Escaping Into Nature

Week 7 of 2024 (February 11-17)

Sunset on the beach (all photos taken by me; descriptions are in the text)

Yesterday was another day more of you joined the chat after I published my newsletter with news and memories of week 6 of this year. It is a safe space to escape the disappointment, fear, sadness, or anger we all feel these days.

I'm sure I'll move back to politics next year, in addition to the global environmental crisis and my writing about the beauty of nature—or, more generally, the beauty we experience while living our lives—that's at stake.

But if that's alright with you, I might move more towards the beauty side of this spectrum of issues. I think that's what you prefer after the November 5 disaster. I might include more nature, travel, walking, photography, history, and art. I might also include more of my experiences and opinions if that is what most readers prefer.

That would mean less writing about, for instance, the nominations for the top positions in the next government of people who are, on all accounts, utterly unfit for the job. You can read that elsewhere, but it won't give you hope or happiness.

So when you move to the chat and feel like adding your thoughts to these preliminary ideas about next year's editions of the Planet, I would love to read them because I try to write what I think you prefer to read.

Living on the island in February

In the week of February 12 to 18, I was on the Dutch island where I have lived most of the year to renovate an old house from 1918. When I see the photos from week 7, the house looks like a bomb has exploded. So, I often escaped into nature. Unlike life in Ottawa, where the harsh and long winter seems to hide all life under a thick layer of snow until the first flowers pop up in April, there is always some life in the gray first months of the year.

A tradition on the island that attracts some tourists every year in the least popular month of the year is the Straô—a festive procession of beautifully adorned horses and riders. A key highlight is the ritual washing of the feet of the horses in the sea "to ward off evil spirits and promote healing." The event also features competitions for the best-decorated horse and rider, celebrating local culture and community spirit. Although it was at the end of week 6, I will add them here since I missed these photos in yesterday's past midnight writing.

I just tried to find where I wrote about the Straô but couldn't find it on Substack. Perhaps it was on Medium or Patreon (if anyone remembers, please share it in the chat). But while looking for these photos, I found an article I wrote around that time that seems to fit our challenging time to read again. It is about compassion. I wrote:

"Because in a world increasingly overshadowed by division and hostility, the notion that compassion knows no limit and kindness has no enemy could serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration. I believe a particular inherent goodness resides within each of us. But many forget they have the potential to be kind and compassionate."

You can read the newsletter here.

Let's move to week 7:

Monday, February 12, 2024: Researchers unveiled a breakthrough in solar panel efficiency, achieving a record conversion rate of over 30%.

How many of you have solar panels on the roof? Mine are efficient. I haven't lived in this house in the winter yet, but my electricity bill is very low. I would have no costs if I had invested in a proper battery.

That Monday, I went to the beach to enjoy a magnificent sunset reflected on the wet sand (see top photo). It reminds me of one of my many never-finished stories on my laptop. If you find in this newsletter a sunset story early next year describing a spot where people leave little plates on a wall to remember loved ones lost, it means I finally finished it a year after I started.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024: The United Nations reported that global carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in 2023.

You hardly ever see the American turkeys in the Netherlands. There is a flock (or you might call it a rafter) of those birds in our village. Today, they blocked my road for an afternoon stroll.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024: The first-ever electric cargo ship was launched in Norway as part of efforts to decarbonize maritime transport.

Luna was unaware of the progress made on sustainability and enjoyed watching brown leaves dance in the wind against the window.

Thursday, February 15, 2024: The World Wildlife Fund reported a significant increase in the population of endangered tigers in India due to conservation efforts.

This was the first view through my roof window after I woke up. In the distance, you can see the big church of Haamstede with the first ray of sunlight on its eastern side.

Friday, February 16, 2024: The European Space Agency launched a new satellite to monitor climate change effects on sea levels.

I passed by this house and took a photo since it combines so many elements that are typical of Zeeland architecture. Note the white carved-out top beam, the combination of black wooden horizontal planks with the specific kind of stones used, and the wooden shutters for the windows in green and white with the same color combination on the windows. The red roof and the knotted trees complete the picture as typical Zeeland architecture.

Saturday, February 17, 2024: A historic snowfall blanketed parts of Southern California for the first time in decades due to an unusual weather pattern.

I walked on one of the islands where I passed this mansion on the weekend.

Sunday, February 18, 2024: A team of researchers successfully restored a historic wetland area in Florida as part of ongoing ecosystem recovery efforts.

This photo is from the same walk, a large mushroom.

What are your memories, photos, and experiences from week 7? And what direction would you want me to choose for next year? Join in the chat:

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