Conjunction

September 18, 2025

Image credit: Matt Champlin via Getty Images

A USA Today article toward the back of the front section of my local newspaper reported on the celestial event taking place on September 19th (tomorrow). Three celestial bodies are preparing to meet for one night that should be widely visible in the sky. The Earth’s moon and the planet Venus of Sol’s solar system will be briefly joined by the star Regulus. This event follows the close appearance of Venus and Jupiter during much of August. This moon-planet-star combination involves three of the brightest objects in our solar system and should make it easy for amateur astronomers to spot. This coming together, or conjunction, presents a special opportunity for even casual stargazers to see multiple celestial bodies at the same time.

When I went online, I found an astronomical conjunction occurs when two objects or spacecraft appear to be close to each other in the sky. This means they have either the same angular distance of a particular point measured eastward along the celestial equator (right ascension) or the same apparent positions, orbits, and pole orientations (ecliptic longitude). This closeness phenomenon is caused by the observer’s perspective, and the objects are not actually close to one another in space. Conjunctions between two bright objects close to the ecliptic, such as two bright planets, can be seen with the naked eye. More generally, it means they have the same right ascension. A conjunction seen by an observer on Earth involves two (or more) astronomical bodies and the times and details depend only slightly on the observer’s location on the Earth’s surface. The differences are greatest for conjunctions involving the Moon because of its relative closeness, but even for the Moon the time of the observed conjunction never differs by more than a few hours.

Conjunctions occur as the various paths of celestial objects traveling at varying speeds are brought together on the same side of the sun (from Earth’s perspective). The moon orbits around the Earth as our only satellite. Venus orbits as the sun’s second planet and is often referred to as “the Earth’s twin” as both are rocky (rather than gaseous) and have a similar orbit. Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo. This trio should be visible in the sky tomorrow night. Those who are in the Northern Hemisphere (North America, Europe, Asia) should be able to spot the conjunction easily by looking for the moon. Chelsea Gohd, science communicator at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, explained attention should be directed east in the early pre-dawn toward the waning crescent moon as it sets in the sky. Pre-dawn may be a stretch for me as I generally do not stay up that late or rise that early. We will see.

THOUGHTS: Conjunction is one of the words that stuck in my mind in high school as I was a cartoon connoisseur and often did stay up late enough to catch the pre-dawn shows that aired. This was the 70’s and evils of television were being countered by short educational promos offered by educational media like “Schoolhouse Rock!”. One segment in the series was titled “Conjunction Junction” and addressed the grammatical use of a conjunction. It was presented as a catchy song that is running through my head as I blog. The phrase “conjunction junction what’s your function” draws its meaning as a “junction” that connects things, and its “function” is to join words, phrases, and clauses together to form more complex sentences. The song uses the analogy of railroad “boxcars” hooked up by the conjunctions (i.e., “and,” “but,” “or”) to help viewers understand their grammatical role (analogical reasoning). This cognitive process uses prior knowledge of a known situation (“base domain”) to understand or solve a new, similar problem (“target domain”) by identifying shared structures and relationships between them. In human relationships, such analogies may create positive or negative responses. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Crayfish

September 10, 2025

An article in my MSN browser referenced a report published by the Michigan State University Extension by Michigan Sea Grant (MSG). MSG is a cooperative program focused on conservation and use of resources in the Great Lakes. The Grant makes the case that foraging could help reduce the negative impact of invasive species on the environment and perhaps prevent the need for harmful chemical methods of pest control. Plants and animals introduced to new areas often become problems to the ecosystem by outcompeting native species that keep things balanced. One study found invasives cause nearly US$20 billion in damage in the US every year, with agriculture being the most severely impacted sector. One solution comes from programs to bring these species to our menus. Some restaurants have been introducing wild boar to Americans with the help of their providers and with the inspection facilities of the Department of Agriculture to ensure the safety of the product. MSG calls out red swamp crayfish for their aggressiveness and role in potentially spreading disease and parasites to other creatures but also notes they are a delicious component in recipes such as gumbo and bisque.

