I’ve been very busy lately writing, often for five hours a day. The rest of the time I play solitaire, bridge, Scrabble (all online), and watch moves on Prime Video or Netflix. I rarely watch any TV nowadays; I think my interest prior to recently was in the political situation, because my son and daughter-in-law are very interested in politics. But I’ve lost interest now, aside from filling in my Vote By Mail ballot,

I’ve also taken up jewelry design, but it may be a fading interest; and my son and daughter-in-law (Andy and Cathy) visit on Sundays (usually) and we have game night. We play board games and card games, and talk.

My work in progress currently consists of a thriller titled “Mama’s Boy,” a mystery/suspense trilogy (at least the first book in the series) titled “Sabbatical: A Town Called Peaceful,” three or four short stories that I’ve been inspired to write, and my most recent blog, Climate Change Now. A long time ago I wrote a poem I called “Beauty,” and recently submitted it for critique to Writing.com, where it’s received a number of positive, if not glowing, reviews. I’ve also posted a number of stories there, most of which also get good reviews. I wish my books on Amazon got those good reviews.

One other thing: A year or two ago, I bought myself a tiny yellow rosebush and we’ve recently had to repot it as it’s grown several feet. Right now there’s one blossom, and I can see three buds that will soon be blossoming, I’ve never, ever been able to keep a plant alive for more than a few weeks until this one. I’m very proud of it.

Anyway, that’s pretty much what’s going on in my life.

Mother Earth is reacting to the world’s indifference to its warnings, so they are currently intensifying. Since so many people have resisted prior warnings about nature’s imbalance, Nature herself must now take a hand.

She started with higher temperatures and more hurricanes, and no one listened. She went on with insect infestations such as “murder hornets,” and others. Still no one listened. So she sent the coronavirus (and then its variants). Are we listening now?

During the 1970s, Congress wanted NASA to do more research to meet “national needs.” These needs included energy efficiency, pollution, ozone depletion, and climate change. In 1976, Congress revised the Space Act, authorizing NASA to research the stratospheric ozone layer. This formalized the agency’s movement into Earth sciences.

Something I just recently learned: Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by about 30 percent. This increase is the result of humans emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and hence more being absorbed into the oceans. The effect of this acidity is to kill hundreds if not thousands of fish and other sea creatures. This itself has the effect of causing ocean predators to create other methods of locating sustenance, such as moving closer inland and eating (thus decimating) creatures that wouldn’t ordinarily be their prey.

The above can eventually lead to the extinction of many other small creatures that have evolved to live just offshore.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, climate change is the result of the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels for energy and other human activities. These gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, warm and alter the global climate, which causes environmental changes to occur that can harm people’s health and well-being. The NIEHS Climate Change and Human Health Program leads and coordinates the institute’s efforts to better understand climate change, in order to protect people’s health.

While climate change is a global process, it has very local impacts that can profoundly affect communities. It can affect people’s health and well-being in many ways, some of which are already occurring, by:

• Increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves, leading to more heat-related illnesses and deaths, and wildfires.
• Changing the range of disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that transmit West Nile Virus, dengue fever, Lyme disease, and malaria to humans.
• Increasing exposure to pollen, due to increased plant growing seasons; molds, due to severe storms; and air pollution, due to increased temperature and humidity, all of which can worsen allergies and other lung diseases, such as asthma.
• Increasing temperatures, causing poor air quality that can affect the heart and worsen cardiovascular disease.
• Increasing flooding events and sea level rise, that can contaminate water with harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemicals, causing foodborne and waterborne illnesses.
• Increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, in addition to causing illnesses, injuries, deaths, and effects on mental health from damage to property, loss of loved ones, displacement, and chronic stress.
• Placing added stress on hospital and public health systems, and limiting people’s ability to obtain adequate health care during extreme climate events.

Scientists attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid-20^th century to the human expansion of the “greenhouse effect”–warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space.

According to NASA, the vital signs of climate change include the facts that carbon dioxide has increased to 414 parts per million, the arctic ice minimum has decreased by 12.85% per decade, and the sea level has been rising 3.3 millimeters per year. More recently, The Jason-3, Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason-2, and Jason-1 missions recorded a sea level rise of nearly 4 inches (about 10 centimeters) since 1993.

NASA points out that “Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Long-lived gases that remain semi-permanently in the atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature are described as ‘forcing’ climate change. Gases, such as water vapor, which respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature are seen as “feedbacks.” Feedbacks include gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluoro-carbons.

