The “surreal” images from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan should remind us that the devastation caused by a nuclear weapon would be unimaginable. Unfortunately, the use of such a weapon is not unthinkable. One of the least attractive parts of the Tea Party suggestions for slashing the size of government was reducing the funds for assisting with the control of nuclear weapons material around the world.
The world has adopted a Japanese word, “tsunami,” for what used to be called, inaccurately, a “tidal wave.” There are tidal waves, such as the tidal bore that races up the Severn River in Britain (nifty videos exist), but the length of the wave is much shorter. No one surfs on a tsunami. It’s more like the storm surge of a hurricane.
Now the world needs to adopt Japan.
I wish I knew more languages, and one of the languages I’d like most to learn is crow. Not Crow Indian, but the language used by the troupe of hundreds of crows who arrive in Middlebury en masse every spring—quite the sight if you happen to be outdoors when they arrive—and after much talking divide up the town between different groups. In the fall, they regroup and have another long discussion, which I suspect has to do with which ones will stay behind and keep an eye on things through the winter.
Today, the last day in March, a lone crow flew east to west overhead, from the outskirts of Middlebury toward the center, calling in a way that made me think of the French and Spanish rolling their r’s—not a simple caw, but a distinctive call I’d never heard before. He or she would make it four times, all the while flying toward where the sun would set, then after a break would do it four more times, then four again. No other crows in sight or within hearing range. Maybe it knew something about the snowstorm due to arrive with April.
I will have more to say about this, but after spending the fall in frustration and desperation at being unable to lose the weight I gained while recovering from two total hip replacements, I have now lost 25 pounds, from my peak weight, by following the principles of physician and nutritional researcher Dr. Joel Fuhrman. My sleep clinic doctor had recommended his “Eat to Live,” saying he’d lost 15 pounds in a month by following Fuhrman’s advice. I was skeptical, but ordered the book, digested it, and lost 15 pounds in the first month. This isn’t some fad diet, and he doesn’t neglect to emphasize the importance of exercising. So don’t give up—there’s hope yet.