When I went online, I found the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), also called the Louisiana crawfish or mudbug, is a species of the cambarid family of crayfish native to freshwater bodies of northern Mexico, and southern and southeastern US. It has also been introduced elsewhere in both North America and other continents where it is often an invasive pest. The red swamp is typically dark red, with long claws and head, small or no spines on the sides of its upper section of the shell (carapace) just below the head, and rows of bright red bumps on the front and side of the first leg. The native range is from northern Mexico and far southeastern New Mexico, through the Gulf States to the Florida Panhandle, as well as inland north through the Mississippi Basin to southern Illinois. It has also been introduced outside its natural range to countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Individuals are reported to cross many miles of relatively dry ground, especially in wet seasons, although the aquarium trade and anglers may have hastened the spread in some areas.

The red swamp crayfish is eaten in China, Cambodia, Thailand, Europe, Africa, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. In the US, crayfish are particularly popular in Louisiana, where crawfish boils are popular social gatherings centered around eating the crustaceans. Louisiana crawfish are usually boiled in a large pot with heavy seasoning (salt, cayenne pepper, lemon, garlic, bay leaf, etc. – I usually use Old Bay Crawfish Boil) along with items such as potatoes and corn on the cob. In 1990, Louisiana produced 90% of the crayfish in the world and consumed 70% locally. As early as 2003, Asian fish farms and fisheries produced more and continued to outpace production in any other part of the world. By 2018, crayfish production in the Americas represented just 4% of total global supply and 93% of the US crayfish farms were in Louisiana.

THOUGHTS: As a boy in Kansas, I would use a seine to catch the abundant crayfish to use as an inexpensive fish bait. I never considered these crustaceans more than bait until I went to the Crawdad Festival in Isleton, California. The red swamp crayfish has invaded the California waters and the three native species of crayfish (sooty crayfish – Pacifastacus nigrescens, Pilose crayfish – Pacufastacys gambelii, and Shasta crayfish – Pacifastacus fortis) have nearly disappeared. Isleton is in the Sacramento delta and was forced to fly in mudbugs from Louisiana. Crayfish is an acquired taste but once I got beyond the bait aspect, I found I loved them. “Pinch the tail and suck the heads!” Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Cloud Seeding

September 09, 2025

I thought it was appropriate after a recent blog on planting my second set of seeds that yesterday’s local newspaper carried a USA Today article responding to the July storm that dumped 20 inches (50.8 cm) of rain in parts of central Texas. This was the equivalent of a month’s worth of rain and swelled the Guadalupe River over its banks, resulting in the death of 130 people. As is typical for most disasters, people sought to place the blame in a variety of places. One unexpected place was on the activity of a small startup called Rainmaker two days prior and 100 miles (160 km) away. The flight had lasted 20 minutes and released 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of silver iodide into a set of clouds, resulting in a drizzle of less than 0.2 inches (1/2 cm) of rain on farmlands struggling with drought. Scientists said the distance made it scientifically impossible for this cloud seeding to have played a role in the flooding.

When I went online, I found cloud seeding is a type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation, mitigate hail, or disperse fog. The usual objective is to increase rain or snow. Cloud seeding involves dispersing particulate substances into the atmosphere to serve are the center (nuclei) that water vapor or ice condenses on. Common agents include silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice, but water attracting (hygroscopic) materials like table salt are gaining popularity. Techniques include a static seed which encourages ice particle formation in supercooled clouds to increase precipitation or dynamic seeding which enhances cloud development through the release of latent heat. The substance is usually dispersed by aircraft or ground-based generators, but newer approaches involve drones delivering electric charges to stimulate rainfall or infrared laser pulses aimed at inducing particle formation. The effectiveness of cloud seeding remains a subject of debate among scientists despite decades of research. Environmental and health impacts are considered minimal due to the low concentrations of substances used, but concerns persist.

