Tales From the Quarter

Book it!

March 10|11|12 2022

THE NEW ORLEANS BOOK FESTIVAL will bring the world’s leading authors to TULANE UNIVERSITY’S uptown campus for a multi-day celebration! This FREE festival will provide an opportunity for authors and readers to interact with each other in one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in the world. Be sure to join us for FAMILY DAY at the fest on SATURDAY, MARCH 12! Visit bookfest. tulane.edu for the full 2022 author lineup and updates!

bookfest.tulane.edu @nolabookfest

Spring Fest

Springtime means many things to many people. For us folks living in Louisiana, and especially in New Orleans, it means festivals, festivals, and more festivals. The pandemic has tried to disrupt our festivals but we still persist in celebrating in the name of such events. And we have done this with verve and imagination and will continue this form of improvisation when and where needed. And while much attention is focused on our various galas that honor, exploit, observe, and rejoice in the arts, music, and the foods of this region, there is one thing that is constant regardless of epidemics and economics—Nature.

Springtime is Nature’s big event—her giant festival of the year. This is when things really start popping. Fish and flora kick up their heels and truly swing. And it’s my time to attempt to really bond with Nature and, if I take just a wee bit of energy and patience, I can be present for the magic show she presents. Everyone can attend this festival and most anyone can co-host this celebration.

To co-host, we must first show respect. Think of Nature as the Madam President. To serve at her pleasure, you take it seriously. If this analogy doesn’t suit, then just remember Mother Nature is truly your mom, and you darn well better behave. So as you prepare to make your yard a delight for all to see, you had best educate yourself first. Tending to Nature requires thoughtfulness and a bit of research (actually, it is quite easy).

To begin, remove all gasoline powered tools. Yes, that leaf blower is downright deadly. The side effects of a gasolinepowered leaf blower are carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, hydrocarbon—all contribute to cancer and the climate warming. Another thing about gasoline-powered leaf blowers: They emit 80 to 85 decibels with some models up to 112 decibels and those producing 100-plus equal the same noise as a plane taking off (levels that could cause tinnitus and hearing loss over time). Another issue is the dust, debris, and detritus (animal feces, chemicals, mold, etc.) that becomes airborne when in use. So why not just get off your lard-ass and sweep or rake? I know my lard-ass could use the exercise.

Pesticides and herbicides are poisons— need I say more? Yes, that’s right. That popular (meaning almost everybody uses it) chemical glyphosate (used in weed killers) is linked to cancer and research shows it is an endocrine disruptor. So if Little Johnny grows two heads, Little Suzy begins puberty at age four, and you develop the Big C, maybe it’s time to simply pull those weeds by hand or just let ‘em grow and do their job attracting butterflies and bees. And we already know pesticides kill bugs and harm everything in their path. Get out that fly swatter and consider it a muscle building arm workout. Mitigate mosquitoes by making sure standing water in your yard is addressed and wearing natural organic repellents.

When mowing and trimming your lawn, use electric mowers or rechargeable battery powered weed whackers and, if doable, try a push-mower for zero negative impact and for exercise. Also, do not set your blades too low on mowers as those blades become guillotines for small critters like lizards, turtles, and snakes. Before I weed-whack, I take a broom or rake and gently sweep the area before I begin grass cutting as this gives those small critters a chance to move to safety.

Want to create an environment that nurtures bees and butterflies? Just take a moment to research native plants and flowers that attract and feed these incredible creatures that are crucial to our lives. And before spending a lot of money and time on purchasing flora, take a moment to observe those so-called weeds in your yard. I was constantly pulling and land-filling (composting is excellent but not always an option) a “weed” by the name of Virginia Creeper when I realized it was a habitat for bees. The butterflies and lizards also enjoyed darting about them. Frankly it was my cat peering for hours on end through the window at the vines that drew my attention to this bee haven. Of course some plants, be them native wildflowers, greenery, or the fancy store bought varieties, can be poisonous to pets and folks so do a little research and wear gardening gloves when in doubt.

Let’s face it, we humans have totally screwed with all that is natural and Mother Nature is some kinda pissed. It seems she is trying to shake us off like a bad tick—can ya blame her? Floridian manatees are dying in record numbers as you read this because of human interference with their habitat. Pollution has destroyed much of the sea grass crucial to their diet. They are starving. And this is just one of the many things we have done and are still doing. There are not enough pages in this magazine for me to list the abuses our planet is enduring right now from us. So let’s start in our own backyards by limiting groundwater pollution: pet feces, fertilizer, pesticides, and run-off. Let’s make every plot of land or patio plant a nurturing station for bees and butterflies. Plant some milkweed for those monarchs.

If I can only give a safe haven to my dog, cats (also some community cats hungry for food and love), and the creatures that fly and burrow in my yard while striving to become a more eco-friendly and educated consumer, then I can at least enjoy this Festival of Nature with a slightly clearer conscience. Celebrate spring and Nature’s bounty—splendor surrounds us, be it in a patio garden, a park, or a bayou. Tread lightly and open your eyes extra wide as there is magic everywhere.