Reading
The Man Who Plants Trees - Jim Robbins
Tree huggers unite! The Man Who Plants Trees by Jim Robbins reaffirms the notion that trees not only provide shelter and oxygen for a rapidly over-heating world but sanctuary and solace for mankind. Both inspiring and distressing, Robbins’ book documents the work of the eccentric yet noble “bear of a man” David Milarch and his Champion Tree Project to save the world’s dying forests by cloning the biggest and oldest ‘champion’ trees; creating a genetic archive for reforestation. The world-wide phenomenon of forest die-back is a harbinger of climate change and although tree ‘cloning’ has received some criticism from biologists the project’s aim cannot be disputed. A planet without trees is a doomed planet. Robbins is a respected science writer, contributing to the New York Times among other publications and experienced first-hand the wide-spread destruction of trees on his Montana property, decimated by the voracious mountain pine bark beetle, thriving in global warming conditions. And while there are elements of science fiction in the work - Milarch’s near-death epiphany complete with psychic visitations - the message of conservation rings true. Like Dr Seuss’ Lorax, Jim Robbins speaks for the trees.
Review first published Slow magazine
The Man Who Plants Trees - Jim Robbins
Tree huggers unite! The Man Who Plants Trees by Jim Robbins reaffirms the notion that trees not only provide shelter and oxygen for a rapidly over-heating world but sanctuary and solace for mankind. Both inspiring and distressing, Robbins’ book documents the work of the eccentric yet noble “bear of a man” David Milarch and his Champion Tree Project to save the world’s dying forests by cloning the biggest and oldest ‘champion’ trees; creating a genetic archive for reforestation. The world-wide phenomenon of forest die-back is a harbinger of climate change and although tree ‘cloning’ has received some criticism from biologists the project’s aim cannot be disputed. A planet without trees is a doomed planet. Robbins is a respected science writer, contributing to the New York Times among other publications and experienced first-hand the wide-spread destruction of trees on his Montana property, decimated by the voracious mountain pine bark beetle, thriving in global warming conditions. And while there are elements of science fiction in the work - Milarch’s near-death epiphany complete with psychic visitations - the message of conservation rings true. Like Dr Seuss’ Lorax, Jim Robbins speaks for the trees.Review first published Slow magazine
Whole Larder Love – Rohan Anderson
You can’t help but hum the metal anthem Rohan Anderson punningly misappropriates for the title of his successful blog and book Whole Larder Love. It sets the tone for some decidedly blokey advice on growing, gathering, hunting and cooking; making this more a manual for the robust - see sections on how to kill a chook and skin a rabbit - than campfire cookbook. Anderson certainly looks the part. But while there’s not a pastel v-neck in sight this Ballarat backwoodsman is no poster-boy for the gun lobby either. Rather, Anderson’s sensitive narrative, environmental concerns and the endearing snaps of his cuter-than-buttons daughters ensure this self-sufficiency tome straddles the boundaries of new age and traditional. It becomes clear that it is more about the journey for Anderson. In an age where climate change and economic instability threaten our food security we could learn a whole lotta stuff from this modern-day hunter-gatherer.
You can’t help but hum the metal anthem Rohan Anderson punningly misappropriates for the title of his successful blog and book Whole Larder Love. It sets the tone for some decidedly blokey advice on growing, gathering, hunting and cooking; making this more a manual for the robust - see sections on how to kill a chook and skin a rabbit - than campfire cookbook. Anderson certainly looks the part. But while there’s not a pastel v-neck in sight this Ballarat backwoodsman is no poster-boy for the gun lobby either. Rather, Anderson’s sensitive narrative, environmental concerns and the endearing snaps of his cuter-than-buttons daughters ensure this self-sufficiency tome straddles the boundaries of new age and traditional. It becomes clear that it is more about the journey for Anderson. In an age where climate change and economic instability threaten our food security we could learn a whole lotta stuff from this modern-day hunter-gatherer.
Review first published ABC Organic Gardener
Listening
Courtney Barnett
Got this girl's songs on high rotation in my head at the moment. Love her style, voice and videos big time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcnIhzaDTd0
The Clash
A funky, fresh offering from Blue Mountains bred hip-hop artist Tim Levinson that for me recalls Michael Franti and Arrested Development on some levels. Turn it up loud in the car and freak out the kids!
Courtney Barnett
Got this girl's songs on high rotation in my head at the moment. Love her style, voice and videos big time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcnIhzaDTd0
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| Image from www.nerdist.com/ |
The Clash
Is there anything more gratifying than having your kids
appreciate your taste in music? Lately I’ve become quite nostalgic in my
listening patterns – rediscovering my record collection including my all time
favourite band, The Clash.
The renaissance started back in 2010 when I heard ex-Clash
members Paul Simonon and Mick Jones were touring with Gorillaz. I really like Damon Albarn and Gorillaz but I love Paul and Mick so naturally I had to go see
them for the first time in the flesh. (I wasn’t allowed to see The Clash back
in 1982. Thanks a lot Mum.) So I’ve been renewing my passion for Joe Strummer’s
strep throat rasp, Mick’s garage-band harmonies, Paul’s killer bass lines and
Topper’s high hat thrashing ever since, not to mention indulging in singing all
the angsty revolutionary lyrics (because of course I know them all) at the top
of my voice whenever possible. As for the kids - the 17 year old prefers the album Combat
Rock, seduced by the cameo from beat poet Ginsberg, while Miss eleven is more
of a London Calling fan because Rudie Can't Fail.
A funky, fresh offering from Blue Mountains bred hip-hop artist Tim Levinson that for me recalls Michael Franti and Arrested Development on some levels. Turn it up loud in the car and freak out the kids!
Watching
The Hour BBC
Never has a television programme captured the nuance of 50's new media - television - so thoughtfully. Both character and plot driven, this sumptuous series (check out Bel's colour blocking work wear and office decor) which is sadly not getting a third season, has or rather had, all the earmarks of a great BBC production. Compared, rather unfairly to Mad Men, The Hour has much more substance and the divine Ben Whishaw.
Never has a television programme captured the nuance of 50's new media - television - so thoughtfully. Both character and plot driven, this sumptuous series (check out Bel's colour blocking work wear and office decor) which is sadly not getting a third season, has or rather had, all the earmarks of a great BBC production. Compared, rather unfairly to Mad Men, The Hour has much more substance and the divine Ben Whishaw.
Warning: excessive smoking in some scenes may have you reaching for nicotine patches. At least you can watch them inhale.
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