Cloud seeding has been used as far back as the 1940’s for various purposes, including agricultural benefits, water supply augmentation, and event planning. Eric Betterton, professor emeritus in atmospheric sciences at the University of Arizona, said “people have been worried about using silver iodide in the past, but the amounts are so small it’s insignificant . . . there are no known effects on the environment.” The technique also has limitations. You cannot create a storm or control the climate. Seeding simply speeds up the natural process that causes rain or snow to fall. As extreme weather events increase along with climate change, so do explanations offered by conspiracy theorists, including possible military involvement. Lawmakers in several states have introduced bills to ban or restrict cloud seeding and other forms of weather modification. Legal frameworks primarily focus on prohibiting the military or hostile use of weather modification techniques, leaving the ownership and regulation of cloud-seeding activities to national discretion. Despite skepticism and debate over its efficacy and environmental impact, cloud seeding continues to be explored and applied worldwide as a tool for weather modification.

THOUGHTS: Rainmaker’s 20-minute cloud seeding flight was part of a local program and these are usually funded by a water district or utility. While it did not fuel the distant flooding disaster it did produce fear and legislation to ban or restrict weather modification. As global warming increases, understanding how clouds behave and interact with our warming and ever more polluted atmosphere is why scientists want to study cloud seeding and not ban it. Information is critical in understanding how our planet works. The article closed, “You can’t engineer a flood.” Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

2nd Crop

August 27, 2025

While I considered replanting my raised beds last year, I never got around to doing it. When I planted my vegetables in April I noted when (and if) I could replant another round of the same vegetables. After the initial harvest I also considered which vegetables I wanted more of. I already had way too many pickles (Cucumis sativus) with 12 pints (5.7 liters) than I could use over the next year, and the same was true for the six pints (2.8 liters) of canned carrots (Daucus carota). I had eaten through the radishes (Raphanus sativus) and only had 2 pints of beets (Beta vulgaris) left, so these were a good choice. I also decided to replant cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea). We enjoyed the two quarts (1.9 liters) of sauerkraut last year and I had not planted a new crop this year. I rounded out the raised beds with a few vegetables that had not grown well along the patio; lettuce (Lactuca sativa), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), and peas (Pisum sativum). Now that my 2nd crop is planted, I just need to wait and see what will produce.

When I went online, I found a second crop is either the second growth of a crop that regrows after an initial harvest, or, more commonly, a different crop planted on the same land within the same year after a previous crop has been harvested. This is known as double cropping and allows farmers to maximize land use and harvest two yields from the same acreage in a single growing season. This requires sufficient time for the crop to mature and resources like water to support the second planting. There are two main types of second crop. The first is a regrowth after the initial harvest where the stump/roots of a crop resprouts after it has been cut for its first harvest (example, broomcorn). The second is to plant a follow-on crop of a new and different crop on the same piece of land within the same year after the first has been harvested. This utilizes land that might otherwise lay idle or unproductive. Double cropping requires adequate time for the second crop to mature and sufficient moisture from rainfall or irrigation to support both plantings. This process can boost the overall farm revenue and potentially improve ecological services.

There are several benefits to succession planting or planting a 2nd crop in your vegetable garden. First is that it allows you to enjoy the vegetables you love for a longer period. This also allows for more yield in the same amount of space. This is especially so for smaller gardens with limited space. If you plant a 2nd crop from a different plant family, it can improve the soil structure and replenish nutrients depleted by the 1st crop. Finally, rotating different types of plants helps disrupt the life cycles of pests that had fed on the 1st crop and reduce the spread of diseases. Critical considerations for a 2nd crop are the first frost date in your growing area (mine is 7b). That means planting fast maturing varieties and vegetables that thrive in cool weather. You will also need to amend your soil with new compost or fertilizer to ensure a good result. I did not fertilize when I planted yesterday. This just gives me something to do today (ha ha).