In 1993, NASA stated the global temperature was up two degrees F since 1880, and pointed out that although two degrees may sound like a small amount, it’s an unusual event in our planet’s recent history. Earth’s climate record, preserved in tree rings, ice cores, and coral reefs, shows that the global average temperature is stable over long periods of time. Furthermore, small changes in temperature correspond to enormous changes in the environment. For example, at the end of the last ice age, when the Northeast United States was covered by more than 3,000 feet of ice, average temperatures were only 5 to 9 degrees cooler than today.

By 2007, the accumulation of new Earth science data helped the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – the United Nations body established to assess the science related to climate change – reach the conclusion that “Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (human-produced) greenhouse gas concentrations.” But there’s still a lot to learn about the consequences. How much warmer will it get? How much will sea level rise?

According to National Climate Assessment Reports (NCAR), global climate is predicted to continue to change over this century and beyond. Temperatures will continue to rise, frost-free season (and growing season) will lengthen, changes in precipitation patterns, there will be more droughts and heat waves, hurricanes will become stronger and more intense, sea level will rise up to eight feet by the year 2100, the arctic is likely to become ice-free.

The effects of these changes will include air pollution, algal blooms, dioxins, lead, mercury, mold, ozone, pesticides, radon, and others.

As the North Atlantic hurricane season enters its traditional peak period, the US National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) has adjusted its forecast to take into account ongoing conditions which influence cyclonic activity.

The slightly lowered conditions still favor an above-normal 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, according to NOAA’s annual mid-season update issued today by the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service.

NOAA forecasters have slightly decreased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 60% (lowered from the outlook issued in May, which predicted a 65% chance). The likelihood of near-normal activity has risen to 30% and the chances remain at 10% for a below-normal season. 

“We’re just getting into the peak months of August through October for hurricane development, and we anticipate that more storms are on the way,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “NOAA stands ready to deliver timely and accurate forecasts and warnings to help communities prepare in advance of approaching storms.”

With 70% confidence, NOAA’s update to the 2022 outlook, which covers the entire six-month hurricane season that ends on Nov. 30, calls for up to 20 named storms, of which up to 10 could become hurricanes. Of those, up to 5 could become major hurricanes. So far, the season has seen three named storms and no hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin. An average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

There are several atmospheric and oceanic conditions that still favor an active hurricane season. This includes La Niña conditions, which are favored to remain in place for the rest of 2022 and could allow the ongoing high-activity era conditions to dominate, or slightly enhance hurricane activity. In addition to a continued La Niña, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, an active west African Monsoon and likely above-normal Atlantic sea-surface temperatures set the stage for an active hurricane season, and are reflective of the ongoing high-activity era for Atlantic hurricanes.

Every year, there are on average 84 named tropical cyclones all over the world. Over the past 50 years, every single day, they have caused on average 43 deaths and US$ 78 million losses  and have also been responsible for one third of both deaths and economic losses from weather-, climate- and water-related disasters, according to WMO statistics from 1970-2019. But the death toll has fallen dramatically, thanks to improvements in forecasting, warning and disaster risk reduction coordinated by WMO’s Tropical Cyclone Program.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report projects that the global proportion of tropical cyclones that reach very intense (category 4-5) levels, along with their peak winds and rainfall rates, are expected to increase with climate warming. Sea level rise and coastal development have increased the risk and impact.

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurs when toxin-producing algae grow excessively in a body of water. Algae are microscopic organisms that live in aquatic environments and use photosynthesis to produce energy from sunlight, just like plants. In addition to health concerns, HABs can damage the environment by depleting oxygen in the water, which can cause fish kills, or simply by blocking sunlight from reaching organisms deeper in the water.

Dioxins, found in waste incineration and burning of trash, can cause developmental problems in children, lead to reproductive and infertility problems in adults, result in miscarriages, damage the immune system, and interfere with hormones. Exposure to dioxins has widespread effects in nearly every vertebrate species, at nearly every stage of development, including in the womb.

Sources of lead include old paint dust, and contaminated water and soil. Sources of mercury include fish and shellfish. Mercury, also known as quicksilver, is a naturally-occurring metal that is toxic to living organisms. Metallic or elemental mercury–an odorless, shiny, silver-white liquid–is commonly used in thermometers, barometers and fluorescent light bulbs. Metallic mercury is extremely dangerous, with a few drops generating enough fumes to contaminate the air in a room. Furthermore, skin contact with the metal results in the absorption of mercury into the bloodstream, and potential health problems.

