New York Times: Freezing in summer

What a great editorial in yesterday's New York Times about our recent (historically-speaking) addiction with air conditioning that way, way too cold. The article mentions that 78 degrees is a reasonable level to set thermostats at in the summer (68 in winter).

I love this quote:

“In the United States there is a strong marketing emphasis on cold,” said Professor Hedge. “When you get a soda it’s chock full of ice. We serve beer chilled. We make a virtue of freezing things.” 

Vegan in El Paso

I'm adding "One Inspired Chef" on my list of favorite blogs. It's a gorgeous blog with many vegan recipes (no animal products at all!) by Alanna, a vegan chef in El Paso. Don't you really admire people who live by their beliefs despite difficult odds?

Dumbest. Product. Ever.

It's a toilet paper cover and Cotonnelle is giving them out for free. If I've ever seen waste in my life...

One year on e.coli lake

That little bubble on the picture is a one-room island in the middle of a lake and an eco-project by the Indianapolis Art Museum. It's also home to Catherine Ball, the daughter of a friend of mine who received a fellowship to spend a year there making filters from hemp, wood chips, and mushroom mycelium, which will be placed in the lake in an attempt to lower E.coli levels in the water over time. Her blog is here.

Mark your calendars: Environmental Justice Talk at UTEP

Dr. Devon Pena, of the University of Washington, will have the talk "Environmental Justice and Restoration Ecology: Building a Bridge and Net that Work," Tuesday, August 18, at 4:30 pm at UTEP's Centennial Museum. It's free.

Jim Tolbert: kicking butts and taking names

Unlike LaGreenga, who can be very lazy, Jim Tolbert of the blog El Paso Naturally, is a tireless advocate for nature in general and the Franklin Mountains in particular. He and his friends proved it again Tuesday when they presented the City Council with a petition signed by 1,571 El Pasoans who oppose the City's decision to develop the Transmountain corridor. The El Paso Times says the petition may force another council vote on the issue. Read the Times article here. (Photo by the El Paso Times)

Name that lizzard!

I came across this gorgeous little fellow while hiking at McKelligon Canyon Sunday. Does anybody know its name?

Picking your own vegetables

LaGreenga and la petite Greenga went to La Union Maze Saturday to pick vegetables. The chiles are labeled "Mild" to "Very Hot," which is helpful, and all the other stuff is not labeled, which makes it fun to try to figure out what's hiding under the leaves. We got one ear of corn, five tomatoes, one zucchini, two eggplants and two chile peppers for a total of $3 and some muddy shoes. La petite Greenga said, "It's just like Albertson's!"