THOUGHTS: Planting a 2nd crop is the next step toward my goal of sustainability. Admittedly, I should have allowed several plants to go to seed and then replanted those. Instead, I used what was left in the heirloom seed packages I had left. Maybe next year. As the weather cools, I am looking forward to finally getting some production from the tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and bell (Capsicum annuum) and jalapeno (Capsicum annuum) peppers I planted last April along with the new produce from my 2nd crop. While the time and expense of growing my garden may not cover the costs, the crispness of the produce makes it worthwhile. Sustainability is a process that is its own reward. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Invasion

August 22, 2025

@Elijah Nouvelage, Reuters

Inside the back section of my local newspaper was a USA Today article on and invasion taking place in the San Jaquin Valley, California. This month’s newsletter by the Almond Board of California said the infestation has impacted more than 100,000 acres of almond trees and caused US$109 million to US$311 million in losses from damage to equipment and crops over a year. The valley is one of the world’s top agricultural regions. The invasion started last fall and took growers by surprise. Now they are still scrambling to figure out how to repel the intruders, often turning to Roger Baldwin, a rodent expert with the University of California, Davis, where he is a cooperative extension professor. Baldwin used to get fewer than one inquiry a year, but he said, “There are inquiries and questions about doing interviews on rat control and giving seminars on rat control, and can I write articles about this.” His phone buzzes with requests from farmers, journalists, and others seeking expertise on how to control the rat invasion on the state’s US$4.7 billion almond industry.

When I went online, I found the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), also known as the common rat, street rat, sewer rat, wharf rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, and Norwegian rat, is a widespread species of common rat known to create periodic invasions in other parts of the world. The island of Taukihepa (Maori) or Big South Cape Island (European) is an offshore island of New Zealand to the west of the southern tip of Rakiura or Stewart Island. The island has no permanent inhabitants but is visited by Maori hunters (muttonbirders) in search of sooty shearwaters (Ardenna grisea), known in New Zealand as “muttonbirds”, that came to nest on the island in the spring. The muttonbirders arrived in March 1964 to find the island devastated by rats. Previously free of mammalian predators, the ecology of the island was overwhelmed in a matter of years. Many endemic species of bird (some flightless) were driven to extinction and the surviving insect and bird life heavily reduced. An eradication program was initiated to rid the island of rats, and the island was rat-free again in 2006.

The exact cause of the California rat invasion is unclear, but it may have been spurred by abandoned fields. California accounts for more than 75% of the global almond production and exports 70% of its output to 100-plus countries, with India as the leading customer. Rats have always been a bigger problem at citrus orchards but have now developed a taste for nut trees. Baldwin and others say the shift comes from three contributing factors. A protracted drought and diminishing water supplies in the early 2020’s left over half a million acres (202,343 ha) in California unplanted. That also meant there was no pest control in those fields. The drought ended in the winter of 2022-23 and began a three-year spell of at least average rainfall bringing vegetation growth and an abundance of food resources. State restrictions on pesticides have also limited the means growers have for getting rid of rodents. The rats are joined by five species of squirrels (family, Sciuridae), deer mice (genus, Peromyscus), and others, but rats have by far been the most destructive. Some farmers say they have spent hundreds and even thousands of US dollars per acre on rat control over the last year.

