, due to soaring rates of Delta variant, I’ve asked staff please, please, if it looks as if she’s “failing to thrive”, give my brother permission to visit. She adores him and seeing him in her final moments would give her a sense of peace.
Week 67
Day 471, Thursday, July 8 - Refugees
Worldwide (Map) July 8, 2021: 185,236,000 confirmed infections; 4,005,000 deaths
July 30, 2020: 17,096,000 confirmed infections; 668,590 deaths
US (Map)
July 8, 2021: 33,772,700 confirmed infections; 606,230 deaths
July 30, 2020: 4,451,000 confirmed infections; 151,270 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
July 8, 2021: 2,112,340 confirmed infections; 63,100 deaths
July 30, 2020: 471,125 confirmed infections; 7,498 deaths
Spotlight on India – fast approaching US Covid statistics:
July 8, 2021: 30,709,600 confirmed infections; 405,100 deaths
News blues
Fifteen months later…and the pandemic is still raging. Few experts guessed that by this point, the world would have not one vaccine but many, with 3 billion doses already delivered. At the same time, the coronavirus has evolved into super-transmissible variants that spread more easily. The clash between these variables will define the coming months and seasons. Here, then, are three simple principles to understand how they interact.1. The vaccines are still beating the variants.Read “The 3 Simple Rules That Underscore the Danger of Delta” >>
2. The variants are pummeling unvaccinated people.
3. The longer Principle No. 2 continues, the less likely No. 1 will hold.
***Coronavirus Pandemic Hits New Milestone: 4 Million DeadAnd that is widely believed to be an undercount because of overlooked cases or deliberate concealment.***Scandal-Plagued Brazil Could Soon Become The Global Leader In COVID-19 Deaths. Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro is facing allegations of corruption, official investigations and mass protests as Brazil’s death toll continues to climb.***Hardcopy reading: Reading on my cell phone these days, I seldom read hardcopy books, journals, and magazines anymore. Moreover, I’ve barely time to keep abreast with online current thinking, news, and writing, never mind find then read what’s published in what I now consider “heavy to hold” print matter. But… I thoroughly enjoy my visits with a friend - a pacifist researcher, writer, and speaker focused on nuclear weaponry – whose home is chock-a-block with print matter. Most recently, I read the current issue of Foreign Affairs. I recommend the following essays and reviews from the July/August 2021 issue:
Essay: The Forever Virus: A Strategy for the Long Fight Against COVID-19
Essay: The Threat Reflex: Why Some Societies Respond to Danger Better than Others
And, a thought-provoking review: “Spies Like Us: The Promise and Peril of Crowdsourced Intelligence”***The Lincoln Project:
Remember (3:12 mins)
Toyota (0:56 mins)
Healthy planet, anyone?
There is now so much ocean plastic that it has become a route for invasive species, threatening native animals with extinction.Japan’s 2011 tsunami was catastrophic, killing nearly 16,000 people, destroying homes and infrastructure, and sweeping an estimated 5m tons of debris out to sea.Read “Plastic rafting: the invasive species hitching a ride on ocean litter” >>
That debris did not disappear, however. Some of it drifted all the way across the Pacific, reaching the shores of Hawaii, Alaska and California – and with it came hitchhikers.
Nearly 300 different non-native species caught a lift across the ocean in what can be thought of as a “mass rafting” event. The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in 2017 counted 289 Japanese marine species that were carried to distant shores after the tsunami, including sea snails, sea anemones and isopods, a type of crustacean.
Plastic is, indeed, a major environmental contaminant – so is invasive rafting… but… gulp, are you ready for vanillin made from plastic? Logically, not voluntarily eating substances made from plastic may, perhaps, be a little precious? After all, reliable research now shows that tiny bits of plastic already are in our food, drinking water, the air we breathe, and, yes, inside our bodies. ... Research calculates that the average American eats, drinks, and breathes in more than 74,000 microplastic particles every year. Now, however…
…Plastic bottles have been converted into vanilla flavouring using genetically engineered bacteria, the first time a valuable chemical has been brewed from waste plastic. …Hmmm. “Green chemistry.” Now we gotta be even more careful of what we’re eating… I hope “green chemistry” is so labeled.
Stephen Wallace, also of the University of Edinburgh, said: “Our work challenges the perception of plastic being a problematic waste and instead demonstrates its use as a new carbon resource from which high value products can be made.”
About 1m plastic bottles are sold every minute around the world and just 14% are recycled. Currently even those bottles that are recycled can only be turned into opaque fibres for clothing or carpets.
The research, published in the journal Green Chemistry , used engineered E coli bacteria to transform TA into vanillin. The scientists warmed a microbial broth to 37C for a day, the same conditions as for brewing beer, Wallace said. This converted 79% of the TA into vanillin.
Next the scientists will further tweak the bacteria to increase the conversion rate further, he said: “We think we can do that pretty quickly. We have an amazing roboticised DNA assembly facility here.” They will also work on scaling up the process to convert larger amounts of plastic. Other valuable molecules could also be brewed from TA, such as some used in perfumes.
Ellis Crawford, of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “This is a really interesting use of microbial science to improve sustainability. Using microbes to turn waste plastics, which are harmful to the environment, into an important commodity is a beautiful demonstration of green chemistry.”
***
More than 8 billion people could be at risk of malaria and dengue fever by 2080 if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise unabated, a new study says. Malaria and dengue fever will spread to reach billions of people…[with] researchers predicting up to 4.7 billion more people could be threatened by the world’s two most prominent mosquito-borne diseases, compared with 1970-99 figures.Read “Climate crisis ‘may put 8bn at risk of malaria and dengue’ “ >>
The figures are based on projections of a population growth of about 4.5 billion over the same period, and a temperature rise of about 3.7C by 2100.
The study, led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal, found that if emission levels continue to rise at current rates, the effect on global temperatures could lengthen transmission seasons by more than a month for malaria and four months for dengue over the next 50 years.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Feeding off rafts of invasives?Canada geese do it, too.
Living in the “inner bay” – directly on shores of San Francisco Bay – brings one into close contact with Canada geese. Until recently, my impression of Canada geese tended to the unfavorable: noisy, poopy, poopy, and noisy…
Then, small flocks on Canada geese arrived on Old River – in front of my houseboat. They’ve settled in … and I’ve fallen in love with them. Old River brings out the best in Canada geese. Unlike their habits along the bay, where they’re noisy and intrusive, on the river they’re quiet, and communal. Here, a small flock cruises down the marina’s slow channel with dignity and aplomb.
Living in the “inner bay” – directly on shores of San Francisco Bay – brings one into close contact with Canada geese. Until recently, my impression of Canada geese tended to the unfavorable: noisy, poopy, poopy, and noisy…
Then, small flocks on Canada geese arrived on Old River – in front of my houseboat. They’ve settled in … and I’ve fallen in love with them. Old River brings out the best in Canada geese. Unlike their habits along the bay, where they’re noisy and intrusive, on the river they’re quiet, and communal. Here, a small flock cruises down the marina’s slow channel with dignity and aplomb.
Recently, visiting Canada geese demonstrate keen gustatory pleasure with water hyacinth – an invasive’s invasive.
Further posts on invasive plants - in the Delta , and in South Africa)
The upside? I’m privileged enough to have a place of refuge….
Week 67
Here’s hopin’ ….
Further posts on invasive plants - in the Delta , and in South Africa)
***
Climate refugee? I’ve departed my houseboat twice in the five weeks since I returned to California – due to excessive heat. Over the next few days, temperatures are predicted to reach 103F, 104F, 109F, and 111F, before dropping into the “cooler” upper 90s. The upside? I’m privileged enough to have a place of refuge….
Week 67
Day 468, Monday, July 5 - Reprieve
News blues
Covid-19: Eight common questions answered about the Delta variant***
Fauci: Delta Variant Will Soon Be Dominant U.S. Strain. Get Vaccinated.
The White House’s chief medical adviser urged unvaccinated Americans to get shots as a far more serious and transmissible variant of the coronavirus spreads. ***
If you’re American (or interested) see how vaccinations are going in your state and county***
Africa. As the more contagious delta variant starts to spread across the least-vaccinated continent, cases are rising, hospitals are being overrun and deaths are mounting. With little prospect of a significant proportion of Africans being vaccinated in coming months as rich nations continue to hoard shots, epidemiologists expect another wave of disease will follow before the end of the year. That carries the risk of more vaccine-resistant variants developing, endangering not just Africans but also the rest of the world.Read more >>
“This third wave is going to be devastating because in Africa and South Africa we couldn’t get access to vaccines when we needed them most,” said Tulio de Oliveira, director of Krisp, a South African genetic-sequencing institute. “If we don’t get vaccines in the next couple of months we risk another devastating wave, not only in numbers but in lives.”
Africa remains woefully under-vaccinated, with only 1.1% of the continent’s 1.2 billion people having gotten a jab compared with about 50% of the populations of the U.S. and the U.K. that are fully inoculated. Only 50 million of the more than 3 billion doses of vaccines that have been administered globally have been in Africa, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the effects of that are becoming apparent.
***
The Lincoln Project honors Independence Day (0:55 mins)Healthy planet, anyone?
Every human being on earth is caught in the repercussions from the over-use-of-plastics. There’s little effective will from those over-producing plastics to cut back. Now, there’s a call for a global treaty to end production of ‘virgin’ plastic by 2040.Perhaps such a treaty will work. After all, this survey suggests a small majority believe there is still time to avert climate disaster…
***
Our World in Data: “The world is making progress on clean water and sanitation, but is far behind its target to ensure universal access by 2030.” Here’s hopin’ ….
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
A developing ritual: early each morning me and my feather duster circumnavigate the boat and discourage spiders. During spring, summer, and fall, local spiders work hard at replicating the species and its up to us – me and my feather duster – to maintain balance.I admire spiders’ dedicated persistence, but I prefer my water-bound days free of entanglements with sticky webs. Removing webs from the boat – exterior and interior - the plants – tomato, cucumber, parley, mint, and an array of succulents – and furniture – chaise longue, table, BBQ equipment – calms.
Moreover, clearing spider web requires I present an assertive physical presence on the finger pier between my boat and that of my starboard neighbor. He’s turned into the rundown marina equivalent of a “get off my lawn” sub-urbanite. Well, a suburbanite expect for the frequent aggressively loud rap music and wafts of ‘herb’. And verbal abuse. The verbal abuse is new, and hurled at me from his mosquito netted enclosed bow.
His abuse included the useful information that, “no one here has got your back…” This is something I already know for, in essence, he means, “you’re in a predominantly male environment, you/your independence pisses us off, and no man here has got your back.”
Naturally, as a woman who has learned to look out for herself, I wrote up a summary of the incident and the background and emailed it to a friend, explaining, “This email labeled Record 1 as I expect more such incidents. Those will be labeled Record 2, Record 3, etc., as required.
Be prepared. That’s my motto, ironically echoed by Boy Scouts of America. Y’know, the lads who too often grow up to be men like my neighbor.
On the other hand, this dragonfly – probably a male - resting on the inflatable today, is an example of glorious nature.
Moreover, clearing spider web requires I present an assertive physical presence on the finger pier between my boat and that of my starboard neighbor. He’s turned into the rundown marina equivalent of a “get off my lawn” sub-urbanite. Well, a suburbanite expect for the frequent aggressively loud rap music and wafts of ‘herb’. And verbal abuse. The verbal abuse is new, and hurled at me from his mosquito netted enclosed bow.
His abuse included the useful information that, “no one here has got your back…” This is something I already know for, in essence, he means, “you’re in a predominantly male environment, you/your independence pisses us off, and no man here has got your back.”
Naturally, as a woman who has learned to look out for herself, I wrote up a summary of the incident and the background and emailed it to a friend, explaining, “This email labeled Record 1 as I expect more such incidents. Those will be labeled Record 2, Record 3, etc., as required.
Be prepared. That’s my motto, ironically echoed by Boy Scouts of America. Y’know, the lads who too often grow up to be men like my neighbor.
***
Dragon fly on, my hearty! You’re a nice start to the day.
Today is another holiday day, a holiday day in lieu of yesterday’s holiday day that fell on a Sunday. American workers, often over-workers, have fewer vacation days and fewer days off from work than workers in the workplaces of any other Western countries.
I say, enjoy! One day of reprieve from work is better than no day of reprieve from work.
In Iran, Covid-19 has killed more than 84,000 people out of over 3.2 million infections. These figures, according to authorities, do not account for all cases.
That goal has yet materialize – among humans, that is.
Zoo animals, however, are a different story.
An observation about my “internal process”: I grew up in what family psychologists would call “a non-nurturing environment.”
Unconsciously – I was nothing if not unconscious – holding that that non-nurturing environment would not sully my chosen life path of discovery, I elbowed my way with bravado through situations where caution might have been wiser.
Day 467, Sunday, July 4 - Ponderings
News blues
Delta variant now has been found in up to 98 countries and it’s spread hobbles global efforts to lift COVID-19 restrictions. Vaccines that reduce hospitalizations and deaths are tempering economic concerns — but not in poorer, less-inoculated countries.***
Health service buckling as third coronavirus wave fueled by Delta variant sweeps across South Africa. In Iran, Covid-19 has killed more than 84,000 people out of over 3.2 million infections. These figures, according to authorities, do not account for all cases.
Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, has expressed fears that Iran will be hit by a new wave of Covid-19 due to an outbreak of the Delta variant in the Middle East’s hardest-hit country.Read more >>
“It is feared that we are on the way to a fifth wave throughout the country,” Rouhani told a meeting of Iran’s anti-virus taskforce, warning the public to be careful as the Delta variant had entered the country from the south and south-east.
***
A month ago, even as President Biden laid out a goal to vaccinate 70% of American adults by today, Independence Day, he conceded the U.S. would need to overcome “doubters” and laziness to do it. “This is your choice … It’s life and death.”That goal has yet materialize – among humans, that is.
