Marian Blue

Poetry and photography explore the magic, humor, wonder, and joy we experience when we cherish Earth and all the habitats and inhabitants we find here. From clouds to Myakka soil and snakes to penguins, Blue and Ude-Crowe celebrate what's right within us and our environment while they also explore how to improve our lives and experiences within nature. Leap into fact and possibility that reside around us. Discover more about our vital connections to Earth and how to have faith in the resilience of those connections. All ages will discover words and images to cherish in this superb collection of nature poems and photography. This collection doesn't shy away from controversial issues - climate change, pollution, invasive species, and more - but positive images for change and reasons for celebration also abound. This book is also a call to action to become aware of life's vibrancy surrounding us as well as awareness of our involvement in that vibrancy. Humans are one of Earth's creatures, an animal with the ability to improve live for all species. Wildlife and the many habitats creatures both need and help to sustain spark readers curiosity. This collection provide a leaping off place to explore and rejoice in all that the natural world has to offer.

Poetry and photography explore the magic, humor, wonder, and joy we experience when we cherish Earth and all the habitats and inhabitants we find here. From clouds to Myakka soil and snakes to penguins, Blue and Ude-Crowe celebrate what's right within us and our environment while they also explore how to improve our lives and experiences within nature. Leap into fact and possibility that reside around us. Discover more about our vital connections to Earth and how to have faith in the resilience of those connections. All ages will discover words and images to cherish in this superb collection of nature poems and photography.This collection doesn't shy away from controversial issues - climate change, pollution, invasive species, and more - but positive images for change and reasons for celebration also abound. This book is also a call to action to become aware of life's vibrancy surrounding us as well as awareness of our involvement in that vibrancy. Humans are one of Earth's creatures, an animal with the ability to improve life for all species. Wildlife and the many habitats creatures both need and help to sustain spark readers curiosity. This collection isn't meant to be factual detail from experts but is meant to provide a leaping off place to explore and rejoice in all that the natural world has to offer.

These stories cover a range of time. I considered revising some of the older stories to update language and technology, then I decided to leave them alone. The characters are within their cultural time frames, and they don't wish to be juggled about nor to have their lives and stories changed, their histories altered.Many of the stories have been published (see acknowledgements). Some haven't found a home until this volume for various reasons. For instance, one problem story is "Baby Botchers." Editors, publishers, and readers tend to wince and run from the story as somehow supporting the concept of baby bartering. From my perspective, the story isn't in support of the idea of selling babies or manipulating genes according to human genetic specifications; rather, it's about how human attitudes and culture could be altered (not for the better) once that becomes the norm. See what you think.

What if you discover that you aren't human? That your parents aren't your parents? That you're expected to save the world?Vala, who talks to animals, and Eric, who reads individuals' thoughts, believe they're just oddball humans.What else is there to be?Their beliefs and lives shift forever when a transparent figure haunts their lives. When they finally make contact with the mysterious visitor, they learn they must give up everything and try to save not one but two Earths.Challenges to Alpha Earth, 2029, include environmental devastation and political demagogues. A greater threat looms over unaware residents: collision with another Earth threatens annihilation.Beta Earth residents have begun to realize the Membrane separating the two Earths is failing. Not only has Beta Earth lost its status as a sanctuary created by gentem-genetically divergent from homo sapiens-the threat of collision now endangers both Earths. The gentem have to find a solution to save at least one of the planets and at least one of the species. Which Earth should they choose? Which species?The questions force them to try to connect with the two children they abandoned on Alpha Earth 29 years earlier. The existence of both planets depends on what the children have to say.

The Interpretative Guide of Western-Northwest Weather Forecasts shines some humorous light on the challenges and creativity of weather forecasts within the unique Great Northwest, influenced by the Pacific Ocean, Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Puget Sound waterways, and many islands. Micro-climates include rain forests, rain shadows, convergence zones, cityscapes, and altitudes that range from sea level to 14,411' (Mount Rainier)-all of which are wet to varying degrees. Throw in the possibility/probability of sunlight and a forecaster's possible desire to be both accurate and well-liked, and the result is a vast array of conditional terms and statements that range from confusing to creative. Is the day partly sunny or partly cloudy? Are the showers scattered or isolated? What is a sunbreak? How does a water year differ from a calendar year? Why is it drier in a rain shadow? Why are these and other terms used?Author Marian Blue ironically considers the many ways forecasters can predict rain without saying that word. Terms are listed and defined. Color photographs, paintings, and graphics provide clarity and beauty to explanations. Also discussed is a bit of history, from the days when in-comers to the region were discouraged to the more welcoming culture of today. Terms and descriptions are enhanced through the wonderful photographs, paintings and sketches of the many artists, including the following: Dean Gibson, who did the cover as well as other work in the book, pursues his art (oil on canvas) in the forest in Western Washington. The rainy climate inspires many of his paintings. His regional scenes with streetlights and reflected water are collected and displayed on both coasts. Dean's work ranges from figurative to abstract-often featuring bright, bold colors like those he encountered when he lived in India.Lynne Hann, as a nature photographer, makes images of objects living in the outside world as well as those whose song has ended. Designs and patterns co-mingle in her favorite photographs while abstract lines, color and dancing light gain her most constant attention. The Northwest is her favorite study hall. The variety of natural elements, geography, and conditions found scattered there hold her in a state ofsustained passion. Lynne has had several public exhibits of her work and many of her images have appeared in magazines, books, calendars, and publications. For more, visit her Website at www.hannphoto.com.Cherie Ude currently resides in Florida, pursuing natural images in the wetlands and on the shorelines. She also photographs special events, such as weddings, baby showers, family reunions, and other occasions. She has pursued photography throughout the U.S. and many parts of the world, including Europe, Canada, South America, Australia, and Antartica where she worked for five years. She also lived on Whidbey Island for several years, capturing the many moods of the Western Northwest. See her images appear on Facebook at Cherie Ude Photography.A must for the potential in-comer, the more recent arrivals, and the still weather-befuddled locals of the Great Western Northwest. A lovely gift book. Also an excellent companion book to How Many Words for Rain, a book of poetry by the author with photographs by Lynne Hann.