THOUGHTS: Invasive plants and animals can quickly expand to the level of an invasion if left unchecked. Humans have tried to control the invasion using biological and pesticide controls. The biological fixes have a record of resulting in an invasion of their own. Globalization has brought an influx of goods and services to every corner of the earth. It has also resulted in the destruction of ecosystems in these same areas. While we may never reverse these effects, we can be vigilant in choosing what to purposefully spread and curtailing any negative aspects that may result. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Digger

August 21, 2025

Following my disappointment fishing while at the coast last week I decided to walk through the beach community and see if I could spot some birds that were not yet on my list. I took the road through the community first to try and spot land birds. I was able to see two species I already recorded, an American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and a flock of house sparrows (Passer domesticus). It was not until I returned along the beach that I picked out several forms of gulls (California gull, Larus californicus; western gull, Larus occidentalis; short-billed gull, Larus brachyrhynchus) and a flock of white-winged scoter (Melanitta deglandi) ducks. The beaches along the Puget Sound tend to be small well-worn rock rather than the sand I associat with other coasts. This is harder to walk on, and it took me a while to get back to the house. When I arrived, my daughter-in-law showed me a picture of the unusual wasp they had encountered on their beach walk (other direction). It was a large golden digger sand wasp.

When I went online, I found the golden digger sand wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus), or great golden digger wasp or great golden sand digger, is a wasp in the family Sphecidae. The wasp’s name comes from the Greek word for “tracker,” and is most well-known for its parasitic nesting behavior. It is identified by the golden pubescence on its head and thorax (chest), its reddish orange legs, and partly reddish orange body. Golden hairs cover the head and thorax (hence “golden”). The digger has a long, slender waist (petiole). Their hind region (metasoma) is black with the first couple of segments a brilliant orange-red that matches their legs. Size varies from 1/2 to over 1 inch (1-1/4 to 2.5+ cm) long. This wasp is native to the Western Hemisphere, from Canada to South America, and provisions its young with various types of paralyzed Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets).

From May through August, great golden digger wasp females build their nests in sandy soils. These consist of a descending shaft and side chambers for the young at right angles. This makes it difficult to pull prey into a brood chamber without getting stuck and is one possible reason why the wasp always checks to ensure the path is clear before pulling its prey down by its antennae. Female wasps commonly build their burrows nearby those of other females of their species and may even share a nest. However, they will fight other wasps if they encounter them inside their burrow during prey retrieval. By inspecting the unattended nest, the wasp avoids risking an encounter with another wasp while carrying its prey. The digger will track and hunt their prey (i.e., tracker) and sting it with a paralyzing venom that keeps it alive, then flies (or drags) the prey to the nest. At the nest the digger wasp lays down their paralyzed prey and enters her tunnel and checks to ensure that all is well. Then she brings the prey down into a side chamber, lays an egg on the prey, and seals the chamber. When the egg hatches it feeds on the prey through the winter, and the new wasp emerges from its side chamber in the spring and begins the cycle again.

THOUGHTS: The golden digger sand wasp is like the cicada killer (Sphecius speciosus) I saw last week in Arkansas. Both are large, solitary, build nests in the ground, are harmless to humans, and do not defend their nest or behave aggressively. While they have stingers, they rarely sting humans unless they are stepped on. The digger is a pollinator that preys on insects that are harmful and are helpful to have around your garden (or beach house!). These are possibly the only wasps known to be attacked by birds. House sparrows and American robins (Turdus migratorius) will attack to force the digger to drop its prey for the bird to eat. I guess both the young and the birds are looking for an easy meal. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Sea Lion

August 17, 2025

One of the joys of visiting family is being able to spend time on the ocean coast. My sister lives in Maine and we always take time to visit the ocean for at least one day during the trip. My son’s family lives near Seattle and has a beach house near the Tulalip Tribe’s reservation. This weekend we were able to go to Seattle and spend two days on the coast. The first day my young grandson took me fishing on the rock beach behind their house. He made two casts and immediately caught a 6-inch (15 cm) sculpin (Hemilepidotus spinosus). After two more casts, he offered the pole to me. I took several casts and did not get a bite. My grandson seemed to get bored and went back to play at the house. I kept casting for another 10 minutes and did not get a bite the entire time. I gave up and went to sit on the deck and watch the beautiful sunset. After several minutes my daughter-in-law noticed a sea lion had ventured into our part of the bay and was bobbing up and down in the channel.

