In the Loop: May 2023
Forces of Nature
Camping, hiking, cycling, swimming, rock climbing, sailing, gardening, rafting, walking your dog: there is no limit to the things you can do when you go outside. Sure, a spider might look at you (gross!), but spending time in green spaces has been proven to relieve stress, sharpen creativity, increase longevity, improve memory, strengthen immunity, and sharpen your focus. So get out there already (then get back to writing, please).
But first, an important question:
How do you keep your sleeping bag from getting stretched out?
A: Don’t sleep too long in it!
Editing Q & A: Did You Know?
On first appearance, Latin names of species of plants and animals are italicized and written in full. Each binomial contains a genus name, which is capitalized, and a species name, which is lowercased (even if it is a proper adjective). Divisions higher than genus—phylum, class, order, and family—are capitalized but not italicized. After the first use, the genus name may be abbreviated to a single capital letter.
Ursus arctos horribilis (grizzly bear)
Marmota monax (groundhog)
Branta canadensis (Canada goose)
Paeonia officinalis (peony)
Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy)
Coffea arabica (coffee)
Some plant hybrids are indicated by a multiplication sign immediately between the terms.
Tulipa × gesneriana
Get Outside and Play(list)
What's the Diff?
There are a lot of sneaky words out there—words with similar spellings, similar sounds, or just similar vibes. Here’s the lowdown on some of those commonly swapped-by-accident words.
Poisonous (adj.): Something is poisonous if it causes harm, injury, or death if it is absorbed or injected. Some mushrooms are poisonous, for example.
Venomous (adj.): Something is venomous if it is capable of injecting a toxic substance into you. Some snakes are venomous, for example.
Basically, if you bite something and you get sick, it was poisonous. However, if something bites you and you get sick, it was venomous.
Cool Guide
Stuff We Like
Have you seen the National Park Service’s Instagram account? It’s a hoot!
The guys behind Men with the Pot can make drool-worthy meals in the middle of the woods. And they have a cute dog!
Awwwww! A tiny hedgehog goes camping.
Why aren’t you listening to the outdoor podcast, The Dirtbag Diaries?
The trick to setting up a good campsite is to get out of the way and let someone else do it.
The founder of Patagonia has given away his multibillion-dollar company in an effort to fight climate change.
Hiking with Kevin is a show that includes breathtaking canyon views and breathless celebrities.
Be prepared! Tips for surviving in the wilderness for adjunct writing instructors.
Joan As Police Woman performs a beautiful musical version of Emily Dickinson’s “Bloom.”
Robert MacFarlane has been collecting little-known place-words from around the world.
Seasonal allergies are coming for you (even if they didn’t before) thanks to climate change.
Take a hike! Forest bathing is good for your health.
This photo essay by Alex Flemings captures the beauty of camping in British Columbia.
Solo camping: some people kinda like it (but Fran Lebowitz is not one of those people).
He’s got a heart as big as his feet (or not, who knows?): Bigfoot and pop culture.
Mental Floss has compiled a list of “hidden gem” national parks and a list of truly bonkers places to take a hike.
Pay It Forward: Meet Marlowe Beckett
Marlowe Beckett is a fourth grade student and our youngest guest blogger (so far). She is an animal lover, outdoor enthusiast, and climate activist. She is the driving force behind this month's newsletter theme (she was rather insistent and kinda forced us to do it).
If you give her a chance, Marlowe will happily tell you why Earth is a planet worth saving. She spends as much time as possible outside, even though she is a mosquito magnet.
Click over to the blog, where Marlowe shares some of her thoughts on dandelions and the great outdoors.