Zoo animals, however, are a different story.
Tigers Ginger and Molly were the first two animals at the Oakland Zoo to get the vaccine this week, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday. The doses were donated and developed by veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis in New Jersey.
Healthy planet, anyone?
ExxonMobil, cont’d…0ver the past decade, Exxon Mobil Corp. ― once the chief funder of think tanks that sowed lies about how burning fossil fuels affects the planet’s temperature ― abandoned its denial of climate change and embraced economists’ favored solution: putting a tax on carbon emissions.
But on Wednesday, a veteran lobbyist at the nation’s largest oil producer was secretly recorded on video seemingly confirming what many environmentalists had long suspected ― that Exxon Mobil believes a carbon tax is politically impossible, and thus has supported it as a ploy to prevent lawmakers from enacting more popular climate policies.
***
New oilfield in African wilderness threatens lives of 130,000 elephants ***
Yellowstone’s most famous geyser could shut down, with huge ramifications
If temperatures rise 10F by the century’s end as projected, Old Faithful could stop erupting, and the snowpack that feeds rivers throughout the west may disappear.Read more in The Guardian >>
Keeping alive the tradition of non-traditional on this boat, today I intend to apply my new battery-operated hand saw to the half-sheet of plywood recently purchased from the Eco-Center (specializing in good-value-for-money recycled materials) and create a rolling storage shelf. And swim.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Yesterday was the first day, since I returned to California last month, that wispy clouds overhead softened relentless heat. A perfect day on the Delta. Friends visited to celebrate Independence Day – one day early to avoid crowded waterways – with traditional BBQ/”braai” and untraditional cuisine: roasted veggies and corn/”mealies”, lamb, couscous … and, naturally, dairy-free ice-cream. Plus, swimming. And friendship. Perfect.Keeping alive the tradition of non-traditional on this boat, today I intend to apply my new battery-operated hand saw to the half-sheet of plywood recently purchased from the Eco-Center (specializing in good-value-for-money recycled materials) and create a rolling storage shelf. And swim.
An observation about my “internal process”: I grew up in what family psychologists would call “a non-nurturing environment.”
Unconsciously – I was nothing if not unconscious – holding that that non-nurturing environment would not sully my chosen life path of discovery, I elbowed my way with bravado through situations where caution might have been wiser.
Wiser with age and burdened by guilt, these days I’m more cautious.
Perhaps over-cautious? Yesterday, my anxiety peaked. First, I’d forgotten how to light gas cookers; experimenting with potentially explosive gas is anxiety-provoking. Then I abandoned my intention of installing onto the transom of the Sea Eagle inflatable, the electrical trolling motor and battery. I’d purchased both before the pandemic – 2 years ago – and never used them. Yesterday, fear of dropping either or both into the river predominated. Perhaps smart to wait, it’s also disappointing. Back in the day, heedless youth barging through barriers ignored any anxiety and caution so heedful senior years acknowledging both is a sign of developing a healthier psyche. It is also disorienting… which creates further anxiety.
The human. A bundle of contradictions.
I ponder, therefore I seek balance?
The good news? Collective action with friends helping to figure out the gas cookers succeeded in producing a delicious meal… while enjoying a beautiful river, amazing bird life, and the luxury of friendship.
Life is good – if one allows it….
Week 66
This time last year, few expected the pandemic to last. Yet here we are, infection and deaths rates still soaring.
Worldwide (Map)
July 1, 2021: 182,133,000 confirmed infections; 3,949,200 deaths
July 30, 2020: 17,096,000 confirmed infections; 668,590 deaths
US (Map)
July 1, 2021: 33,667,000 confirmed infections; 604,720 deaths
July 30, 2020: 4,451,000 confirmed infections; 151,270 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
July 1, 2021: 1,973,980 confirmed infections; 60,647 deaths
July 30, 2020: 471,125 confirmed infections; 7,498 deaths
So much happened in one year. Post from this time last year: Handed trash? Make compost
The human. A bundle of contradictions.
I ponder, therefore I seek balance?
The good news? Collective action with friends helping to figure out the gas cookers succeeded in producing a delicious meal… while enjoying a beautiful river, amazing bird life, and the luxury of friendship.
Life is good – if one allows it….
Week 66
Day 464, Thursday, July 1 - Disaster for the planet
This time last year, few expected the pandemic to last. Yet here we are, infection and deaths rates still soaring.Worldwide (Map)
July 1, 2021: 182,133,000 confirmed infections; 3,949,200 deaths
July 30, 2020: 17,096,000 confirmed infections; 668,590 deaths
US (Map)
July 1, 2021: 33,667,000 confirmed infections; 604,720 deaths
July 30, 2020: 4,451,000 confirmed infections; 151,270 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
July 1, 2021: 1,973,980 confirmed infections; 60,647 deaths
July 30, 2020: 471,125 confirmed infections; 7,498 deaths
So much happened in one year. Post from this time last year: Handed trash? Make compost
Healthy planet, anyone?
In a December report, United Nations environmental researchers acknowledge that even as global carbon emissions were expected to decrease by about 7% this year due to coronavirus restrictions on normal activities, they had only “briefly slowed ― but were far from eliminated, adding to the historic and ever-increasing burden of human activity on the Earth’s climate...” In summary,
ExxonMobil is keeping "big oil" alive and well. Now, however, Keith McCoy, a senior ExxonMobil lobbyist on Capitol Hill who has represented the company in its liaison with the U.S. Congress for the last eight years, let the cat out the bag. He named the senators on ExxonMobil’s payroll and doing their biding.
Keith McCoy explained that lobbyists aim to have close relationships with officials.
Historic firesRead “This Year Was A Disaster For The Planet” >>
This year was a record-breaker for fires in California — again. As of last year, four of the five largest wildfires in the fire-prone state happened this decade alone. This year, four of the five largest wildfires in state history happened this year alone.
Record-breaking heat
This year is on track to be one of the two hottest ever on record. The planet had its hottest September and its second hottest July and November ever, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Deadly storms
The 2020 storm season was the most active on record. Subtropical storm Theta in November was the 29th named storm of the Atlantic season — breaking the record for the highest number of storms in a year. For only the second time in history, the predetermined list of 21 storm names ran out, leading scientists to use the Greek alphabet to name subsequent storms.
Dramatic loss of sea ice
This year, the Arctic’s sea ice cover shrank to its second lowest levels since records started being kept in the late 1970s, according to NASA. The 14 smallest ice coverage extents for the region have all occurred in the last 14 years, per the NOAA.
The amount of Arctic sea ice coverage each October has declined about 10% per decade — losing an area about the size of South Carolina each year, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
***
Another disaster for the planet? ExxonMobil.ExxonMobil is keeping "big oil" alive and well. Now, however, Keith McCoy, a senior ExxonMobil lobbyist on Capitol Hill who has represented the company in its liaison with the U.S. Congress for the last eight years, let the cat out the bag. He named the senators on ExxonMobil’s payroll and doing their biding.
Keith McCoy explained that lobbyists aim to have close relationships with officials.
"You want to be able to go to the chief… and say we need congressman so and so to be able to either introduce this bill, we need him to make a floor statement, we need him to send a letter. You name it, we've asked for everything…."Hmmm. Demotion in McCoy’s future. What about the senators’ futures?
McCoy said he has 11 U.S. senators who are "crucial" in ExxonMobil's efforts:
"Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Joe Manchin, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Senator Jon Tester, Senator Maggie Hassan, Senator John Barrasso, Senator John Cornyn, Senator Steve Daines, Senator Chris Coons, Senator Mark Kelly and Senator Marco Rubio," were all cited.
McCoy went on to explain that the last thing they want is to appear in a public hearing before Congress where the American people can see.
"We don't want it to be us, to have these conversations, especially in a hearing. It's getting our associations to step in and have those conversations and answer those tough questions and be for, the lack of a better term, the whipping boy for some of these members of congress," McCoy confessed.
Read the article >>
***
The Lincoln Project: People are saying… (0:55 mins)Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
I’m back in the “inner bay” – the cool part of San Francisco Bay Area – to do errands, visit a friend, and spread my wings after the confines of my small houseboat. Living aboard fulltime stimulates the “realistic” area of my brain: yes, I love living so close to the “natural” environment. But my houseboat is small - about 264 sq feet of "private" space (place deck space of about 150 sq feet) and it's no longer in a covered slip, but exposed to full sun, full time, with temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit amost days. And 90 is on the cooler days.Can I do this for weeks at a time?
Do I want to do it for weeks at a time?
Enquiring minds wanna know….
Day 463 Wednesday, June 30
News blues
How dangerous is the Delta variant, and will it cause a COVID surge in the U.S.? First identified in India, the Delta variant, more transmissible form of the novel coronavirus, has spread to at least 77 countries and regions and now makes up more than 20 percent of all U.S. cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified it as a “variant of concern.” If vaccination rates fail to keep pace with its spread, experts say, the variant could lead to new COVID surges in parts of the country where a substantial proportion of the population remains.Read in Scientific American >>
And…
After struggling to re-lay the deck (success, after days and many rounds of sanding and scraping to refit) I’m reluctant to begin the next rounds of fixes, from patching the roof, accessing damage to the main iron girder and rotting 2x4 planking under the boat, to repainting and rehanging a set of recycled window blinds.
Living on a small houseboat in a backwater marina, it feels as if Covid 19, the Delta variant, and the recently mentioned Gamma variant, are far away. Nevertheless, I am in the marina fulltime – no earning a living - as I’m still – “officially” – in the post-vax isolation time. I sweat, swim, work, and worry and watch my savings dwindle.
One worry: with dozens of heat-related health issues, should I re-evaluate my live-aboard decision? Is a “lifestyle” weaved around living on and near water and wildlife feasible these days? Yes, it is soothing, beautiful, and peaceful, but it’s also hot, exposed to full sun all day. Not to mention it is amid quirky (moody, unpredictable) people. Not only do I not reach out to fellow mariners, I avoid my immediate starboard-side slip neighbor – with whom I once had a superficially friendly acquaintance. His doses of unsolicited, un-needed, un-welcome advice likely relate to the clouds of MaryJane he generates but tiptoeing around my small living space so as not to invite interactions is dismally unsustainable.
July 4th weekend upcoming. Friends will celebrate onboard on Saturday: good food, BBQ, fishing, boating.
And…
The gap between the most vaccinated and least vaccinated places in the U.S. has exploded in the past three months, and continues to widen despite efforts to convince more Americans to get a Covid shot.Read “Growing Gaps in U.S. Vaccination Rates Show Regions at Risk” >>
On a national level, the news appears good. About 300,000 new people are getting a Covid vaccine every day in the U.S., and 54% of the full U.S population has at least one dose. The country’s vaccine campaign is among the most successful in the world, states have lifted restrictions on business and socializing, and hospitalizations have plunged.
Newly available county-level data show how those national figures hide very different local vaccine realities.
***
In South Africa, the previous Covid-19 resurgence, which peaked in January 2021, was dominated by the Beta variant.The current resurgence in South Africa differs by province, and even within a particular province. Gauteng, the country’s economic hub and one of nine provinces, is probably two to three weeks ahead of what will likely be experienced particularly in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Kwazulu Natal provinces.Read “The Delta variant and vaccine failures push South Africa back into lockdown” >>
In Gauteng the data show that the daily rate of Covid-19 infections in the current wave is two-and-a-half times higher than at the peak of the first or second wave. Unfortunately, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Sunday of stricter lockdown measures is unlikely to stop the trend.
***
The Lincoln Project: Last week in the Republican Party (1.24 mins)Healthy planet, anyone?
After a century of wielding extraordinary economic and political power, America’s petroleum giants face a reckoning for driving the greatest existential threat of our lifetimes.Read “Big oil and gas kept a dirty secret for decades. Now they may pay the price” >>
An unprecedented wave of lawsuits, filed by cities and states across the US, aim to hold the oil and gas industry to account for the environmental devastation caused by fossil fuels – and covering up what they knew along the way.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Hot, hot, hot! While the “heat dome” moved north – this week, Oregon and Washington, and Canada suffer the worst of it - temperatures in the Delta remain in the upper 90s and low 100s. Too hot to trot!After struggling to re-lay the deck (success, after days and many rounds of sanding and scraping to refit) I’m reluctant to begin the next rounds of fixes, from patching the roof, accessing damage to the main iron girder and rotting 2x4 planking under the boat, to repainting and rehanging a set of recycled window blinds.
Living on a small houseboat in a backwater marina, it feels as if Covid 19, the Delta variant, and the recently mentioned Gamma variant, are far away. Nevertheless, I am in the marina fulltime – no earning a living - as I’m still – “officially” – in the post-vax isolation time. I sweat, swim, work, and worry and watch my savings dwindle.
One worry: with dozens of heat-related health issues, should I re-evaluate my live-aboard decision? Is a “lifestyle” weaved around living on and near water and wildlife feasible these days? Yes, it is soothing, beautiful, and peaceful, but it’s also hot, exposed to full sun all day. Not to mention it is amid quirky (moody, unpredictable) people. Not only do I not reach out to fellow mariners, I avoid my immediate starboard-side slip neighbor – with whom I once had a superficially friendly acquaintance. His doses of unsolicited, un-needed, un-welcome advice likely relate to the clouds of MaryJane he generates but tiptoeing around my small living space so as not to invite interactions is dismally unsustainable.
July 4th weekend upcoming. Friends will celebrate onboard on Saturday: good food, BBQ, fishing, boating.
Day 459 Saturday, June 26 - Going bats
News blues
Scientists fear land-use changes as human settlements creep ever closer to wildlife habitat – particularly replacing swaths of forests with development and farmland - could spur the evolution of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19.Areas that have seen dramatic transformations and are home to large bat populations, some scientists believe, could prove to be the starting point of the next coronavirus pandemic. A group of researchers recently set out to identify where future outbreaks might occur, creating a map of potential hot spots—areas with ingredients potentially favorable to SARS-related coronavirus spillovers. They searched for locations that have a high concentration of Asian horseshoe bats, which host the greatest diversity of coronaviruses, and high levels of both human and livestock settlement and forest fragmentation.