When I went online, I found the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. It is one of six species of sea lions. It has a natural habitat range from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. California sea lions are sexually dimorphic with the males being larger than females. Males have a thicker neck and a protruding ridge of bone lengthwise along the top of the skull (sagittal crest). The animals will mainly haul out on sandy or rocky beaches, but they also frequent manmade environments such as marinas and wharves. Sea lions feed on several species of fish and squid and are preyed on by orcas and great white sharks. The sea lions have a polygynous (multiple partners) breeding pattern. Males establish territories from May to August and try to attract females to mate. Females are free to move between territories and are not coerced by males. Mothers nurse their pups in between foraging trips. California sea lions use many vocalizations, but most notably barks and mother-pup contact calls. Outside breeding season, California sea lions spend much of their time at sea but come to shore to molt. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as Least Concern due to its abundance. Oregon and Washington states engage in annual kill quota to protect the fish.

When I woke up the following morning, I decided I would try my luck with fishing again. When I fished yesterday it had been high tide (the best time to catch fish on this beach). Now it was low tide. Undeterred, I took the poll and strode to the water’s edge and began to cast once more. I found out why it is best to fish at high tide almost immediately. On nearly every cast I fouled my hook in the lush beds of eel grass (Zostera marina) that covered the bottom of the channel. Besides providing excellent forage for the California sea lions, the sea grass meadows provide food and shelter for juvenile fish, Dungeness crabs (Metacarcinus magister), the Pink (Chlamys rubida) and Spiny Scallops (Chlamys hastata). and other marine life. They serve as a food source for herbivores during the growing season and for things that feed on the decomposing grass (detritivores). The seagrasses absorb carbon dioxide, filter polluted runoff, absorb excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), stabilize sediments, and improve water flow.

THOUGHTS: One of the questions I was frequently asked after moving from California’s Bay Area to southcentral Kansas was if it was any different where I used to live. I rented a house at a marina on the bay with a boat slip out my back door. My stock answer was, “well, I have not been greeted by the sound of a sea lion when I wake up in the morning.” While not getting any bites the second day, I spotted a sea lion pup and mother foraging nearby. It was good to know I was in a healthy ecosystem. We need to do what we can to keep them that way. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Outburst

August 16, 2025

A USA Today article reported how water from a melting glacier has caused a river near Alaska’s capital city of Juneau to swell to historic levels. As of August 13th, emergency barriers protecting Juneau appear are holding. The risk from summer glacial flooding is on the rise as climate change increases temperatures, causing more ice to melt. Lakes form behind the unsteady dams made of ice and when these dams fail, the water rushes out, often resulting in catastrophic downstream flooding. The ice dam lake near Juneau ice is called Suicide Basin, which is part of the Mendenhall Glacier. If it collapses from summer heat it will release the water in a short period of time. Aaron Jacobs, a hydrologist at the National Weather Service office in Juneau, said as these events continue to unfold, scientists need to continue to improve their understanding of these glacial systems, especially as the climate continues to change and warm throughout Alaska. Glacial lake outburst flooding is produced by the quick, unexpected release of water from a glacial lake.

When I went online, I found a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a type of outburst flood caused by the failure of a dam containing a glacial lake. A similar event where the ice melts and overflows the glacier is called a jökulhlaup. The dam can consist of glacier ice or previous glacial deposits (moraine). Failure can happen due to erosion, buildup of water pressure, an avalanche of rock or heavy snow, an earthquake, or by a sudden cracking action in frozen soil or rock saturated with water or ice (cryoseism), volcanic eruptions under the ice, or massive displacement of water in a glacial lake when a large portion of an adjacent glacier collapses into it. Increasing glacial melting because of climate change along with melting of the permafrost means regions with glaciers are likely to see increased flooding risks from GLOFs. This is especially true in the Himalayas where geologies are more active. A 2023 study found 15 million people at risk from this hazard, mostly in China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Peru.