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium or thorium found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground and into the home through cracks in floors, walls and foundations. It can also be released from building materials or from well water. Long-term exposure to radon particles can lead to lung cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year. 

How can we keep climate changes from happening? One possibility, from National Geographic, is what’s called “efficient living,” which includes building smaller houses, using other modes of transportation besides cars (bicycles, walking, planes or trains for long-distance travel).

Another is repowering of businesses. Some utilities are “repowering” coal plants to run on cleaner natural gas or biomass; nearly 50 units are slated for retrofits in the U.S. alone. “Repowering” is an industry term, but the concept also applies to trucks, buildings, and land. For businesses loath to see valuable assets become obsolete, it’s a no-brainer. 

In addition, cities may need to begin building smart streets, green buildings, and using sustainable water management. Nations may need to begin working with offshore energy, carbon capture and storage, and reforestation. And the world may need to work on removal of carbon dioxide, managing stratospheric aerosols, launching sunshades into space, and marine cloud seeding.

NASA is currently developing the Earth System Observatory (ESO). The core of ESO is five satellite missions that will provide essential data on climate change, severe weather, natural hazards, wildfires, and global food production.

These observations will address the most pressing questions about our changing planet identified in the 2017 Earth Science Decadal Survey conducted by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. The missions will focus on five areas:

• Aerosols
• Clouds, convection, and precipitation
• Surface biology and geology
• Water and ice mass change
• Surface deformation and change

Based on the Academies’ recommendations, NASA will complement the core missions with innovative Earth Explorer missions that deliver additional high-priority observations.

Beginning with NASA’s original missions, the agency has been focused on learning more about the world around us, whether at the edge of the solar system or right here at home. As Earth changes, NASA is working toward an ever-improving understanding of our home planet.

I’m sure each of you is good at something, but despite that, it’s my opinion that you’re best off finding something else you’re good at, something that would be more profitable for you in the future. For instance, I was good at spelling, grammar, punctuation, and all forms of writing and editing. So I wanted to become a writer. However, it was made clear to me early on that very few writers ever earn more than a living wage in their lifetimes. An alternative was to be an English teacher, until I learned how little teachers make. And an editor may or may not do well; it seems to be a hit-or-miss kind of occupation. So I had to rethink what I wanted.

Another thing I wanted to do was fashion design. I loved looking at fashion, thinking about fashion, drawing fashionable clothes for my dolls and then just to design them, but I really knew I was nowhere near good enough to compete, so I gave up that idea myself.

I also wanted to be a singer. I did have a good singing voice, but I read enough biographies to know that any kind of performing took a great deal out of the performer – it was hard work, trying, difficult, challenging – all those words that made one think. So I didn’t pursue that.

My final idea was to be a research psychologist. I loved research, and I enjoyed understanding psychology. But my problem was that this kind of occupation required an extensive college education, and my family were not prepared to provide that.

One thing that my English, grammar, editing and writing skills did prepare me for was administrative work. It did not seem at all interesting to me; I imagined it as running around doing errands, and being at the beck and call of an authoritative boss. Well, that does happen, certainly. But if you choose your bosses carefully, it doesn’t have to be that way. And it can be a stepping stone to a more profitable occupation.

Secretaries often either marry their bosses, or get promoted. And sometimes, a promotion leads to another promotion, and then to another, and another, etc., and you’re a manager or executive yourself. But you may not want to be an executive or boss. What then?

From there you might go into business for yourself, doing consulting for the kind of business that promoted you. Or you might become a trainer (which is different from a teacher, as training pays much better). Or you might do what I did: take on an additional responsibility that attracts, become very good at that so you’re promoted (even laterally) into a position that involves that work, and then continue to take on new responsibilities until you’re the expert in the company, someone everyone turns to, and it eventually pays well to have so many responsibilities.

And then, when you retire, you can do exactly what you wanted to do in the first place. Now that I don’t have to rely on my writing for an income, I’m a novelist, having written and published ten books. And my hobbies include drawing, designing jewelry, and something else I’ve collected along the way – an interest in anthropology, and a little education in real estate appraisal, graphology, and astrology.

Just saw the doctor and he heard some fluid in one lung so he sent me for an X-ray. I’ll have to let you know what the result is when I hear from him. He also wants me to exercise for 30 minutes twice every day! As if!