Changes in land use and livestock increase risk of coronavirus transmission from rhinolophid bats.
Human and agricultural expansion are steadily increasing the risk of animal-transmitted viruses, and some areas of the the world are more impacted than others. Scientists analyzed the range of rhinolophid bats that host SARS-related coronaviruses in Asia to determine which areas had the highest risk of transmission. With China's agricultural expansion, forests are being clear-cut for cropland, bringing humans and animals closer.
Soren Walljasper, NG Staff
Sources: Maria Cristina Rulli and David Hayman, Springer-Nature; IUCN
Read “Humans are creating hot spots where bats could transmit zoonotic diseases” >>
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday.
Predictions about his proposed response include a ban on all gatherings, a request that everyone work from home if possible, and a two-week ban on alcohol sales.
See the latest figures >>
***
South Africa, particularly Gauteng province with increasing rates of Covid infection, is sagging under the weight of the third wave and the Delta variant. President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday.
Predictions about his proposed response include a ban on all gatherings, a request that everyone work from home if possible, and a two-week ban on alcohol sales.
See the latest figures >>
***
Healthy planet, anyone?
Last week, Californians sweated under the “heat dome”. This week, residents of the Pacific Northwest will sweat:This Sunday could be the hottest day on record in Portland, Oregon, as 13 million people across the Pacific Northwest brace for record heat.
“We’re taking this very seriously as a public health emergency because of the prolonged nature of it,” says Dan Douthit, the public information officer for the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management.
… Oregon’s largest city, along with Seattle (175 miles north) and Spokane (near the Washington-Idaho border) are all expected to feel historic heat in the coming days as a “heat dome” smothers the region. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/heat-dome-deadly-hot-weather-descends-on-pacific-northwest The heatwave gripping the US west is simultaneously breaking hundreds of temperature records, exacerbating a historic drought and priming the landscape for a summer and fall of extreme wildfire.
Among the 40 million Americans enduring the triple-digit temperatures are scientists who study droughts and the climate. They’d long forewarned of this crisis, and now they – an We the People - are living through it.
***
In the Florida Keys city of Marathon, officials agreed to push ahead with a plan to elevate streets throughout the Keys to keep them from perpetual flooding, while admitting they do not have the money to do so.
Instead, we have people in prominent positions suggesting outlandish ideas. Whackadoodle Texas Republican congressman Louie Gohmert, for example,
Read the article >>
Cooler temperatures – upper 80s and low 90s – allow me to inspect and work on my elderly houseboat. The good news: I found a still-usable can of blue paint – alas, oil based with cleanup messy on a boat – and repainted all the blue fencing around the boat. This was straight-forward on the sides but complex on the bow. A floating pontoon moves. So does an inflatable, particularly the inflatable I sat in to conduct the painting… I did it, though, so that’s done for three next couple of years. I also lifted nd repaired plywood decking (3/4 inch plywood is standard material for pontoon boat decking). I continue with this ongoing project, each day collecting greater awareness of decades’ wear and tear on my home.
The bad news? The main steel girder that frames the boat’s beam, particularly the spot where the plywood decking joins the cabin, is highly – dangerously? – rusted. Swimming around under the boat, I can, literally, knock on the girder and chunks of rust, from large to small pieces and much rust dust, falls. I need advice from an expert about how to address this in the short term. I thought I’d found an expert, but he’s not responding with alacrity. Alas. Perhaps his expertise is beyond the level of my need and he’s focusing his attentions with customers with deeper pockets?
I have best intentions and, far as possible, do as much work of the work as I’m able, but I’m far from skilled. Moreover, as a left/right dyslexic, it takes me ages to figure out how to align simple things. An example? Cutting a simple plywood shelf and inserting it under the kitchen cabinet as an extension to the countertop. I measured and remeasured, multiple times, then cut the wood using my newly purchased hand-held Dremel circular saw. Hmmm. Didn’t have plywood around to practice on prior to cutting….
Cuts were slightly off. Slightly, but enough to add hours onto what should have been a simple job. Thank the gods for shims.
The pull-out countertop extension works “well-enough.”
I’ve discovered areas of rotting plywood on the boat roof, too. I exposed one section of rotted roof, roughly gauged what will be required, and am pondering different scenarios on how to address it.
So far, all I’ve come up with? A tarp large enough to cover the entire roof, 36 X 13 feet, so an area close to 500 sq feet. Sure, it would be temporary (wouldn’t it?)
The “red-neck” solution.
Week 65
Things houseboat - and Covid - have kept me so busy that I lost track of the days. It’s already Thursday. Amazing.
A year ago, Week 13, Day 91, Thursday, June 25, I posted “Mindboggling numbers.”
Worldwide (Map)
June 24, 2021: 179,530,600 confirmed infections; 3,890,200 deaths
June 25, 2020: 9,409,000 confirmed infections; 482,190 deaths
US (Map)
June 24, 2021: 33,578,000 confirmed infections; 603,000 deaths
June 25, 2020: 2,381,540 infections; 121,980 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
June 24, 2021: 1,861,100 confirmed infections; 59,260 deaths
June 25, 2020: 111,800 confirmed infections; 2,205 deaths
‘An absolute catastrophe’: Covid-19 deals Gauteng a sucker punch as hospitals fill up
On the other hand, South Africa has been chosen to host the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) first Covid-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology transfer hub to scale up production and access to vaccines.
This will be the first in a series of Covid mRNA vaccine technology transfer hubs that the WHO is launching around the world to boost Covid-19 vaccine supplies. Read more >>
The string of coral cay islands that unspool from the southern tip of Florida finds itself on the frontline of the climate crisis, forcing unenviable choices upon a place that styles itself as sunshine-drenched idyll. The lives of Keys residents – a mixture of wealthy, older white people, the one in four who are Hispanic or Latino, and those struggling in poverty – face being upended.Never fear, though. The humans have it under control. A bit out there, but hey, “we’re only human….”
If the funding isn’t found, the Keys will become one of the first places in the US – and certainly not the last – to inform residents that certain areas will have to be surrendered to the oncoming tides.
“The water is coming and we can’t stop it,” said Michelle Coldiron, mayor of Monroe county, which encompasses the Keys. “Some homes will have to be elevated, some will have to be bought out. It’s very difficult to have these conversations with homeowners, because this is where they live. It can get very emotional.”
Tom Green has a plan to tackle climate change. The British biologist and director of the charity Project Vesta wants to turn a trillion tonnes of CO2 into rock, and sink it to the bottom of the sea.Not to disparage potentially functional ideas to mitigate climate change – since we humans appear unwilling to make actual, real changes, say like agreeing to cut back on fossil fuels and intensifying efforts to use alternative energies, or BAN the use of plastics as of NOW, or address population explosion and planet Earth’s carrying capacity, or STOP forest massacres, etc., etc.
Green admits the idea is “audacious”. It would involve locking away atmospheric carbon by dropping pea-coloured sand into the ocean. The sand is made of ground olivine – an abundant volcanic rock, known to jewellers as peridot – and, if Green’s calculations are correct, depositing it offshore on 2% of the world’s coastlines would capture 100% of total global annual carbon emissions.
Read “Cloud spraying and hurricane slaying: how ocean geoengineering became the frontier of the climate crisis”
Instead, we have people in prominent positions suggesting outlandish ideas. Whackadoodle Texas Republican congressman Louie Gohmert, for example,
has asked a senior US government official if changing the moon’s orbit around the Earth, or the Earth’s orbit around the sun, might be a solution for climate change.Looking on the bright side: one should be grateful that Gohmert, an archconservative, concedes that planet Earth’s climate is changing… Fresh thinking from a Texas Republican….
Read the article >>
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
One week after my second jab - officially not yet “immune” to Covid – I continue feeling no ill effects. I continue to wear my mask when away from the marina (no one in the marina wears a mask). Truth be told, I usually forget my mask in my vehicle must return for it before entering stores. And, life goes on.Cooler temperatures – upper 80s and low 90s – allow me to inspect and work on my elderly houseboat. The good news: I found a still-usable can of blue paint – alas, oil based with cleanup messy on a boat – and repainted all the blue fencing around the boat. This was straight-forward on the sides but complex on the bow. A floating pontoon moves. So does an inflatable, particularly the inflatable I sat in to conduct the painting… I did it, though, so that’s done for three next couple of years. I also lifted nd repaired plywood decking (3/4 inch plywood is standard material for pontoon boat decking). I continue with this ongoing project, each day collecting greater awareness of decades’ wear and tear on my home.
The bad news? The main steel girder that frames the boat’s beam, particularly the spot where the plywood decking joins the cabin, is highly – dangerously? – rusted. Swimming around under the boat, I can, literally, knock on the girder and chunks of rust, from large to small pieces and much rust dust, falls. I need advice from an expert about how to address this in the short term. I thought I’d found an expert, but he’s not responding with alacrity. Alas. Perhaps his expertise is beyond the level of my need and he’s focusing his attentions with customers with deeper pockets?
I have best intentions and, far as possible, do as much work of the work as I’m able, but I’m far from skilled. Moreover, as a left/right dyslexic, it takes me ages to figure out how to align simple things. An example? Cutting a simple plywood shelf and inserting it under the kitchen cabinet as an extension to the countertop. I measured and remeasured, multiple times, then cut the wood using my newly purchased hand-held Dremel circular saw. Hmmm. Didn’t have plywood around to practice on prior to cutting….
Cuts were slightly off. Slightly, but enough to add hours onto what should have been a simple job. Thank the gods for shims.
The pull-out countertop extension works “well-enough.”
I’ve discovered areas of rotting plywood on the boat roof, too. I exposed one section of rotted roof, roughly gauged what will be required, and am pondering different scenarios on how to address it.
So far, all I’ve come up with? A tarp large enough to cover the entire roof, 36 X 13 feet, so an area close to 500 sq feet. Sure, it would be temporary (wouldn’t it?)
The “red-neck” solution.
Week 65
Day 457 Thursday, June 24 - Moon rising
 |
| Full moon rises over the river. Gorgeous. |
Things houseboat - and Covid - have kept me so busy that I lost track of the days. It’s already Thursday. Amazing.
A year ago, Week 13, Day 91, Thursday, June 25, I posted “Mindboggling numbers.”
This week’s numbers of infections and death around the world are rising so precipitously it feels appropriate to examine them, understand them, do our best not to contribute to further rise – and begin a new week fresh and hopeful….On the cusp of Week 66’s numbers compared to Week 13, one year ago
Little did I know, back then, that coronavirus Covid-19 would still be with us one year later. Indeed, that it’s worse in many countries, including South Africa in its third wave of infections.
Worldwide (Map)
June 24, 2021: 179,530,600 confirmed infections; 3,890,200 deaths
June 25, 2020: 9,409,000 confirmed infections; 482,190 deaths
US (Map)
June 24, 2021: 33,578,000 confirmed infections; 603,000 deaths
June 25, 2020: 2,381,540 infections; 121,980 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
June 24, 2021: 1,861,100 confirmed infections; 59,260 deaths
June 25, 2020: 111,800 confirmed infections; 2,205 deaths
News blues
Urgent action needed as third wave sweeps AfricaCovid-19 cases in Africa rose by more than a fifth week-on-week, pushing the total to more than five million. The number of new cases reported in the week has exceeded half the second-wave peak of 224,000 in January, with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Namibia reporting the most weekly cases since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, seven African nations have used all the vaccine doses they received from Covax, the vaccine-sharing facility. Seven more have used more than 80% of theirs.South Africa’s province of Gauteng is experiencing daily increase in Covid-19 infections that is 21% higher than the previous peak in January 2021.
‘An absolute catastrophe’: Covid-19 deals Gauteng a sucker punch as hospitals fill up
On the other hand, South Africa has been chosen to host the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) first Covid-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology transfer hub to scale up production and access to vaccines.
This will be the first in a series of Covid mRNA vaccine technology transfer hubs that the WHO is launching around the world to boost Covid-19 vaccine supplies. Read more >>
***
India's vaccinations hit record with free Covid shots India gave out a record five million vaccine doses on Monday under a federal campaign to inoculate all adults for free after weeks of criticism that a chaotic roll-out had worsened a second wave that killed hundreds of thousands. Over the past 30 days India has administered an average 2.7 million doses a day.Brazil passes half a million Covid-19 deaths
Brazil's death toll from Covid-19 has surpassed 500,000 as experts warn that the world's second-deadliest outbreak may worsen due to delayed vaccinations and the government's refusal to back physical distancing measures. Only 11% of Brazilians have been fully vaccinated. Thousands of Brazilians protested against President Jair Bolsonaro's management of the pandemic in nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, blaming the administration for the high death toll.
***
Expect the Unexpected From the Delta Variant. There’s no way of knowing how bad things will get in the U.S. In a way, that’s a luxury.
This much is clear: The coronavirus is becoming more transmissible. Ever since the virus emerged in China, it has been gaining mutations that help it spread more easily among humans. The Alpha variant, first detected in the United Kingdom last year, is 50 percent more transmissible than the original version, and now the Delta variant, first detected in India, is at least 40 percent more transmissible than Alpha.Read more >>
***
In hunt for Covid’s origin, new studies point away from lab leak theory***
The Lincoln Project: The Mission (1:14 mins)
Juneteenth (1:24 mins)
Oceana: Amazon (AMZN) plastic problem set to skyrocket with Prime Day booming sales.
Learn more about Oceana.org >>
I’ve completed my 2-part Pfizer vax program and, while I didn’t win the million dollar prize, California’s vaccine incentive program will deliver me some sort of runner-up reward, perhaps $50 or a trip to Disneyland, or some other place.
(The million-dollar lotteries is having trouble lining people up.)
