Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Winter Morning with Crow

photo©trryan 2004 - Santa Fe, NM

I am the weary winter traveler this week - finding it hard to post with a lap top - in my lap in one of many airport terminal layovers. In the last nine days I have crossed the continent from end to end four times. I am finally on my way home.

In these long journeys over short days I have landed and taken off in every kind of imaginable winter weather: snow, fog, rain, sleet, wind, and record-breaking heat. These winter weather patterns are certainly not remarkable with the exception that not one occurred in a place that it was expected or even normal.

In the face of global warming - the inveterate traveler can no longer pack according to geography and decades of proven weather data. Suitcases now bulge with an assortment of jackets, summer linen, scarves, sandals, and boots as if one was packing not to go just round the world - but up and down it. Longitudes and latitudes are no longer measurable degrees of expected weather.

There is something about traveling perpetually aloft at 30,000 feet that seems to have given me the vision of a birds-eye view this week, if you will, and it is ever-more startling to witness how wacky the weather has gotten; winter landscapes seen from above defy logic.

What this weather and these views from above don't defy is basic ordinary smarts -- and I remain evermore dumbfounded and amazed at our fellow citizens and neighbors who arrogantly scoff at all the conclusive evidence of how our hand is not only shaping the weather but the immediate future of our planet.

The emperor is still not wearing clothes.


13 comments:

Julie Zickefoose said...

Sleep, Tim. Sleep. The world will still be here when you wake up.

Autumn said...

People, some people, are innately selfish. To acknowledge that they are part of the problem, or even that there is a problem, means they will have to sacrifice something. Because they are selfish.. they refuse to see the truth.
Sad and sickening, I refuse to lose hope in all humanity. For my sons sake I must believe that people can change. His future and the future of our planet depends on it.
I hope you get some rest and can relax at home. Enjoy the earth beneath your feet.

TR Ryan said...

Beautifully put Autumn, thanks.

Lana Gramlich said...

I love the contrast of the black & white in this photo. Glad to hear you're homeward bound. Enjoy. :)

Mary said...

Oh, TR, exhaustion, exhaustion. The weather is extreme and unpredictable. Wears one down. Drag those bulging suitcases inside and collapse.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

OMG--I've interrupted the same wavelength!

It must be very stressful to be so often away from your home, but as you mention, by so doing, you gain a perspective and appreciation not always visible with your feet on the ground.

I ditto Autumn's comments!!!

Anonymous said...

There are people thinking about it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/science/earth/29habi.html?ex=1202274000&en=6aa2d18e74a83426&ei=5070&emc=eta1

TR Ryan said...

Thank you James. A little tlc from the TNC!

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

I love the photo of the crow.
I hope to travel the world from end to end someday. That would be awesome. I have a gypsy heart. xoxo Nita

Anonymous said...

Sleep well when you return home. To see that crow amidst the snow is a treat indeed.

Crayons said...

TR
This is an eloquent response to the, yes, arrogant (read "frightened") response of the shrill naysayers.

Like Autumn, I have faith, but a tenuous one.

I'm glad you are going to rest.

MojoMan said...

OK, forgive me T.R., but whining about global warming in the same post as one is whining about the personal discomforts of four trans-continental jet trips (with associated carbon footprint)in nine days just seems wrong.

We are all part of the problem, and we can't all always do the right thing (even if we knew what the right thing was), but at least we can try to get real about our role in things. Maybe the emperor needs to fly a little higher next time.

TR Ryan said...

ouch

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