Did you know that plants talk? They emit sounds of distress when cut or starved for water. You can't hear them, but that's on you, because mice can and moths can, and they choose their plants carefully, going for the healthier, quieter ones. (You can read about it in many places, like for example here-- where you can also listen to the amplified distress calls plants make.)
Ed and I talked about this over breakfast (which was deliciously decadent, as I had done substantial grocery shopping very early this morning, including at Madison Sourdough).
I noted that if we stop eating plants to save them from distress, and if we continue to avoid animals in our diet, we will be left with just water and a very short lifespan.
Such scientific findings are common topics of discussion for us. For example, I told him today about that article in Nature that describes how much your gut microbiome shares stuff with people not only in your family but in your circle of friends. We marveled how little we understand all this today and how complex these issues are. Ed was quick to point out that we also share a significant biome with our cats. Lovely thought, isn't it? Next thing, he'll tell me that the chickens and I also exchange microbes. I mean, I know it's true, but still, maybe we should have picked more selectively who should be in our tight inner circle of microbes? You really want to align yourself with chickens??
It's cold outside, but just a little less so than this whole past week. The subfreezing temperatures have created an early freeze out on the lake waters. For instance, when I drove out to shop this morning, I passed the lesser lake. It's already filling with ice fisher people. Can you see them? I myself would not venture out yet, but I'm sure they know what they're doing.
It was to be a quiet day for me. Sort of catch my breath before the onslaught of craziness, but in fact things did get a little more complicated. For one thing, Ed coaxed me into a bike ride.
Nippy! But good for us. We did our usual 45 minute loop despite the wind!
(A pause by Lake Waubesa: looking pretty ice covered and slippery out there.)
Then, in the early evening, I join the young family and visiting other grandparents for a pizza dinner. They're here for Snowdrop's performance in Great Catherine today. There'll be a lot of mixing and mingling with various sets of grandparents this weekend and next weekend (other shows, birthdays, celebrations) and I have no idea which (if any) can be included (photographically or otherwise) on Ocean. You hate to ask. Or at least I hate to ask. So you have, instead, the usual suspects once again, ready for anything. Ocean photo? Okay!
And now I am home with my own lovely set of microbes sharing Ed's biome in our warm, comfortable home. A winter evening at its best.