I expected my second Pfizer jab to hit me harder than the first, but other than the site of the second jab requiring an ice pack for several hours, it was easy peasy.
Juneteenth (1:24 mins)
Healthy planet, anyone?
Oceana: Amazon (AMZN) plastic problem set to skyrocket with Prime Day booming sales.
Anne Schroeer, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Oceana, issued the following statement calling on the major online retailer to reduce single-use plastic packaging and give customers a plastic-free packaging choice. “As Prime Day and Amazon continue to grow, so too does the company’s devastating impact on the environment. In December 2020, Oceana exposed Amazon’s massive plastic footprint, which amounted to an estimated 465 million pounds of plastic packaging in 2019. Our research estimates that, in 2019 alone, up to 22.44 million pounds of Amazon’s plastic packaging waste polluted the world’s freshwater and marine ecosystems where it can wreak havoc on marine life – that’s the equivalent of dumping a delivery van payload of plastic into the ocean every 70 minutes.Read more >>
Learn more about Oceana.org >>
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
(The million-dollar lotteries is having trouble lining people up.)
I expected my second Pfizer jab to hit me harder than the first, but other than the site of the second jab requiring an ice pack for several hours, it was easy peasy.
If you haven’t already, and your country is vaccinating, I recommend it.
I mentioned to a friend that I’m beginning to recognize the reality of climate refugeeism. She thought I was joking. Not so. Decisions I’ve made in my life have me opting for simple: simple living, modest income, creativity, and independence. The upside downside: living in a houseboat suits me, living on the San Joaquin River is a gift. Alas, climate change in California means increasing drought, increasing heat, increasing heat waves. Lack of environmental protections means increasingly foul, even toxic water, air, and land.
That’s the future.
Am I sorry I’m pursuing this "lifestyle”?
Alarmed, perhaps. Sorry? No.
***
I avoided the Delta and houseboat living for the duration of last week’s soaring temperatures (up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit last Thursday). Temps have been in the balmy upper 80s and low 90s since then. (They start to rise again this weekend, into the high 90s and low 100s.)I mentioned to a friend that I’m beginning to recognize the reality of climate refugeeism. She thought I was joking. Not so. Decisions I’ve made in my life have me opting for simple: simple living, modest income, creativity, and independence. The upside downside: living in a houseboat suits me, living on the San Joaquin River is a gift. Alas, climate change in California means increasing drought, increasing heat, increasing heat waves. Lack of environmental protections means increasingly foul, even toxic water, air, and land.
That’s the future.
Am I sorry I’m pursuing this "lifestyle”?
Alarmed, perhaps. Sorry? No.
The moon, after all, is full and bright tonight. Canada geese have been visiting the river the last few days.
Life is good.
Week 64
Numbers this week compared to numbers last week (Thursday, June 10):
Worldwide (Map)
June 17, 2021 – 1.77,120,700 confirmed infections; 3,835,000 deaths
June 10, 2021 – 174,500,000 confirmed infections; 3,759,200 deaths
US (Map)
June 17, 2021 – 33,500,000 confirmed infections; 600,700 deaths
June 10, 2021 – 33,415,000 confirmed infections; 598,400 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
June 17, 2021 – 1.774,500 confirmed infections; 58,225 deaths
June 10, 2021 – 1,713,000 confirmed infections; 57,320 deaths
South Africa’s Covid-19 infections jumped by 13,246 on Wednesday, the highest daily total in five months, its government said.
Countries of Covid Concern – 2021
India: Update according to WHO >>
June 17, 129,700,350 confirmed infections; 382,000 deaths
June 11: 29,183,000 confirmed infections; 356,000 deaths
Brazil:
June 17, 628,600 confirmed infections; 493,700 deaths
June 11, 2021: 17,123,000 confirmed infections; 480,000 deaths
Brazil has had 95,367 new cases of coronavirus reported in the past 24 hours and 2,997 deaths, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, the South American country has now registered 17,628,588 cases since the pandemic began while the official death toll has risen to 493,693.
Post from one pandemic year ago: “He Speaks!”
Doonesbury at 50! An interview with the cartoonist
Roughly 50 million people across the Western U.S. are under some form of heat-related alert from the National Weather Service, which predicted record-setting heat this week just about everywhere west of the Rocky Mountains.
Pandemic in South Africa coupled with the lack of TV coverage of US news meant I watched news clips on YouTube. Fast forward to this heatwave and sheltering with air con and a large TV in a friend’s apartment. Since I’ve been here – two days – I’ve returned to his sofa to catch up on early evening TV new. Main takeaway: why on earth do Americans put up with so many commercials? Groups of commercials – 5 or 6, many advertising big pharma - run every 10 minutes or so. Cable news is about 40 percent commercials. Un-f**ing-believable. Nevertheless, it is good to watch the news again.
I miss walking. The drawback to living on a houseboat in the Delta? No safe areas to walk. While the heatwave rages and I’m hunkered down with air con by day, I’ll do what I did this morning: arise and walk the neighborhood in the early morning – cool, delightful – and late afternoon – warm, delightful….
Curfew from 10 pm to 4am
Restaurants and “non-essential business” must close by 9pm to allow travel home.
Funerals and cremations max 50 people or, for small venues, 50% of space capacity
Max 50 indoors, 100 outdoors
Alcohol retail sales from 10am to 6pm, Monday through Thursday; no consumption in public or on public holidays
Officials are closely monitoring data and expertise to save lives. Going forward:
Masks must cover nose and mouth (criminal offense not to do so
Social distancing must be practiced.
People must take action to protect themselves and others.
Vax program: shortages, hindrances, supplies reduced, but 500 sites currently operating. Aim for 250,000 vaccinations per day
President ended with: “We’ll not be deterred. We will succeed. We are people made of sterner stuff: succeed we will and succeed we must.”
Listen and watch (24:10 mind)
Confirmed Cases: 1 747 082
Confirmed Deaths: 57 765
Confirmed Recoveries: 1 606 581
Vaccines Administered: 1 773 417
To help you better understand what Delta means for you, and for the global fight against the coronavirus, review the answers to six quick questions.
I’ve have running water for more than 24 hours. Luxury!
I inspected the area today and it looks solid.
Over the past 14 days, I frequently thought of fellow South Africans who must carry empty utensils, buckets, etc., to fill at a communal “tap” (faucet) then schlepp that heavy load home. Onerous. A crying shame in a country whose leaders, 26 years ago, promised people decent homes, running water, etc. Instead, corruption reigns.
More corruption: Over the past two weeks, Eskom, the national power supply commission, subjected the nation’s people to more load shedding … and increased the cost of the minimal electricity they did supply.
Eskom’s bill for my mother’s house doubled. This, for only two people drawing electricity – lights only, no electric hot water heaters, no electric stoves, sitting around a fireplace at night.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least a dozen countries have so far confirmed the presence of the variant now named the Delta variant - first detected in India late last year. These countries include Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
This third wave is further straining an overwhelmed health system and further complicating the painfully slow progress being made with vaccinations.
Almost afraid to test the holding power of my latest effort, I’m contemplating yet another trip down there, this time to adhere another layer of material around the fix – just in case yesterday’s fix didn’t fix. It’s been 11 days of DIY. If this attempt fails, I’ll capitulate and hire someone to fix it.
This floating island of invasives is, so far this year, the largest to drift back and forth on river tides.
Week 64
Day 450 Thursday, June 17 - Delights
Numbers this week compared to numbers last week (Thursday, June 10): Worldwide (Map)
June 17, 2021 – 1.77,120,700 confirmed infections; 3,835,000 deaths
June 10, 2021 – 174,500,000 confirmed infections; 3,759,200 deaths
US (Map)
June 17, 2021 – 33,500,000 confirmed infections; 600,700 deaths
June 10, 2021 – 33,415,000 confirmed infections; 598,400 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
June 17, 2021 – 1.774,500 confirmed infections; 58,225 deaths
June 10, 2021 – 1,713,000 confirmed infections; 57,320 deaths
South Africa’s Covid-19 infections jumped by 13,246 on Wednesday, the highest daily total in five months, its government said.
Countries of Covid Concern – 2021
India: Update according to WHO >>
June 17, 129,700,350 confirmed infections; 382,000 deaths
June 11: 29,183,000 confirmed infections; 356,000 deaths
Brazil:
June 17, 628,600 confirmed infections; 493,700 deaths
June 11, 2021: 17,123,000 confirmed infections; 480,000 deaths
Brazil has had 95,367 new cases of coronavirus reported in the past 24 hours and 2,997 deaths, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, the South American country has now registered 17,628,588 cases since the pandemic began while the official death toll has risen to 493,693.
Post from one pandemic year ago: “He Speaks!”
News blues
California lifts most COVID-19 restrictions“California has turned the page. Let us all celebrate this remarkable milestone,” an exuberant and mask-less Governor Newsom declared from an outdoor stage at Universal Studios Hollywood, where he hosted a game show-style selection of 10 residents to receive $1.5 million apiece, just for getting vaccinated. “Today is a day to reconnect with strangers, loved ones, family members. Give people hugs.”Hmmm, I guess I didn’t win anything “just for getting vaccinated.” (I go for my second dose of Pfizer on Sunday June 20.)
***
Covid-19 cases have fallen far below the winter peak, but in the US the Delta variant has roughly doubled every two weeks The Delta variant is spreading at an uncertain time in the US. Covid-19 cases have fallen far below the winter peak, from an average of more than 250,000 new diagnoses a day in January to about 14,000 a day in June. Fewer cases have coincided with fewer hospitalizations and deaths.
This has led state after state to lift all social distancing guidelines, including in California, which gave the green light to large indoor gatherings such as sporting events. Now, social distancing and mask requirements are largely operating on the honor system.
But, even as pandemic guidelines recede, Delta has roughly doubled every two weeks in the US, a pattern once followed by Alpha, the variant first discovered in the UK, which eventually came to represent the vast majority of new US infections. The Delta variant has also delayed the UK’s planned reopening.
***
The Lincoln Project: How Trump gets back to the White House (1:02 mins) Doonesbury at 50! An interview with the cartoonist
Healthy planet, anyone?
Scientists who study drought and climate change say that people living in the American West can expect to see more of the same [sorts of heat waves] in the coming years.
“Heat waves are getting worse in the West because the soil is so dry” from the region's megadrought, said Park Williams, a climate and fire scientist who has calculated that soil in the western half of the nation is the driest it has been since 1895. “We could have two, three, four, five of these heat waves before the end of the summer.”
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
After 1.5 years of pandemic in South Africa, I’ve been in California for 19 days, most of which have been under quarantine and “isolated” on my houseboat in the Delta. I do not own a television. I have not owned a TV for 2 decades although Donald Trump’s run for president, shocking victory, and disastrous incumbency in the White House turned me into a TV news junkie. Back then, I could hardly wait to plop on a sofa and catch up with The Trumpster.Pandemic in South Africa coupled with the lack of TV coverage of US news meant I watched news clips on YouTube. Fast forward to this heatwave and sheltering with air con and a large TV in a friend’s apartment. Since I’ve been here – two days – I’ve returned to his sofa to catch up on early evening TV new. Main takeaway: why on earth do Americans put up with so many commercials? Groups of commercials – 5 or 6, many advertising big pharma - run every 10 minutes or so. Cable news is about 40 percent commercials. Un-f**ing-believable. Nevertheless, it is good to watch the news again.
***
Until my 2020 departure for South Africa, I regularly accompanied my friend for a late afternoon walk in his neighborhood. Yesterday, despite the late afternoon swelter, we walked the usual route. Changes since I’d been gone: a new library under construction, taller trees spreading, oak saplings planted, the stream already dry, my fav fig tree not producing figs this year, tasty small plums from my fav wild plum tree already harvested.I miss walking. The drawback to living on a houseboat in the Delta? No safe areas to walk. While the heatwave rages and I’m hunkered down with air con by day, I’ll do what I did this morning: arise and walk the neighborhood in the early morning – cool, delightful – and late afternoon – warm, delightful….
Day 447 Tuesday, June 15 - Alerts and advisories
News blues
South Africa’s President Ramaphosa addressed that nation and upped that country' Covid Alert Level, from 2 to 3. As of today, “action will be taken” against those not complying with restrictions that include:Curfew from 10 pm to 4am
Restaurants and “non-essential business” must close by 9pm to allow travel home.
Funerals and cremations max 50 people or, for small venues, 50% of space capacity
Max 50 indoors, 100 outdoors
Alcohol retail sales from 10am to 6pm, Monday through Thursday; no consumption in public or on public holidays
Officials are closely monitoring data and expertise to save lives. Going forward:
Masks must cover nose and mouth (criminal offense not to do so
Social distancing must be practiced.
People must take action to protect themselves and others.
Vax program: shortages, hindrances, supplies reduced, but 500 sites currently operating. Aim for 250,000 vaccinations per day
President ended with: “We’ll not be deterred. We will succeed. We are people made of sterner stuff: succeed we will and succeed we must.”
Listen and watch (24:10 mind)
***
South Africa’s Covid Dashboard (Updated 11:30, 14 June 2021):Confirmed Cases: 1 747 082
Confirmed Deaths: 57 765
Confirmed Recoveries: 1 606 581
Vaccines Administered: 1 773 417
***
Delta, a scary new variant of the coronavirus, is spreading both stateside and abroad. The good news: In the matchup between vaccines and variants, the vaccines remain ahead for now.To help you better understand what Delta means for you, and for the global fight against the coronavirus, review the answers to six quick questions.
***
COVID infections drop where people are vaccinated, rise where they’re not
As recently as June 4, US states with higher vaccination rates did not have significantly lower case rates than states where few people were vaccinated. The Lincoln Project: Celebrate (0:43 mins)
Since last week, the National Weather Service has issued heat advisories that include warnings about “excessive heat” with temps varying from 104F to 111F/ 40C to 44C – hot in any measurement.
