Author Archives: JohnMatel

Succession

Posted on August 8, 2019 by JohnMatel

Grassy wetlands To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. The more you observe in nature, the more sense that old wisdom seems. Last time on the farms I found the value of the … Continue reading →

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Were your parents strict, or relaxed?

Posted on August 5, 2019 by JohnMatel

My Story Worth for this week. My parents were very relaxed. They never spanked me, and I don’t recall them even raising their voices to discipline me. Of course, I was probably just a good kid. But my parents’ reactions … Continue reading →

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Afternoon at Tysons Mall

Posted on August 4, 2019 by JohnMatel

Chrissy & I spent the whole afternoon at Tysons Mall. Went to see “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” I recommend it. More on that below. If you don’t want to know the ending, don’t read to the end. We … Continue reading →

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Has an unexpected health problem changed your life?

Posted on July 31, 2019 by JohnMatel

My Story Worth for this week. Has an unexpected health problem changed your life? Twice this happened. I turned out very positive when I broke my leg when I was 11 years old, as I have written before. No good … Continue reading →

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Some pictures on various themes.

Posted on July 30, 2019 by JohnMatel

Some pictures on various themes. Chrissy and me at Uno Chrissy and me at Uno Pizza. I like the place better than she does, but indulged me there. Too much beer Next is me with Willy Morgan. I took the … Continue reading →

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Forest work July 2019

Posted on July 28, 2019 by JohnMatel

Devil’s walking stick I never much liked the devil’s walking stick (Aralia spinosa) because of the thorns that can rip your clothes and grab your skin. It hurts. I suppose that is how it got the name. They are common … Continue reading →

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Fire in oak forests – day 3

Posted on July 25, 2019 by JohnMatel

I wonder if I have less to write each day of the conference because I am finding less or maybe just getting tired. Did I get tired, or did I just get lazy? Understory dynamics Todd Hutchinson talked about understory … Continue reading →

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Fire in oak forests – field trip – day 2

Posted on July 24, 2019 by JohnMatel

Fire in oak forests – field trip – day 2 The ecology of any place is contingent on its history and the oak pitch-pine barrens near State College, PA has an interesting ecological history. And every ecological history includes its … Continue reading →

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Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference – Day 1

Posted on July 23, 2019 by JohnMatel

Blame Bambi Lots of it is Bambi’s fault. The cute talking animals – a deer, a rabbit and a skunk – were agents of propaganda deployed against hunting and even humans in nature at all. But as John Stowe, one … Continue reading →

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This View of Life – emergence

Posted on July 22, 2019 by JohnMatel

audible.com This View of Life Check out this great listen on Audible.com. It is widely understood that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution completely revolutionized the study of biology. Yet, according to David Sloan Wilson, the Darwinian revolution won’t be truly … Continue reading →

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