I will try, though. And he wants me to walk for about 20 yards and then rest, then walk for another 20 yards, rest, turn and come back the same way, every day. What an optimist.

I have some neuropathy in my legs, and I was concerned that it may progress to my arms, but so far it hasn’t. He thought as long as I do those exercises, and eat more healthy foods (low in sodium), it shouldn’t progress much further than it has already.

He said I have three compressed discs in my spine: two lumbar and one (whatever the neck bones are), plus arthritis in the spine. All this is causing me to become one of those old ladies hunched over her walker – and that, too, may improve with exercise. I think he’s obsessed.

Anyway, I also need to get some bloodwork, but of course the Quest Dx stores have no appointments to give, so I don’t know how long it’ll be before I can get that done.

So, if anyone is interested in my so-called health, there it is. I’ll have to let you know in a month or two if all my ailments are improving because of whatever exercise I’m able to do. Meanwhile, I have heard back from the doctor; the X-ray showed nothing but the doctor’s diagnosis. <shrug>

I’ve been working on a new book that I hope will intrigue some of you. It’s actually an update of a story I wanted to tell about my mother, who came to Detroit from her home on a farm in Lincoln Park, Michigan, in 1935. She was very shy and inexperienced, and I started out just to show what happens to a young woman in the big city during the Great Depression.

The story morphed from that into a romance, and then into a combination romance-thriller, and that’s the story I’m working on now. Here is an excerpt from the first chapter. I’m hoping to get it published by a traditional publishing company, but that may not happen and I may have to go the self-published route.

SNATCHED

I never could have guessed what was in store for me, both terrifying and wonderful, when I arrived at my cousin’s house in Detroit in the middle of what they weren’t yet calling The Great Depression.

I recalled what had happened when my cousin Carol came to the farm to ask for my help. She wore a colorful cast on her broken arm, as if to proclaim her injury.

“Aunt Pearl,” she said to Mama as the kitchen doors swung shut behind her, “I’m here to ask your permission to move Kat in with me and Jack, at least for the summer. You know, we love that big house Jack inherited, but it needs a lot of work. With my broken arm, I just haven’t been able to do much, and Kat would be such a help. We have a nice bedroom just for her, with its own bathroom, and the neighborhood is very quiet. She could help me with the gardening, babysitting for Edgar and Marcy, and she’d be a great help to Jack while he remodels the house. You know how good Kat is with plumbing, and she could even learn to crochet.”

“Crochet?” Mama’s voice seemed to shake a little; she was never very articulate. “But Carol, she’s so young.”

Carol said soothingly, “I know, Aunt Pearl. Kat’s only seventeen, and she’s never been anywhere but downtown Vassar. But she wants to travel, and she loves to learn. This would really be good for her.”

Mama said, “You want to take my baby to Detroit? But it’s terrifying in the city! With the depression and all? It’s only been six years since Black Tuesday, and I’ve heard on the radio that there are starving and desperate homeless people in the cities. I’m sure her father would agree that Kat should stay here on the farm, where we grow enough food to feed ourselves, and we can keep her safe. I’m sure she thinks so, too.”

Carol’s voice was strong and assured; I could visualize her nodding and smiling. She’d always been able to get around Mama. “Yes, Aunt Pearl, she’d be safe here, and healthy. But I don’t think she wants to stay on the farm. And you and Uncle Dan don’t really need her here, with Esther, Stella, and the boys. It would be an adventure for her to come to Detroit. Every girl needs some adventure in her life, doesn’t she?”

“Well, but . . . my baby isn’t strong, you know. She’s fragile, and I’m afraid she’d be too frightened, even with you and Jack to protect her.”

My older sister Mary-Ann, visiting Mama with her husband Vic, arrived at the back door just then and, knowing why Carol was here, joined her voice to Carol’s. Mama just couldn’t resist the two of them.

Listening behind the swinging kitchen door, I couldn’t tell if Mama was being swayed by Carol’s arguments, and it was almost time for Dad to come in for lunch.  I nibbled on my fingertips and held my breath – it wasn’t going at all well. Mama didn’t want to risk her baby. But I really, really wanted the risk; how else would I get over my fears, learn how the world worked?  It was good to know that Mama felt so protective of me, but I knew that I must get away from all that security. Sometimes I really felt smothered. Carol wouldn’t hover, like Mama and my sisters did.

 

I hope you like it, and I’m working to get it done in the next few months.