The 104F temperature I endured soon after I returned to my boat knocked me out. I’ve no reason to expect several days of further excessive heat will be easier so I plan to skedaddle to more temperate climes. Weather in the “inner Bay” – Alameda, Oakland, San Francisco is predicted to run 25 to 30 degrees (F) cooler.
Healthy planet, anyone?
Carbon Dioxide in Atmosphere Hits Record High Despite Pandemic Dip***
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
The 104F temperature I endured soon after I returned to my boat knocked me out. I’ve no reason to expect several days of further excessive heat will be easier so I plan to skedaddle to more temperate climes. Weather in the “inner Bay” – Alameda, Oakland, San Francisco is predicted to run 25 to 30 degrees (F) cooler.
***
After 14 days of alternatives, I adopted the “nuclear option” for plugging the plumbing problem under the boat: a putty and tape combo replete with warnings of toxicity, mandatory use of gloves, etc. I consider applying toxic materials, particularly near river water, a last resort. But it worked: after 14 days with no running water into the boat and many attempts to plug the pipe – one attempt included fish biting me on the butt, twice! – I succeeded in plugging the pipe.I’ve have running water for more than 24 hours. Luxury!
I inspected the area today and it looks solid.
Over the past 14 days, I frequently thought of fellow South Africans who must carry empty utensils, buckets, etc., to fill at a communal “tap” (faucet) then schlepp that heavy load home. Onerous. A crying shame in a country whose leaders, 26 years ago, promised people decent homes, running water, etc. Instead, corruption reigns.
More corruption: Over the past two weeks, Eskom, the national power supply commission, subjected the nation’s people to more load shedding … and increased the cost of the minimal electricity they did supply.
Eskom’s bill for my mother’s house doubled. This, for only two people drawing electricity – lights only, no electric hot water heaters, no electric stoves, sitting around a fireplace at night.
***
What is remarkable in the marina: no Covid cases and very little mask compliance. Perhaps its the outdoor lifestyle?
Day 444 Saturday, June 12 - What price success?
News blues
Southern Africa is in its third wave of Covid-19 thought to be partly associated with the emergence of more transmissible variants.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least a dozen countries have so far confirmed the presence of the variant now named the Delta variant - first detected in India late last year. These countries include Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
This third wave is further straining an overwhelmed health system and further complicating the painfully slow progress being made with vaccinations.
***
Experts say that understanding how the virus first leapt from animals to humans is essential to preventing future pandemics. Even as we still don’t know the origins of the coronavirus, explore four possible origin scenarios >> ***
The Lincoln Project: The Real Antifa (1:05 mins) Healthy planet, anyone?
‘We’re causing our own misery’: oceanographer Sylvia Earle on the need for sea conservationThe world has the opportunity in the next 10 years to restore our oceans to health after decades of steep decline – but to achieve that, people must wake up to the problem, join in efforts to protect marine areas… oh, to stop eating tuna….
***
In the business-as-usual scenario emissions from food production alone could use up all of our 1.5°C or 2°C carbon budget. We have a range of opportunities to avoid this. But will we?
One-quarter to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions come from our food systems and from various sources: deforestation and land use change; emissions from fertilizers and manure; methane from cattle; methane from rice production; energy use on the farm; supply chain emissions from food processing, refrigeration; and transport.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Is today the day for shore water running through the houseboat’s faucets? Will yesterday’s foray under the boat to patch a redundant pipe succeed where half a dozen earlier forays failed?Almost afraid to test the holding power of my latest effort, I’m contemplating yet another trip down there, this time to adhere another layer of material around the fix – just in case yesterday’s fix didn’t fix. It’s been 11 days of DIY. If this attempt fails, I’ll capitulate and hire someone to fix it.
***
I think of these floating entities as organic distribution centers for alien invasives into the Delta.
The crews whose job it is to discourage invasive plants unfortunately wait until late summer and then, instead of capturing the floating islands, indiscriminately spray all river plants – therefore birds, animals, and fish - with toxic pesticides. By the end of summer, river banks and islands are brown, curled, and uniformly dead.
The good news? Concerned anglers discovered and photographed scores of dead fish and wildlife in many parts of the Delta, including Sandmound Slough in Bethel Island, Rock Slough near Knightsen (where my boat is moored and where I swim) and Horseshoe Bend in Brentwood.
Native to the northern neotropics of South America, water hyacinth has successfully colonized North and South America, eastern and southern Africa, and Asia.
Week 63
Worldwide (Map)
June 10, 2021 – 174,500,000 confirmed infections; 3,759,200 deaths
March 11, 2021 – 117, 645,000 confirmed infections; 2,612,000 deaths
US (Map)
June 10, 2021 – 33,415,000 confirmed infections; 598,400 deaths
March 11, 2021 - 29,222,420 confirmed infections; 529,884 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
June 10, 2021 – 1,713,000 confirmed infections; 57,320 deaths
March 11, 2021 – 1.522,700 confirmed infections; 50,910 deaths
Countries of Covid Concern
June 10, 2021
The crews whose job it is to discourage invasive plants unfortunately wait until late summer and then, instead of capturing the floating islands, indiscriminately spray all river plants – therefore birds, animals, and fish - with toxic pesticides. By the end of summer, river banks and islands are brown, curled, and uniformly dead.
The good news? Concerned anglers discovered and photographed scores of dead fish and wildlife in many parts of the Delta, including Sandmound Slough in Bethel Island, Rock Slough near Knightsen (where my boat is moored and where I swim) and Horseshoe Bend in Brentwood.
…it wasn't just what [anglers] saw, it's what they say they smelled on the Delta too.Ironically, yesterday I met a couple seeking a spot easily to harvest and carry home invasive hyacinth for their backyard fishpond. Hyacinths are pretty. Indeed, in South Africa, I too have transplanted water hyacinth from waterways into a small fishpond in my mother’s garden. I was, however, careful to isolate them in a pond far from the stream to ensure the plants couldn’t “escape” and replicate willy nilly.
"It smells almost like an over-chlorinated swimming pool,’’ said a long-time competitive bass fisherman. Chlorine was so strong it made fishermen’s eyes water and their throats burn.
The indiscriminate die-off problem became so acute that thousands of people, including fishermen, boaters, swimmers and those who live along the Delta, banded together to form and support the Norcal Delta Angler's Coalition. The group shares information about the die-offs and keeps tabs on the California State Parks Department of Boating and Waterways to monitor pesticide use on the Delta.
Learn more and get involved >>
Native to the northern neotropics of South America, water hyacinth has successfully colonized North and South America, eastern and southern Africa, and Asia.
Week 63
Day 442 Thursday, June 10 - Renewings
Worldwide (Map) June 10, 2021 – 174,500,000 confirmed infections; 3,759,200 deaths
March 11, 2021 – 117, 645,000 confirmed infections; 2,612,000 deaths
US (Map)
June 10, 2021 – 33,415,000 confirmed infections; 598,400 deaths
March 11, 2021 - 29,222,420 confirmed infections; 529,884 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
June 10, 2021 – 1,713,000 confirmed infections; 57,320 deaths
March 11, 2021 – 1.522,700 confirmed infections; 50,910 deaths
Countries of Covid Concern
June 10, 2021
India: 29,183,000 confirmed infections; 356,000 deaths
Brazil: 17,123,000 confirmed infections; 480,000 deaths
Peru: Why has Peru been hit so badly?
Posted June 10, 2020: Embers, ashes, and flames
Brazil: 17,123,000 confirmed infections; 480,000 deaths
Peru: Why has Peru been hit so badly?
Posted June 10, 2020: Embers, ashes, and flames
News blues
Delta Variant On The Rise In U.S., Prompting New Warnings To Get COVID-19 Vaccination***
How the ‘Alpha’ Coronavirus Variant Became So Powerful: A new study suggests how the variant first identified in Britain hides from the human immune system. Its stealth may be part of its success.
Eleven days of scooping water from the river to wash dishes, clean the boat, etc. I’ve lagged on exploring the ultimate fix due to cooler temperatures – immersion in colder deep water under the boat - waiting for low tides, general ineptitude about how to plug the hose, and an abundance of scoopable water. Next time I will succeed.
In the shade provided by the houseboat’s bow deck, I unfolded the used/recycled Sea Eagle inflatable I’d purchased two years ago.
Worried that storage may have damaged it, I followed assembly directions provided on YouTube, I semi-inflated it (using a foot pump), installed the rigid flooring, and fully inflated it. After that, I attempted to launch, solo, the bulky, heavy, unwieldy craft over the bow. Eventually, panting, grumpy, with aching muscles, I prevailed. No perceptible damage from long storage, the inflatable shelters in the space provided by pontoons under the houseboat. Egged on by determination and a stubborn attitude - “by god, I can do this” - I accomplished something almost impossible. Another reason for enjoying the houseboat “lifestyle”: surprised by my heretofore unexplored potential. (Maybe I should run for president?)
Despite the uncertainty about my houseboat’s current state of maintenance and evaluating how much to invest in this aging entity, I can’t think of anywhere Id rather be than aboard. Perfection: rocking gently in a boat on a river home to birds, otters, wildlife….
Not that things are, well, ship shape.
My current slip neighbor (before he was slip neighbor could have become a quasi-friend/acquaintance) plays high volume hip hop music… and reggae. Reggae? These days, the beat quickly becomes tedious. It’s contextualized, however, by the non-unpleasant wafts of pot/dagga emanating from his houseboat.
Hip hop? Not for me…to the extent that I may accept the harbor master’s invitation to move my houseboat to the “new dock”. The downside? That dock hosts The Trumpie family and their houseboat flies a Trump 2024 flag.
My Sophie’s choice? Hip hop lyrics or Trumpie conspiracy agit-prop.
More examples of not-ship-shape:
The lack of running water moved from mysterious to solve-able problem. It’s tedious and time consuming to solve although also appeals to my sense of rising to a challenging.
Backstory:
This boat hosts a water storage tank, but like the onboard wiring, it’s disconnected. Electricity and non-potable water are supplied directly from the dock. Usually, water transports via hosepipe onto the boat and through faucets in sinks in galley (kitchen) and head (toilet). After moving in last week, I’ve not had running water, instead drinking only bottled water and hauling buckets of non-potable water over the deck from the river.
Yesterday, Nate, recently met boat expert, advised I inspect the boat’s under-carriage for the root of the lack-of-water problem.
That 3-foot-high space under the boat formed by the shape of the two pontoons is my least favorite part of the boat. Naturally, that’s the location of the rusted metal stopper that had crumbled on a residual section of redundant underwater hose. Dockside hosepipe water flowed straight into river water.
The difficulty: the water under the boat is deep and requires constantly kicking to stay afloat.
Aside from my presence panicking cliff swallows as they nest under the boat, working alone under the boat is creepy. I imagine underwater monsters, or freshwater sharks, or hungry seals grabbing me…. I’d disappear, poof! But… best not to dwell….
Solving the water leakage problem requires swimming, climbing onto/off the boat, switching on/off the dockside faucet…and much kicking, kicking, kicking to stay afloat while attempting to plug the hose.
My onboard toolbox is limited. Luckily, during a recent trip to the hardware store, I’d picked up a metal screw-to-tighten gasket. That, carried in a small bag along with a perfectly proportioned cork from a bottle of wine, and a screwdriver, I kicked, kicked, kicked in the deep water. I inserted the cork into the redundant hosepipe and screwed down the gasket.
First try: water ran through the galley and head sink faucets – then abruptly stopped. Re-entering and kicking, kicking, kicking in deep water under the boat, I discovered the water pressure had blown out the cork from the hosepipe. Luckily corks float.
I hauled out, walked to the dock, turned off the water, then reviewed the toolbox for appropriate hardware. Finding nothing suitable, I cut the cork in half, and, re-immersed to kick, kick, kick under the boat, I inserted the half-cork and prepared to tighten the gasket with the screwdriver. Alas, I dropped the gasket. It’s down there, somewhere in deep water – perhaps entertaining underwater monsters, freshwater sharks, and hungry seals.
The upshot? Still no running water. Deep gouges on my index finger knuckle from the screwdriver banging the cork into the hosepipe. Tired legs from kicking, kicking, kicking…
As we say in ye olde country: tomorrow is another day.
Moreover, I’ve a sore throat and the sniffles. I must find a location offering free Covid tests.
The good news?
Nate found the outboard motor works better than it looks. Hooking up the new battery I’d purchased in August 2019 but never used, the motor started right up and Nate lubricated it with my newly purchased WD 40. He also advised on gasoline and additives required for the 2-stroke motor, and advised on constructing the Sea Eagle inflatable before I spend money on fixing the smaller outboard motor. Most importantly, he suggested the steel pontoons may not require immediate – and expensive – haul-out and maintenance at a boatyard. That’s a savings of around $2,000 /ZAR 27,000.
Most exciting, Nate will spend a couple of hours teaching me and my daughter to pilot the boat. Yay!
Week 62
Quarantine is not so bad. I spend my days floating on a houseboat on a calm river in gorgeous countryside, not engaging with people. (A houseboat-load of unbowed Trump supporters live nearby and fly a “Trump 2024” flag.)
Observations of a single woman in the traditionally male world, particularly in California's Sacramento Delta):
The people who seek and can afford the boating lifestyle tend toward the uber-male persuasion – and are not urban-dwellers (indeed, they’re skeptical of urban-dwellers).
Eighteen months ago, only one other single (older) woman lived on a boat in this marina. (Today, I’m quarantined and, back then, she liked privacy so I’ve not explored whether she still lives here.) The other women seen here back then were coupled with men who piloted the boats, maintained the boats, talked about boats while the "little ladies" supported male activities and cooked, cleaned, and rode shotgun in the male-piloted boat…
I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was someone men chuckled about behind my back: a woman who, clearly, knew nothing about boats (true); clearly, who’d expect favors from the superior male species (false). Moreover, since I’d purchased my elderly houseboat from a gay couple, two women who, likewise, “knew nothing” about boats (also false, they know a lot) … I was probably gay, too.