Glacial lake volumes vary but may hold millions (35,314,666+ cubic feet) to hundreds of millions of cubic meters (3,531,466,600+ cubic feet) of water. Catastrophic failure of the ice or glacial sediment containing the water can be released over periods of minutes to days. Peak flows as high as 529,720 cubic feet (15,000 cubic meters) per second have been recorded in such events. This suggests the v-shaped canyon of a normally small mountain stream could suddenly develop an extremely turbulent and fast-moving torrent of water some 160 feet (50 m) deep. Glacial Lake Outburst Floods are often compounded by a massive riverbed erosion in the steep moraine valleys resulting in flood peaks increasing as they flow downstream until the sediment deposits. On a downstream floodplain, it suggests a somewhat slower inundation spreading as much as 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) wide. Both scenarios are significant threats to life, property and infrastructure.

THOUGHTS: The glacial outburst in Alaska is not a new phenomenon and has occurred annually in Suicide Basin since 2011. What is new in the last few years is the amount of water being released all at once during these events. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information Alaska has warmed twice as fast over the last several decades Information compared to the rest of the US. Its average annual temperature has risen 3.1F (-16.0C) in the past century. Since 1990, humans have been the primary cause of melting glaciers worldwide due to rising temperatures from the burning of greenhouse gases and land-use changes. Such an outburst can be prevented. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Cramps

August 15, 2025

We decided it was time to visit my son and his wife (and especially the grandkids!) and arraigned for the flight to Seattle, Washington. We previously took advantage of a direct flight when we lived in Wichita, Kansas. The flight was set up to quickly fly air manufacturers and reps between their factories in both cities. Even after moving to Arkansas, we took this flight since both mom and my brother lived in Wichita. We would drive to see them and then fly direct to Seattle. This time we decided to fly from the regional airport next to us rather than drive 5 hours prior to the 3-1/2 hour flight. The difficulty with our local airport is they only fly to big hubs and then you still need the same amount of time to get to your location. That meant we took a short flight to Dallas/Fortworth, had a quick layover, and still had the 3-1/2 hour flight to Seattle. This was complicated further as our puddle jumper got in 20 minutes late and left us only 35 minutes to catch our next flight (no stress here). Luckily, that flight had difficulty boarding passengers and we easily made the next leg. We arrived just after my son flew into the same airport and had an exciting evening watching grandkid activities (football and cheer). We went to bed early after the long day, but both Melissa and I both woke up in the middle of the night with leg cramps.

When I went online, I found that long flights can result in leg cramps. Everyday leg cramps are often caused by muscle strain, exercise, or dehydration, but long flights can introduce extra complications that increase the risk of cramps. The main cause is long periods of sitting still in cramped conditions. Even when sitting for long periods at work or at home, we have the freedom to move and stretch. Sitting on a long flight has limited leg room that reduces the natural muscle contractions in your legs crucial for pumping blood back to your heart. This causes sluggish circulation, allows blood to pool, and makes muscles far more vulnerable to cramping. Long flights can also create dehydration from the dry cabin air (humidity is often 10 to 20% compared to 40 to 50% on land) and pressure changes during take-off and landing. This makes your muscles more prone to painful cramps. However, there are ways to help prevent painful cramps.

I found a site that listed five ways to prevent the painful cramps we both experienced. The first is to start hydrating 1-2 days pre-flight, wear loose fitting clothing, and consider wearing compression socks to promote better blood flow. Once on the flight, make it a priority to get up and move around the cabin at least once every hour and resist the urge to cross your legs (impedes blood flow). There are simple exercises you can perform to maintain circulation. These include ankle circles, foot pumps, knee lifts, calf raises, and leg extensions. Next, find ways to stay hydrated while in the air by drinking at least 8.5 ounces (250 ml) of fluid every hour you are in the air. Finally, avoid alcoholic beverages (a diuretic) as these encourage your body to lose more fluids and increase your risk of cramps. Drinks with high sugar content (fruit juices and soda) can also pull water from your system as your body tries to process it. While not glamorous, plain water is best for preventing leg cramps.

