Songaia Community
  • Home
  • Our Communities
  • About Us
    • Values
    • Photos
  • Connecting with Us
    • Housing & Participation
    • Contact Us & Email Lists
  • Land
    • Native Forest Garden
    • The Garden >
      • Our Permaculture Approach
      • From Garden To Table
      • People
      • Garden Photos
      • Roses
    • Internships
    • Cob Projects
    • Biogaians >
      • Biogaian Calendar
      • Fruit Tree Data
      • Apple Photos
      • Biogaian Meetings
    • Community Calendar
  • Blog
  • Book
  • Links
  • Members
    • AIC RESOURCES
    • Community Calendar

Spiderpalooza, or Diary of an Arachnophobe - by Eliza Mason

9/16/2016

3 Comments

 
​Lately, I have been under assault from nocturnal arachnids of considerable size. I am not terribly fond of spiders, and have been known to scream expletives after close encounters. Allow me to enlighten you with (and remind myself of) the important and beneficial role of spiders. Here are some fun facts I found on the interwebs:

  1. Spiders are not insects; they are arachnids, like ticks, mites, and scorpions.
  2. All spiders are predators and on average, one spider eats 2000 insects a year. They also eat each other, yum. 
  3. Spider silk is the strongest fiber known; stronger than steel and Kevlar and far more flexible. 
  4. Spiders are extremely numerous, diverse, and ubiquitous; it’s thought that we (humans) are always within 10 ft of at least one spider. 
  5. The giant house spider Eratigena atrica (which is what I believe occupies the cottage’s crevices) is the fastest spider and can run 1.75 ft/sec. Its legspan can achieve lengths of four inches! FOUR INCHES!
  6. Cellar spiders aka daddy long legs aka Pholcus phalangioides eat other spiders, including the giant house spiders! I have found evidence in support of this in the cottage.
Picture
   7.   Jumping spiders are friggin cute. And they can jump up to 50 times their length.
​Here’s a video of the amazing peacock spider.  Jumping Spider Video

Picture
Picture
Spiders are beneficial predators, have cool powers, and generally leave us alone. Yet they induce extreme trepidation in the most unlikely of primates. So why is arachnophobia so widespread (up to 10% of the population, and more common in females)?
 
I don’t know, but at least we can all be entertained by the sheer terror I’ve been experiencing at the cottage. I’ll begin with my first encounter, which began in the bathroom. After taking a shower, I normally blindly reach for the towel, dry off, and then put my glasses on. This time, after I wiped my face off, I noticed two dark blobs on the ground. Curiously, I put my glasses on. Two medium sized spiders that I had interestingly not observed when I went in to the bathroom earlier. I quietly reexamined my towel, dried off, put on my pjs, and proceeded to get the vacuum. I was thoroughly disgusted, but at least I didn’t lose my cool. 

The next night, I went to take a shower again, this time wary of the previous encounter. After detecting no immediate threats, I took a shower with relief. Afterwards, I reached for the towel—then thought twice-- and grabbed my glasses. Ha, what’s the likelihood of another spider ambush, I thought. But I’d better be safe, just in case. I put on my glasses and gave the towel a good shake. To my absolute horror, an oversized, ugly, disproportionate brown spider fell out of the towel and quickly scurried into the corner. I had no recourse but to scream awkwardly and dash out of the bathroom, lacking both towel and clothes. I proceeded to dry off with my bandana, since using the towel again was out of the question. Stacey was fortunately away on her vision quest. 
 
The following nights were plagued by additional sightings in the bathroom and living room. Then it culminated with the emergence of the biggest spider I’ve ever seen from a crack in the ceiling (to the attic). 
Picture
Picture
My stomach lurched and I was paralyzed. While keeping my eyes glued to this nightmarish abomination, I frantically called Laura, who never picked up. Then I called Patricia, who woefully could not be convinced to join operation eradicate massive spider. Instead, she invited me over to stay in the guest room and I was extremely grateful.
 
Later, we responded with a deep cleaning of the cottage followed by liberal spraying of tea tree vinegar, a purported natural remedy to deter spiders. Alas, to no avail, as the following nights I witnessed horrific scenes of spider scurrying, even on the walls above my bed. As my last bastion of safety was compromised (at least psychologically), I decided to temporarily move to Nancy’s couch, which is very comfortable and thankfully spider-free. 
 
Despite the overwhelming evidence that spiders are beneficial creatures, I can’t prevent my immediate feelings of overwhelming disgust and revulsion. And yet I am also fascinated by them! I love to learn about their biology and observe them from a distance.  Once I find them mating on my towel, however, that is an unforgivable sin.

How do you overcome your fears? Some people have advised me to get a spider pet, get hypnotized, and see a therapist. I’m not sure which one I’m more comfortable with.
3 Comments

Rock Dust Experiment Update - by Eliza Mason, Garden Intern 2016

9/11/2016

4 Comments

 
Hello dear readers. Thanks for tuning into my blog. This blog is divided into three sections:​

·         Part 1: updates on the exciting rock dust experiment
·         Part 2: Spiderpalooza
·         Part 3:Tiny progress on tiny farm stay
 
It is my pleasure to firstly reveal the groundbreaking results of our rock dust experiment. I admit, the suspense is overwhelming.

As you recall, we were determined to demonstrate the efficacy of various rock dust concentrations on the growth of radishes. By all accounts, rock dust is an amendment that enhances plant growth. Here is the rest of our story.
 