How to sum up my attitude to this male-heavy environment? Oppressive. Isolating. Constrictive. And, this makes me more determined to learn as much as I can, reach out to the reachable, and enjoy my chosen life on the river….
California and Californians head towards summer:
Memorial Day, May 31, sunrise 5:46am, sunset at 8:23 pm; temperature 104 F/40 C.
June 3: sunrise 5:44am, sunset at 8:25pm; temps heading into the upper 90s.
Memorial Day (1.:25 mins)
Their Party (1:14 mins)
“A new study blames climate change for 37% of global heat deaths.” I wasn’t a casualty yesterday, but…: Scientists say even more people die from other extreme weather amplified by global warming such as storms, flooding and drought.
I arrived at the local Safeway pharmacy Sunday morning to receive the first of two Pfizer vaccinations. My appointment was at 9:30am and I was the only person in line. I filled out documentation, rolled up my sleeve, took the jab, waited for signs of adverse reactions, and, feeling none, departed.
That was it. Second jab June 20.
Documentation handouts included the information that the vaccine is “unapproved”. Odd that millions of humans around the world clamber to introduce an officially “unapproved” substance into our bodies. (Gosh, I miss the days of Donald Trump asserting a dose of “light introduced into the body” killed Covid, “like a miracle”. Ah, the good olde days! Not!
***
‘Sniper attack’: Inside the Western Cape trial of a potentially variant-proof vaccine
An experimental Covid-19 vaccine currently in Phase I trials run by the University of Cape Town has a unique design that might offer better protection against current and future variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. An update on the trial and unpacking the science behind this vaccine candidate.
***
The Lincoln Project: The Line (0:55 mins) Healthy planet, anyone?
The Western Drought Is Bad. Here’s What You Should Know About It >>Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Quarantine. So far, so good. Mandatory stay-at-home means no guilt about not looking for short work contracts, instead working on the houseboat. Yesterday I cleaned and painted the metalwork on the stern. I also tried to pump out water collected near the outboard motor (I’m unfamiliar with the boaty technical terms for boat parts). And I was frustrated yet again in efforts to seal the 18-inch redundant semi-rigid plastic hosepipe that will allow shore water to run through my faucets.Eleven days of scooping water from the river to wash dishes, clean the boat, etc. I’ve lagged on exploring the ultimate fix due to cooler temperatures – immersion in colder deep water under the boat - waiting for low tides, general ineptitude about how to plug the hose, and an abundance of scoopable water. Next time I will succeed.
***
Best boat news? Renewed communication with the two women from whom I purchased the boat results in renewed offer from them to teach me how to pilot the darn thing. They’re moved on to a larger, fancier pontoon houseboat yet have offered to help me get a handle on that aspect. Looking forward.Day 440 Tuesday, June 8 - Launching
News blues
Third wave sweeps across Africa as Covid vaccine imports dry upWHO says continent urgently needs more jabs as eight countries report rise of 30% in cases in a week***
The Lincoln Project, Trump's North Carolina Speech In 70 Seconds (1:02 mins)
Healthy planet, anyone?
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta…is a land of stunning open spaces fed by five major rivers. A maze of creeks and sloughs spreads finger-like through some of California’s most important habitat, especially for Chinook salmon and Greater Sandhill Cranes. It also contains over 500,000 acres of prime farmland devoted to diversified agriculture. The Delta is home to a $5.2 billion agricultural economy and to a fishing, boating, and recreation economy worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The Delta’s cultural diversity and rich historical legacy add vibrancy to regional tourism.But…
Fisheries, agriculture, and people within the region and throughout the state are dependent on the Delta’s fresh water supply. Although other factors affect Delta water quality, water management policies that help to maintain flows of fresh water into and through the Delta are of great environmental and economic importance to all Californians.
“The San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary is on the brink of environmental disaster. The fish, wildlife, drinking water, and the many other uses it provides are all declining due to massive water exports. Currently, the State allows more than half the water needed for the delta’s ecological health to be diverted away for unsustainable Big Agriculture on the west and south San Joaquin Valley.” – Restore the DeltaLearn more about the Delta >>
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Quarantine has its upsides. Combined with jetlag, cultural reentry, and the houseboat “lifestyle”, quarantine is a godsend. Without quarantine, I’d likely be working a short-term office gig to generate income lost over the past two years. Instead, I’ve decided not to pay exorbitant professional fees to haul out and clean the pontoons. They’re in decent-enough shape – for now – so I’ll clean off algae, patch what I can, and regularly maintain them. I’ll also slowly repaint the boat’s exterior. Most of all, though, I’ll realistically evaluate the likelihood I can competently pilot this houseboat. It’s big and unwieldy. I’m small and inexperienced. The nature of the San Joaquin River and the Sacramento Delta are to be respected rather than trivialized by my potentially unrealistic ‘can-do’ attitude.In the shade provided by the houseboat’s bow deck, I unfolded the used/recycled Sea Eagle inflatable I’d purchased two years ago.
***
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| In KwaZulu Natal: Sunrise: 6:49am, sunset 5:07pm; daytime high 64 F, nighttime low 41 F |
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| In California: Sunrise 5:43am, sunset 8:28pm; windy and chilly with daytime high 74 F and nighttime low 51 F. |
Day 436 Friday, June 5 - Faceblock
A reminder that that desperate-for-attention old guy, The Donald, is still desperate.
Ah, all that “Donald stuff” mercifully feels so far away.
These days, blue herons inhabit my life and imagination. Pic taken soon after sunrise.News blues
More crazy, only-in-America bribes for vax. This time, get the vax, win a shotgun….***
More than 225 000 senior citizens have so far received their Covid-19 vaccine shots in KwaZulu-Natal. (This includes my mother. ) Healthy planet, anyone?
The argument for a carbon price? We are paying a price for fossil fuels, but that price is not paid by those that burn the fossil fuels – we need to change that.It is a mistake to believe that we are not paying for emitting greenhouse gases. Even if we do not pay a monetary price for carbon emissions we do pay a very large price, the consequences of climate change.
Without a monetary carbon price it is those who have the smallest emissions that suffer the largest costs from climate change. A carbon price, in contrast, means that those who cause the emissions also pay for them.
A key reason why voters are not in favour of carbon pricing is that many believe it won’t actually reduce emissions, but empirical research and theory show that this is wrong: pricing carbon emissions – either via a carbon tax or a ‘cap and trade’-system – is effective. It shifts production and consumption from carbon-intensive goods and services to low-carbon alternatives and does reduce emissions.
***
Jane Goodall: If We Don’t Make Peace With Nature, Expect More Deadly Pandemics. The famed primatologist spent the quarantine broadcasting to the world about the threat of climate change, zoonotic disease and biodiversity loss. “…this pandemic has emphasized [the need to] develop a new relationship with the natural world and animals. If we don’t somehow get together and create a more sustainable greener economy and forget this nonsense that there can be unlimited economic development on a planet with finite resources, and that the GDP isn’t God’s answer to the future, then it’s going to be a very sad world that we leave to our great-great-grandchildren. Their children may have no planet left.”
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
I sit in my berth and enjoy the sounds – birds chirping as they flit thither and yon – and the gentle rays of sunlight stoking the water, and reeds, and river vegetation, and the blue heron on its lookout, shown above.Despite the uncertainty about my houseboat’s current state of maintenance and evaluating how much to invest in this aging entity, I can’t think of anywhere Id rather be than aboard. Perfection: rocking gently in a boat on a river home to birds, otters, wildlife….
Not that things are, well, ship shape.
My current slip neighbor (before he was slip neighbor could have become a quasi-friend/acquaintance) plays high volume hip hop music… and reggae. Reggae? These days, the beat quickly becomes tedious. It’s contextualized, however, by the non-unpleasant wafts of pot/dagga emanating from his houseboat.
Hip hop? Not for me…to the extent that I may accept the harbor master’s invitation to move my houseboat to the “new dock”. The downside? That dock hosts The Trumpie family and their houseboat flies a Trump 2024 flag.
My Sophie’s choice? Hip hop lyrics or Trumpie conspiracy agit-prop.
More examples of not-ship-shape:
The lack of running water moved from mysterious to solve-able problem. It’s tedious and time consuming to solve although also appeals to my sense of rising to a challenging.
Backstory:
This boat hosts a water storage tank, but like the onboard wiring, it’s disconnected. Electricity and non-potable water are supplied directly from the dock. Usually, water transports via hosepipe onto the boat and through faucets in sinks in galley (kitchen) and head (toilet). After moving in last week, I’ve not had running water, instead drinking only bottled water and hauling buckets of non-potable water over the deck from the river.
Yesterday, Nate, recently met boat expert, advised I inspect the boat’s under-carriage for the root of the lack-of-water problem.
That 3-foot-high space under the boat formed by the shape of the two pontoons is my least favorite part of the boat. Naturally, that’s the location of the rusted metal stopper that had crumbled on a residual section of redundant underwater hose. Dockside hosepipe water flowed straight into river water.
The difficulty: the water under the boat is deep and requires constantly kicking to stay afloat.
Aside from my presence panicking cliff swallows as they nest under the boat, working alone under the boat is creepy. I imagine underwater monsters, or freshwater sharks, or hungry seals grabbing me…. I’d disappear, poof! But… best not to dwell….
Solving the water leakage problem requires swimming, climbing onto/off the boat, switching on/off the dockside faucet…and much kicking, kicking, kicking to stay afloat while attempting to plug the hose.
My onboard toolbox is limited. Luckily, during a recent trip to the hardware store, I’d picked up a metal screw-to-tighten gasket. That, carried in a small bag along with a perfectly proportioned cork from a bottle of wine, and a screwdriver, I kicked, kicked, kicked in the deep water. I inserted the cork into the redundant hosepipe and screwed down the gasket.
First try: water ran through the galley and head sink faucets – then abruptly stopped. Re-entering and kicking, kicking, kicking in deep water under the boat, I discovered the water pressure had blown out the cork from the hosepipe. Luckily corks float.
I hauled out, walked to the dock, turned off the water, then reviewed the toolbox for appropriate hardware. Finding nothing suitable, I cut the cork in half, and, re-immersed to kick, kick, kick under the boat, I inserted the half-cork and prepared to tighten the gasket with the screwdriver. Alas, I dropped the gasket. It’s down there, somewhere in deep water – perhaps entertaining underwater monsters, freshwater sharks, and hungry seals.
The upshot? Still no running water. Deep gouges on my index finger knuckle from the screwdriver banging the cork into the hosepipe. Tired legs from kicking, kicking, kicking…
As we say in ye olde country: tomorrow is another day.
Moreover, I’ve a sore throat and the sniffles. I must find a location offering free Covid tests.
The good news?
Nate found the outboard motor works better than it looks. Hooking up the new battery I’d purchased in August 2019 but never used, the motor started right up and Nate lubricated it with my newly purchased WD 40. He also advised on gasoline and additives required for the 2-stroke motor, and advised on constructing the Sea Eagle inflatable before I spend money on fixing the smaller outboard motor. Most importantly, he suggested the steel pontoons may not require immediate – and expensive – haul-out and maintenance at a boatyard. That’s a savings of around $2,000 /ZAR 27,000.
Most exciting, Nate will spend a couple of hours teaching me and my daughter to pilot the boat. Yay!
Week 62
Day 434 Thursday, June 3 - Bliss - sort of
Quarantine is not so bad. I spend my days floating on a houseboat on a calm river in gorgeous countryside, not engaging with people. (A houseboat-load of unbowed Trump supporters live nearby and fly a “Trump 2024” flag.) This is the life – well, other than, y’know, that darned inconvenient pandemic….
Worldwide (Map)
June 3, 2021 – 171,746,400 confirmed infections; 3,693,300 deaths
Vaccinated worldwide: 2,002,900,000
Worldwide (Map)
June 3, 2021 – 171,746,400 confirmed infections; 3,693,300 deaths
Vaccinated worldwide: 2,002,900,000
February 25, 2021 -128,260,000 confirmed infections; 2,805,000 deaths
February 25, 2020 - 112,534,400 confirmed infections; 2,905,000 deaths
US (Map)
June 3, 2021 – 33,308,000 confirmed infections; 596,000 deaths
February 25, 2021 - 30,394,000 confirmed infections; 551,000 deaths
February 25, 2020 - 28,335,000 confirmed infections; 505,850 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
June 3, 2021 – 1,669,300 confirmed infections; 56,610 deaths
February 25, 2021 - 1,547,000 confirmed infections; 52,790 deaths
February 25, 2020 - 1,507,450 confirmed infections; 49,525 deaths
Ah, Americans, adept at giving away democracy and one’s fellow humans’ well-being for trinkets.
India's government is promising to vaccinate the whole of the adult population by the end of 2021, although its biggest vaccine maker has been struggling to meet demand ... Problems, problems, problems plague the vaccination program as a second wave of Covid-19 overwhelms the healthcare system. Hospitals struggle to cope and critical drugs and oxygen are in short supply. Moreover,
The official death toll is now more than 180,000, up from 69,342, in a country of about 33 million people.
South Africa: The hidden threat to food, water and wild places
California has its share of aliens and invasives, too …
February 25, 2020 - 112,534,400 confirmed infections; 2,905,000 deaths
US (Map)
June 3, 2021 – 33,308,000 confirmed infections; 596,000 deaths
February 25, 2021 - 30,394,000 confirmed infections; 551,000 deaths
February 25, 2020 - 28,335,000 confirmed infections; 505,850 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
June 3, 2021 – 1,669,300 confirmed infections; 56,610 deaths
February 25, 2021 - 1,547,000 confirmed infections; 52,790 deaths
February 25, 2020 - 1,507,450 confirmed infections; 49,525 deaths
News blues
The made-for-America culturally appropriate bribe-for-vax effort continues. West Virginia gives “away guns, trucks, cash as COVID-19 vaccine lottery prizes; hunting licenses and scholarships will also be among the vaccine incentives offered in the state.”Ah, Americans, adept at giving away democracy and one’s fellow humans’ well-being for trinkets.