THOUGHTS: When Melissa and I woke up with cramps we both immediately thought of grabbing an electrolyte drink which provides minerals in your body fluids that carry an electric charge. My son is a fitness aficionado, so I figured he would have something. I looked through the drinks stored in the garage and checked the refrigerator, but to no avail. Getting moving seemed to help. When he got up, I asked, and he had several powdered remedies rather than a liquid version. Between the electrolytes and moving the cramps went away. Now that I know the secret to avoiding cramps, I am ready for our return flights. Like most things, planning in advance and proper execution can make life easier. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Mite

August 13, 2025

It was only fitting after blogging on the cicada-killer wasp (Sphecius speciosus) that I found another species that attacks the broods as they emerge. Buried in the back section of my local newspaper was an article about a mite that attacks the periodical egg nests of cicadas. The species commonly feeds on the larvae of midges (various Suborders of Diptera) or flies and form an abnormal outgrowth (gall) as a reaction to both the insects and the mites feeding on them on the edges of pin oak (Quercus palustris) leaves. Once their development is complete, they drop from the tree and can land on, and subsequently bite, humans and animals. According to Penn State Extension, the bite can cause an itchy rash, redness of the skin, and a small, raised pimple-like bump. They usually bite humans while searching for other food sources.

When I went online, I found oak leaf itch mite (Pyemotes herfsi), also known as the oak leaf gall mite, was first identified in Europe and subsequently found in India, Asia, and the US. The mites live on the surface of the host’s skin (ectoparasitic) feeding on blood or skin cells. The mite is barely visible, measuring about 0.008 to 0.03 inches (0.2 to 0.8 mm). Newly emerged and mated females inject a neurotoxin-containing saliva into their hosts, which paralyzes the host and enables the pregnant (gravid) female to feed on the host’s body fluid (hemolymph). The posterior portion (opisthosoma) of the female enlarges as its young develops inside, and after several days up to 250 adult mites emerge, of which 92% were females. Males emerge before the females, position themselves around the mother’s genital opening, and mate with emerging females. The mated females then disperse to find new hosts. The mites are often dispersed by wind, and when they land on vertebrate hosts, they attempt to feed, resulting in the bites. Their great reproductive potential, small size, and high capacity for dispersal by wind make them difficult to control or avoid.

Humans are most likely to get bites while doing yard work or outdoor activities under trees that may be infected. The University of Maryland Extension recommends you avoid scratching the bite as this may lead to a secondary infection. Instead, use an itch relief product. If the itchiness or redness persists or signs of infection appear you should consult a doctor. The best way to avoid bites is to limit time underneath potentially infected trees and to immediately remove and wash clothing once coming inside. While that may be good advice, it does not seem like I would remember to do either. The mite is most active for a four-to-six-week period surrounding cicada brood hatches. Studies have shown in some cases the mite can survive mild winters in protected areas. A suggested preventive measure is the application of DEET before outdoor activity. However, anecdotal reports suggest DEET might not provide complete protection.

THOUGHTS: The oak leaf itch mite was first recognized in the US with an outbreak in Kansas which affected around 19,000 people in 2004. The mite was also linked to a 2007 outbreak of rashes in Chicago where they were feeding on the eggs of the 17-year cicada. The double brood hatch in 2025 again brought the mite back in force. I have noticed a proliferation of YouTube videos depicting humans assisting other animals in removing parasites or other things that have overwhelmed a larger animal (perhaps because I watched one and it is now on my feed radar?). Even at the top of the food chain it does not keep humans from becoming food themselves. Being wary of your surroundings can help keep you safe, but living in fear restricts your appreciation of the beauty of nature. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.