We planted seeds on August 10. After one week of growth, there was little noticeable difference between the control and the amended containers. After two weeks, we started noticing something unexpected. Several plants in the control group were noticeably larger, while the amended plants’ growth stagnated. “This isn’t good,” said Stacey. After three weeks, the radishes in the control group looked monstrous, while the plants amended with rock dust were puny and weak. This effect was commensurate with rock dust concentration, an indicative sign that our hypothesis was in some way flawed. “Maybe we should switch the control (label) with the highest concentrated sample,” said Jacob, “That would make more sense, and nobody would know.” 
Picture

Picture
I was secretly alarmed by the complete disregard for scientific integrity. I figured a Socratic reply might be most productive. “Wouldn’t that defeat the point of the experiment?” I replied, “And plus, how would other scientists repeat this experiment without utter confusion?” This discussion revealed some of the most important tenets of good science.
 
In graduate school, I learned that a good experiment is hypothesis driven. Without a hypothesis, an experiment does not have direction or purpose. However, we cannot allow our expectations (hypothesis) to cloud our judgement; its whole purpose is to be tested. Both proving and disproving a hypothesis is valuable information. We must be certain to formulate a coherent hypothesis, but must not be biased when interpreting the data.


In addition, a good experiment must be repeatable. Scientific progress relies on building foundations on our knowledge, which itself requires a certain amount of experimental redundancy. This entails proper documentation, logical experimental design, and honesty in interpretation. Without repeatable results, each component of the experiment is questionable, resulting in a waste of time as inconsistencies are examined.
 
With that in mind, let’s get back to our experiment. Clearly, the addition of rock dust was detrimental to the radishes’ growth. Therefore, our hypothesis was not supported by the data and thus we must creatively think of alternative explanations, and of course new hypotheses to test! More data are required to determine and characterize the mechanism of this rock dusts’ effect. I’m also hopeful that other rock dust brands might instead have a beneficial effect; however, we cannot be certain unless we rigorously test them as well (let me know if you decide to do that)!
Some interesting notes I would like to share: It is difficult to speculate why the rock dust would be harmful to plants. Perhaps this rock dust contained too much salts, which can lead to a buildup of damaging osmotic pressure. Or, it was expired rock dust (just kidding, I don't think rocks expire.) I also found it strange that the increased growth in the control group was not uniform. I also noticed that the rightmost container (highest concentration of rock dust) was not draining as efficiently as the others (although there was no noticeable effect on moisture levels later). Unfortunately, it is often impossible to control for every single variable. It is up to the scientist to think deeply about the results and come up with interpretations that fit the data and account for all possibilities!
 
Ultimately, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this product at this time; unless, of course, you are looking for an all-natural geological herbicide. ​​​
Picture
4 Comments

Human Spirit Liquid - by Jacob Sandoval, Garden Intern 2016

9/6/2016

1 Comment

 
Permaculture, community, family and friends. These are all things that I have wrapped my heart and mind around since arriving to Songaia. The plants are beautiful and so are the ever-caring spirits of the members of this community. As each plant has grown upon my stay at Songaia, so has the fullness of my spirit. I originally embarked upon my quest in search of the next stepping-stones of my path and had no idea that I would have reached such a boulder of elevation, allowing me to fully see the possibilities of a better earth.
 
Anything that is imaginable is manageable. That is something I have been aware of as long as I can remember, but I also remember a point that a feeling of hopelessness began to show it’s ugly self. This feeling arose from the idea that one individual cannot change or bring any benefit to the world. And this is a mixture of truth and deep falsehood.
Picture

Picture
This is a not a world of separated individuals, but a world of a collection of individuals. Each individual holds an immense power within him or her self, and this power is not meant to be experienced and actualized alone. We are meant to inspire each other’s power as well as conjoin this collective power to begin a movement of change.

We are all stewing into a pot, with many different flavors. Each flavor is special in its own right, but none is meant to overpower one another, only to compliment one another. Creating one cohesive flavor that nourishes the body and fuels the spirit.  As a worldwide view, I would say as of now that we are all in a boiling state. Fighting for a cohesive flavor, but not quite there yet.
Picture

Picture
​Some want to prove that their flavor is the best, but the truth is, each flavor is as tasty as the next. Some surrender to the boasting flavors, or withhold the power of their own due to either self-consciousness or just being comfortable in what he/she believes they already taste like. Again, not letting the surrounding flavors compliment their own, but allowing them to be overpowered by them. Which is something we truly all must work on to reach a common ground. Embrace each flavor in it’s own powerful merit and trust that we can open heartedly let it become a part of us, as we are all part of each other to begin with.

When this vibrant delicious mix is finally finished in its flavor of oneness that we are meant to be, the consistency is liquid. Flowing freely through the crevasses of the earth. A flood through the mountains, between each rock and each boulder. Not deep waters, just enough to water every tree around us. Whatever is open to the beauty of this flowing human spirit liquid will wade through it and let itself be nourished by it, and whatever is not meant to remain in space in time through this magnificent change will drown, and convert its once thriving energy into something more beneficial. 

​This liquid will become so deliciously vibrant; that it’s taste will be almost like a powerful, unfathomable to the human pallet, tea. It shall be called Communi-Tea. Our individual communities must be conjoined with all other groups and individuals to actualize the fact that we are all one giant community of the earth. We shall drink from each other’s pots, and see how we can conjoin and relate each other’s flavors to become the giant pot that we are meant to be. When we reach the finished cooling state, through the earth we shall flow wide and free. ​​​​
Picture
1 Comment

    Author

    Garden bloggers are community members, volunteers and interns at Songaia.

    Click here to visit our Facebook page. 

    Archives

    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    August 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2020
    March 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    May 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Address, Email, & Announcement Lists:  Click Here

Site Search:

Photo from BioDivLibrary