***
India and Indians have a lot on their plate right now. India's government is promising to vaccinate the whole of the adult population by the end of 2021, although its biggest vaccine maker has been struggling to meet demand ... Problems, problems, problems plague the vaccination program as a second wave of Covid-19 overwhelms the healthcare system. Hospitals struggle to cope and critical drugs and oxygen are in short supply. Moreover,
Cyclone Tauktae has flooded hundreds of villages and cities on India's western coast.Peru and Peruvians have it bad, too, as the rate of Covid deaths more than double… making it the country with the world's highest death rate per capita….
Strong winds and torrential rainfall destroyed homes and uprooted trees and electricity poles. At least 12 people have died.
Meanwhile, 90 people are missing after a barge sunk off the coast of Mumbai city in the wake of the cyclone. The Indian navy has rescued 177 people so far.
The storm weakened after making landfall late on Monday but authorities have advised caution as strong winds are still sweeping coastal areas in Gujarat state.
The official death toll is now more than 180,000, up from 69,342, in a country of about 33 million people.
Healthy planet, anyone?
Unwelcome guests and alien invaders:South Africa: The hidden threat to food, water and wild places
California has its share of aliens and invasives, too …
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
After owning my houseboat for two years – and due to lockdown, etc., inhabiting it only for six months - I know I must have the pontoons cleaned and maintained. But the cost of professional maintenance – piloting the boat to the boatyard for haul out and labor - is beyond my pocketbook.I must delve into the arena of creative maintenance. Until necessity drove me, I avoided swimming under the boat between pontoons (the space between water surface and boat is about 3 feet). It’s creepy. (I’m too much of a South African to not feel queasy in tight, watery spaces with long strands of freshwater weed brushing against my legs… reminds me of shark-fear while swimming off Durban beaches.) Yesterday I screwed up my courage and explored the pontoons and found, to my pleasure, that they’re not as algae infested as I’d expected. Alas, there are small rust patches on areas of the iron/steel/non-aluminum frames that hold the aluminum pontoons. There’s rust on the iron/steel/non-aluminum foundational structure of the boat, too. The latter will be time consuming and expensive to correct – scrape, seal, repaint – but it is something I can do. Scraping and cleaning the pontoons? Hmmm, not something I can do without guidance, direction, help – and funds for haul out.
The elderly 85 HP Evinrude outboard motor that ran well when I departed 18 months ago has not been started or run since then. I must find “someone” who can prep, lubricate it, check the engine before I can try restarting. But who?
For now, I must forgo my interior decorating ideas – installing a shower, revamping the impractical kitchen counter and sink, scraping and repainting the decks and overall structure….
Ah, the inescapable downside of owning an elderly boat.
The elderly 85 HP Evinrude outboard motor that ran well when I departed 18 months ago has not been started or run since then. I must find “someone” who can prep, lubricate it, check the engine before I can try restarting. But who?
For now, I must forgo my interior decorating ideas – installing a shower, revamping the impractical kitchen counter and sink, scraping and repainting the decks and overall structure….
Ah, the inescapable downside of owning an elderly boat.
Observations of a single woman in the traditionally male world, particularly in California's Sacramento Delta):
The people who seek and can afford the boating lifestyle tend toward the uber-male persuasion – and are not urban-dwellers (indeed, they’re skeptical of urban-dwellers).
Eighteen months ago, only one other single (older) woman lived on a boat in this marina. (Today, I’m quarantined and, back then, she liked privacy so I’ve not explored whether she still lives here.) The other women seen here back then were coupled with men who piloted the boats, maintained the boats, talked about boats while the "little ladies" supported male activities and cooked, cleaned, and rode shotgun in the male-piloted boat…
I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was someone men chuckled about behind my back: a woman who, clearly, knew nothing about boats (true); clearly, who’d expect favors from the superior male species (false). Moreover, since I’d purchased my elderly houseboat from a gay couple, two women who, likewise, “knew nothing” about boats (also false, they know a lot) … I was probably gay, too.
How to sum up my attitude to this male-heavy environment? Oppressive. Isolating. Constrictive. And, this makes me more determined to learn as much as I can, reach out to the reachable, and enjoy my chosen life on the river….
***
Temperatures dropped precipitously in KZN. Snow at higher elevations. Frost, too. Cold. Cold. Cold. Thank the gods I escaped in time. I worry about my son-in-law becoming dispirited. So far, he’s coping. California and Californians head towards summer:
Memorial Day, May 31, sunrise 5:46am, sunset at 8:23 pm; temperature 104 F/40 C.
June 3: sunrise 5:44am, sunset at 8:25pm; temps heading into the upper 90s.
Day 432 Tuesday, June 1 - Jabbed
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| Sunrise - looking east |
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| Sunrise - looking west |
News blues
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Sunday that his country will return to stricter lockdown measures in the face of a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases that indicate the virus is “surging again” in Africa’s worst-affected nation.Watch/listen to President Ramaphosa’s recent address on the upcoming third wave (28:13 mins)
Positive cases in South Africa in the past seven days were 31% higher than the week before, and 66% higher than the week before that, Ramaphosa said in a live TV address. He said some parts of the country, including the commercial hub Johannesburg and the capital city Pretoria, were now in “a third wave.”
“We do not yet know how severe this wave will be or for how long it will last,” Ramaphosa said.
***
The Lincoln Project: Memorial Day (1.:25 mins)
Their Party (1:14 mins)
Healthy planet, anyone?
Yesterday, Memorial Day, after spending a day in a small houseboat fully exposed to 104 F/40 C weather, I doubted my ability to survive heatwaves in the future. Turns out, these days, more people are suffering and dying from heat-stroke.“A new study blames climate change for 37% of global heat deaths.” I wasn’t a casualty yesterday, but…: Scientists say even more people die from other extreme weather amplified by global warming such as storms, flooding and drought.
More than one-third of the world’s heat deaths each year are due directly to global warming, according to the latest study to calculate the human cost of climate change.Gulp!
But scientists say that’s only a sliver of climate’s overall toll — even more people die from other extreme weather amplified by global warming such as storms, flooding and drought — and the heat death numbers will grow exponentially with rising temperatures.
Dozens of researchers who looked at heat deaths in 732 cities around the globe from 1991 to 2018 calculated that 37% were caused by higher temperatures from human-caused warming, according to a study Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change .
That amounts to about 9,700 people a year from just those cities, but it is much more worldwide….
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Home! Gained a day! Vaccinated! Quarantining on my houseboat.I arrived at the local Safeway pharmacy Sunday morning to receive the first of two Pfizer vaccinations. My appointment was at 9:30am and I was the only person in line. I filled out documentation, rolled up my sleeve, took the jab, waited for signs of adverse reactions, and, feeling none, departed.
That was it. Second jab June 20.
Documentation handouts included the information that the vaccine is “unapproved”. Odd that millions of humans around the world clamber to introduce an officially “unapproved” substance into our bodies. (Gosh, I miss the days of Donald Trump asserting a dose of “light introduced into the body” killed Covid, “like a miracle”. Ah, the good olde days! Not!
***
While nervous about driving on the “other” side of the road again, I collected my vehicle from a friend’s house. Then, within the first 50 feet behind the wheel, I did was not look both ways… and 4 cyclists coming from the left almost slammed into me! One of them yelled, “You f***ing idiot.” I concur. I made a f***ing idiot move, erroneously over-estimating my ability quickly to adjust to a series of long and arduous flights, re-gaining a day, and hopping into a vehicle without adequate preparation. The good news? I was superably careful on the road after that.
And small. A tight space after my mother’s large house.
And no running water. “Management” had, during my absence and without informing me, moved the boat from a covered slip into an uncovered slip. The shore/slip-based hosepipe, transporter of water into the boat, wasn’t connected. No splitter hardware – until I purchased one from a local hardware store. Luckily, after I suffered a 3-day long bout of vomiting, etc., after drinking hosepipe water contaminated, I learning later, with agricultural and other waste, I’d stocked up on dozens of bottles of drinking water. (A moral conundrum: I “disapprove” of purchasing plastic water bottles, but I approved of drinking water and not vomiting so I’ve a “boatload” of plastic water bottles.)
Still have a long way to go for onboard livability but the spiders have been put on notice: vacate the premises. For now, I’m winning the battle of the boat reclamation – under extreme conditions.
I departed South Africa in early winter and emerged into California’s early summer, Memorial Day, May 31, sunrise 5:46am, sunset at 8:23 pm – and temperature 104 F/40 C.
The cliff swallows, incoming migrants from South America, start their twittering at about 4:30 am. Wonderful sounds of birds, insects, fish on water’s surface as Life beyond Human “does its thing.” A precious gift that I cherish.
The San Joaquin River refreshes, too.
And, the site of my jab – upper left arm – went through the usual: some tenderness and swelling – now gone.
Quarantining for 20 days has its benefits: a clean houseboat; swimming again, several times per day; blue herons and night herons, turtles, home rocking gently with the gentle tides….
It’s good to be here.
Week 61
New week. New life!
***
Alas. My houseboat: covered in spiders and spider webs, dust and debris, cliff swallows’ nests, algae, and the inside jammed with a deflated recycled Sea Eagle inflatable I’d purchased before departing a year and a half ago. Frankly, it was an eyesore. And small. A tight space after my mother’s large house.
And no running water. “Management” had, during my absence and without informing me, moved the boat from a covered slip into an uncovered slip. The shore/slip-based hosepipe, transporter of water into the boat, wasn’t connected. No splitter hardware – until I purchased one from a local hardware store. Luckily, after I suffered a 3-day long bout of vomiting, etc., after drinking hosepipe water contaminated, I learning later, with agricultural and other waste, I’d stocked up on dozens of bottles of drinking water. (A moral conundrum: I “disapprove” of purchasing plastic water bottles, but I approved of drinking water and not vomiting so I’ve a “boatload” of plastic water bottles.)
Still have a long way to go for onboard livability but the spiders have been put on notice: vacate the premises. For now, I’m winning the battle of the boat reclamation – under extreme conditions.
I departed South Africa in early winter and emerged into California’s early summer, Memorial Day, May 31, sunrise 5:46am, sunset at 8:23 pm – and temperature 104 F/40 C.
The cliff swallows, incoming migrants from South America, start their twittering at about 4:30 am. Wonderful sounds of birds, insects, fish on water’s surface as Life beyond Human “does its thing.” A precious gift that I cherish.
The San Joaquin River refreshes, too.
And, the site of my jab – upper left arm – went through the usual: some tenderness and swelling – now gone.
Quarantining for 20 days has its benefits: a clean houseboat; swimming again, several times per day; blue herons and night herons, turtles, home rocking gently with the gentle tides….
It’s good to be here.
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| Blue heron (tall, left) and night heron. |
Week 61
Day 428 Friday, May 28 - Going Mobile
New week. New life! The Who says it for me – Going mobile
…where, ironically, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state will offer $116 million in prize money for coronavirus vaccinations. Maybe I’ll get lucky!
News blues
I’m off! Johannesburg, Paris, San Francisco houseboat in Californy!…where, ironically, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state will offer $116 million in prize money for coronavirus vaccinations. Maybe I’ll get lucky!
The state’s reopening is pegged for June 15, and on that day a drawing will be held to award 10 vaccinated people the top prize.So, we live in a world, now, where, if you can’t trust people to “do the right thing” – vaccinate against a pandemic – you pay ‘em.
Another 30 people will win $50,000 each, with those drawings starting June 4. Anyone 12 and older who has received at least one shot will be eligible. And the next 2 million people who get vaccinated will get $50 gift cards.
Ohio this week announced the first $1 million winner of its “Vax-a-Million” contest, as well as the first child to win a full college scholarship. Colorado and Oregon also offered $1 million prizes.
New York is raffling 50 full scholarships to children 12 to 17 to public universities and colleges in the state, selecting 10 winners each of the next five Wednesdays.
Capitalism wins!
Meanwhile… tracking Covid-19:
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
March 29: sunrise 6:07am; sunset 5:58pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 28: sunrise 6:44am; sunset 5:08pm.
May 27, 168,418,000 confirmed infections; 3,499,000 deaths
April 22, 2021 – 143,503,705 confirmed infections; 3,056,000 deaths
Tracker for worldwide vaccination rate >>
- Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide
- South African experts to follow for up-to-date and accurate Covid information…
***
The Lincoln Project: You look (0:45 mins) Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Getting darker here…Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
March 29: sunrise 6:07am; sunset 5:58pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 28: sunrise 6:44am; sunset 5:08pm.
Day 427 Thursday, May 27 - Privilege
Worldwide (Map)May 27, 168,418,000 confirmed infections; 3,499,000 deaths
April 22, 2021 – 143,503,705 confirmed infections; 3,056,000 deaths
Tracker for worldwide vaccination rate >>
US (Map)
May 27, 33,190,300 confirmed infections; 592,000,000 deaths
April 22, 2021 – 31,862,100 confirmed infections; 569,500 deaths
SA (Tracker)
May 27, x1,645,600 confirmed infections; 56,100 deaths
April 22, 2021 – 1,568,500 confirmed infections; 53,900 deaths
Down memory lane with a post from one year ago - April 23, 2020: “Try it; what have you got to lose?”
She looked him over, then asked about the tattoos on his knuckles: the words “give” and “take.” He explained it was his way of ensuring he’d never be hired for a “mainstream job”. Then he added, “Well, these days, tattoos are mainstream so I’m not sure that reason is valid anymore.” My mother was fascinated. Right in front of her, talking to her, visiting her in the future, was a person with tattoos! Imagine!
She proceeded to explain that tattoos are alright on men, crinkled her nose in disapproval, and added, “but not on women.” Clearly, women should never be tattooed. We nodded to her implied assessment: not ladylike!
These are tough thoughts for a control freak.
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
March 29: sunrise 6:07am; sunset 5:58pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 27: sunrise 6:43am; sunset 5:09pm.
May 27, 33,190,300 confirmed infections; 592,000,000 deaths
April 22, 2021 – 31,862,100 confirmed infections; 569,500 deaths
SA (Tracker)
May 27, x1,645,600 confirmed infections; 56,100 deaths
April 22, 2021 – 1,568,500 confirmed infections; 53,900 deaths
Down memory lane with a post from one year ago - April 23, 2020: “Try it; what have you got to lose?”
***
Tracking Covid-19:- Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide
- South African experts to follow for up-to-date and accurate Covid information…
News blues
Half of U.S. adults now fully vaccinated against COVID-19…and more than 60% have received at least one dose, the CDC reported.***
Experts suggest limiting gatherings as SA's Covid-19 positivity rate breaches 10%. It was the first time since mid-November that the positivity rate breached 10% on an upward trajectory ***
Locally, the vaccination programs continue. Lines are long – up to 4 hours in some areas. I’m amazed at how many South Africans display diehard skepticism about taking the vaccination. On the other hand, South Africans experience “the government” as being particularly inept if not downright dangerous. I’m happy that I’m privileged enough to avoid having to make the decision here and have the option to be vaccinated in California.
***
The Lincoln Project: Conspiracy (0:55 mins)
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Broke the news of my pending departure to my mother… and introduced her to my son-in-law. I explained he’d visit her while I’m gone and take care of the dogs and the house.She looked him over, then asked about the tattoos on his knuckles: the words “give” and “take.” He explained it was his way of ensuring he’d never be hired for a “mainstream job”. Then he added, “Well, these days, tattoos are mainstream so I’m not sure that reason is valid anymore.” My mother was fascinated. Right in front of her, talking to her, visiting her in the future, was a person with tattoos! Imagine!
She proceeded to explain that tattoos are alright on men, crinkled her nose in disapproval, and added, “but not on women.” Clearly, women should never be tattooed. We nodded to her implied assessment: not ladylike!
***
I’m a pre-travel bundle of nerves. I’m certain that something will go wrong to ensure my travel plans, er, crash and burn, that I’ll be forced to remain in SA, that taking care of my own life and responsibilities in the States can’t succeed, that my houseboat will sink before I can stop it…. These are tough thoughts for a control freak.
***
Had my pre-flight Covid test: elongated super Q-tip tickled my throat and each nostril. Voila. Done. Results by tomorrow. Then, whoosh! Off to Californy!
***
Only two more days of early darkness – then, whoosh, back to California – and spring on the river! Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
March 29: sunrise 6:07am; sunset 5:58pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 27: sunrise 6:43am; sunset 5:09pm.
Day 425 Tuesday, May 25 - Getting there
News blues
In today’s hyper-capitalist US, if common sense, backed up by stringent science, doesn’t work to convince people to get vaccinated against a too-often fatal malady, then pay ‘em to get vaccinated!Health officials in Ohio have reported a surge in the amount of people getting their first COVID-19 vaccination shots, a week after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the $5 million "Vax-a-Million" lottery.On the other hand, if it works why knock it?
Just days after DeWine said the state would award five vaccinated residents $1 million each in order to raise vaccination percentages, the Ohio Department of Health reported more than 113,000 people received their first dose of the vaccine.
Based on preliminary data, the department said the recent period showed a 53% week-to-week increase (May 13 to 18) compared to the time period before the announcement, where 74,000 people received their first dose (May 6 to 11).
***
Tracking Covid-19:- Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide
- South African experts to follow for up-to-date and accurate Covid information…
***
The Lincoln Project:Last Week in the Republican Party (0:49 mins)
Their Party (0:35 mins)
I drove to the local airport to pick him up. Since I’d not driven alone before to this airport, I used Google maps to guide me…and still I got lost! It’s a left/right dyslexia thing. And, after warning him about not driving along unknown roads on a whim, I drove both of us along an unknown road – for miles. After we consulted Google maps, I righted the car and we arrived home only 2 hours late.
Today we begin his speedy acculturation into life in KZN and how to find his way around after I’ve departed.
That is, if I actually depart. I’m still having trouble with my tickets. This time, the airline claims I did not pay so they can’t issue a ticket. I did pay, last Friday, at about 10:00am (long before their noon deadline). This is the third time I paid for this return flight.
Anyway, after introducing mu son-in-law to Martha (domestic worker) I’m looking forward to introducing him to the local monkey troop, the stream and pond, the dogs, my mother, and whomever I can make his transition easier. He’s excited. I’m grateful.
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
March 29: sunrise 6:07am; sunset 5:58pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 26: sunrise 6:4xam; sunset 5:1xpm.
Visit The Franklin Project website >>
Overall though, even as I ensure the doors are locked against monkeys entering the house and causing havoc, I appreciate their presence. It is, after all, their land – and continent – as much as humans’.
Vervets range throughout much of Southern and East Africa - from Ethiopia, Somalia and extreme southern South Sudan, to South Africa.
Turns out, the US state of Florida, too.
For about 70 years, a colony of about 40 vervets has lived along Dania Beach in urban south Florida. Until recently, no one was quite sure where they came from.
Their Party (0:35 mins)
Healthy planet, anyone?
A feel-good story from Australia as water returns rivers: After the deluge: Australia’s outback springs to life as mighty rivers flow again***
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
After weeks of questioning whether it’s a good idea to ask my son-in-law to caretake my mother’s house and all that that entails while I’m gone, he arrived last night. (He’s never traveled here before. Winter here won’t bother him: he’s from Alaska.)I drove to the local airport to pick him up. Since I’d not driven alone before to this airport, I used Google maps to guide me…and still I got lost! It’s a left/right dyslexia thing. And, after warning him about not driving along unknown roads on a whim, I drove both of us along an unknown road – for miles. After we consulted Google maps, I righted the car and we arrived home only 2 hours late.
Today we begin his speedy acculturation into life in KZN and how to find his way around after I’ve departed.
That is, if I actually depart. I’m still having trouble with my tickets. This time, the airline claims I did not pay so they can’t issue a ticket. I did pay, last Friday, at about 10:00am (long before their noon deadline). This is the third time I paid for this return flight.
Anyway, after introducing mu son-in-law to Martha (domestic worker) I’m looking forward to introducing him to the local monkey troop, the stream and pond, the dogs, my mother, and whomever I can make his transition easier. He’s excited. I’m grateful.
***
Only four more days of early darkness – then, whoosh, I’ll head back to California – and spring on the river! Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
March 29: sunrise 6:07am; sunset 5:58pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 26: sunrise 6:4xam; sunset 5:1xpm.
Day 423 Sunday, May 23 - Prelude to flight
News blues
As cases, hospitalizations and deaths steadily dropped this week, pre-pandemic life in America has largely resumed.New coronavirus cases across the United States have tumbled to rates not seen in more than 11 months, sparking optimism that vaccination campaigns are stemming both severe COVID-19 cases and the spread of the virus….
As the seven-day average for new cases dropped below 30,000 per day this week, Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out cases have not been this low since June 18, 2020. The average number of deaths over the last seven days also dropped to 552 — a rate not seen since July last year. It’s a dramatic drop since the pandemic hit a devastating crescendo in January.
***
Tracking Covid-19:- Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide
- South African experts to follow for up-to-date and accurate Covid information…
Healthy planet, anyone?
Biden’s Climate Chops Face A Big Test On Old-Growth Forests. Which is it going to be, Joe?The Biden administration is pushing an aggressive environmental agenda, pledging to both slash greenhouse gas emissions at least in half and to conserve 30% of America’s lands and waters by 2030. Those commitments include broad language about the need to “invest in forest protection and forest management” and to “fight climate change with the natural solutions that our forests, agricultural lands, and the ocean provide.”
But President Joe Biden and his team have said little, if anything, about old-growth forests — typically defined as those at least 150 years old and largely undisturbed by human activity. These forests sequester massive amounts of carbon in trees and soil, and scientists say protecting the few that remain intact will prove key to meeting climate and biodiversity targets. That includes the 2,000 acres its own Forest Service is primed to move forward on after issuing its final record of decision in January.
Retired forestry professors Jerry Franklin of the University of Washington and Norm Johnson of Oregon State University helped write the forestry plan that made this area available for potential harvest. Adopted in 1994, the plan sought to curb the decline of northern spotted owls due to clearcutting of old-growth forests while continuing to allow for commercial timber production.
More than two decades later, Franklin and Johnson are speaking out against this and other plans to cut down mature forests, citing the climate and extinction crises. Our scientific understanding of such ecosystems, including their ability to store huge amounts of planet-warming carbon pollution, has improved immensely since then, the two wrote in a recent opinion article.
***
The Franklin Project: Join the movement (0.33 mins) Visit The Franklin Project website >>
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Vervet monkeys. They’re considered anything from admirable to a pestilence in KNZ. The troop that co-occupies the landscape around here is both admirable and a pestilence, depending on what they get up to on any one day.Overall though, even as I ensure the doors are locked against monkeys entering the house and causing havoc, I appreciate their presence. It is, after all, their land – and continent – as much as humans’.
Vervets range throughout much of Southern and East Africa - from Ethiopia, Somalia and extreme southern South Sudan, to South Africa.
Turns out, the US state of Florida, too.
For about 70 years, a colony of about 40 vervets has lived along Dania Beach in urban south Florida. Until recently, no one was quite sure where they came from.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) say they have traced the colony’s origins to the Dania Chimpanzee Farm. The South Florida SunSentinel reported recently that there’d been a monkey escape from the farm in 1948. Most, but not all, the monkeys were recaptured. The rest disappeared into a mangrove swamp, where their descendants live today.Go, monkeys, go! >>
The FAU researchers traced the monkeys’ genetics and concluded they were brought to Florida from Africa. The monkeys were sold mainly for medical and military research.
***
Big week coming up. Lots to do leading up to driving to small, local airport to take a 45-minute domestic flight to Oliver Tambo then to Paris then to San Francisco. After 1.5 unplanned, unexpected years here and a pandemic, this time next week - I “should” be back in California. And eagerly accepting the first of two Pfizer vaccinations the day after I arrive!
What a concept!
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 23: sunrise 6:41am; sunset 5:10pm.
Week 61
After weeks of struggling to confirm flight details – then paying for my tickets – my fly-by-night agency cancelled the flights, communicated nothing useful to me about it, and now cannot be reached by phone or email!
This time, the agency’s usual warning message - “due to high volume of calls … call back later” – did not cut me off. Desperation kept me on the phone listening to repeated loops of nausea-inducing elevator “musak”. More than 21:42 minutes later the call abruptly ended. Costing me more than R75.00 in airtime, I had no resolution, no idea what was up with my flight, and no way of learning what I needed to know.
I circumvented the agency and emailed the airline directly. I learned the entire journey was cancelled – and no word about rescheduling.
Just like that, my delight at returning to California after more than 1.5 years of lockdown, evaporated. All my preparation – pre-flight Covid test, domestic flight connection to Oliver Tambo Airport, appointment for my post-flight vaxx – all come to naught.
Unless….
I gave up on the agency (FlyUs.com – avoid them, well, like you’ve learned to avoid Covid). I struck out on my own.
I now have a flight, different airline, same day, almost same time, via Paris to San Francisco. It costs me an arm and a leg and I must purchase a seat for more than ZAR500, but I am heading home.
***
I'm escaping not a moment too soon. Nights are getting colder with longer hours of darkness here…Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 23: sunrise 6:41am; sunset 5:10pm.
Week 61
Day 421 Friday, May 21 - Arghhhhh…
 |
This time, the agency’s usual warning message - “due to high volume of calls … call back later” – did not cut me off. Desperation kept me on the phone listening to repeated loops of nausea-inducing elevator “musak”. More than 21:42 minutes later the call abruptly ended. Costing me more than R75.00 in airtime, I had no resolution, no idea what was up with my flight, and no way of learning what I needed to know.
I circumvented the agency and emailed the airline directly. I learned the entire journey was cancelled – and no word about rescheduling.
Just like that, my delight at returning to California after more than 1.5 years of lockdown, evaporated. All my preparation – pre-flight Covid test, domestic flight connection to Oliver Tambo Airport, appointment for my post-flight vaxx – all come to naught.
Unless….
I gave up on the agency (FlyUs.com – avoid them, well, like you’ve learned to avoid Covid). I struck out on my own.
I now have a flight, different airline, same day, almost same time, via Paris to San Francisco. It costs me an arm and a leg and I must purchase a seat for more than ZAR500, but I am heading home.
***
It’s my day for “can you believe it” stories. As I finalized a funeral policy for my 88-year-old mother, I learned that the provincial crematorium "went up in smoke."Actually, it went up in smoke twice!
Provincial decision-makers decided not to rebuild after the second event. Luckily for my mother, when the time comes she’ll be hosted by the privately-owned crematorium that has been built less than one mile from where she spent six decades of her adult life. Turns out, you can go home again...
The long block of ice is roughly 1,668 square miles in size, spanning 89 nautical miles on its longest axis and 14 nautical miles on its widest axis. New York City’s land area is about 303 square miles.
What does this mean? Read the article >>
***
VoteVets: Hate Crime Hawley (0:50 mins) Healthy planet, anyone?
The world’s largest iceberg – nearly six times the size of New York City - just broke offThe long block of ice is roughly 1,668 square miles in size, spanning 89 nautical miles on its longest axis and 14 nautical miles on its widest axis. New York City’s land area is about 303 square miles.
What does this mean? Read the article >>
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
 |
| Potholes are nothing new around here. Erosion has sculpted this pothole into a unique, and very fitting, shape. It's a dick-pic - about 15 feet long (5 meters). |
Continues to get darker here...
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 21: sunrise 6:40am; sunset 5:11pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 21: sunrise 6:40am; sunset 5:11pm.
But, just think, this time next week I'll be on my way to California summer!
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