Lonesome George.

Sad news in the conservation world last week. Lonesome George, the last of the Pinta Island subspecies of Galapagos Tortoise died. Named because he was the last confirmed member of his subspecies, scientists had been trying for years to find a female Pinta Island tortoise for him to mate with, and when that proved fruitless, they attempted mating him with other Galapagos tortoise species. While George did eventually take to some of the ladies, the eggs were sterile.

Galapagos tortoises were among the animals observed by Charles Darwin to have adaptations that allowed them to be uncannily suited to their particular habitat. (Another being the more famous Darwin finches). The tortoises on each of the Galapagos islands all descended from a common ancestor, but evolved slightly different body structures and shell shapes to allow them to best survive on their particular island.

Tortoise populations were decimated when early explorers learned they could take the reptiles on their ships for long voyages because the tortoises can survive on little food and water, and aren't fast enough to escape pursuing sailors.

Lonesome George was an icon for conservationists everywhere, and a symbol of the devastating impact humans can have on the other creatures we share the planet with. At 100 years old, Lonesome George was different from other animals of species who go extinct- we didn't just learn of it, we struggled to stop it, but had to stand by, helpless, and watch it happen.

From here.

Herbs.

I was gifted a glorious herb bouquet for my birthday from my dear friend Lindsey. Unfortunately, this week has been hella busy, and to my great regret they have been sitting in the fridge, doing nothing. Since I am going out of town until next week (wedding time! Cupcakes are done!) I decided to turn them into a herb butter to make them a bit easier to use and save...

Best. Idea. Ever.

So tasty and so easy! Simply chop, mash into the butter, roll the butter into a log in plastic wrap and chill. Voila!

Trust me. It tastes better than it looks.

Milestones.

This week has been pretty crazy. And full of milestones.

My little car (inherited from Grandma) finally reached 100 000 km. In it's 20th year.

Finished my first full (almost) year of teaching in my own classroom! (Kinda... it still counts, right?)

Goofy card from a coworker.

Also turned a quarter century this week. (Half way to fifty!) Most exciting was this gift...

Annnd we are back to the rotation problems. I will work on it.

No longer dependent on the Magic Bullet for my blending needs!

(All pictures are from my phone. Apologies for their shoddiness.)

Clean.

Spent the last week cleaning the classroom and redecorating before my exams run and I'm up to my eyeballs in marking.

Looks good!

Unwinding.

After a crazy busy last week of classes, (exam week starts Monday) it's nice to be out at the lake for Father's Day weekend.

Beautiful weather, very few bugs, good food and friends... Just what I need to help me unwind.

Weddings. Again.

It's wedding season. Again! Last weekend, Jen and Ben got married! Unfortunately, it was the same day that Nav and Ryan got married. AND the same day as grad. If only I could have been in more places at once!

Beautiful day for a wedding. The ceremony was simple but lovely, the groom and groomsmen were dressed in 40's get ups (so cool!), and there was a hella wicked dance party to end the evening. Whoot!

June.

Holy cats. Yes. 6 more days until classes are done. Bring on exam week, PLEASE.

From Hey Girl: Teacher

Super Powers.

From here.

I have been reading Bill Bryson's very entertaining memoir The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid.  It is his account of growing up in America in the 1950's, and truly a fun read.

Bryson ties his narrative together by recalling a childhood fantasy (very reminiscent of the Superman origin) of finding a moth-eaten sweater with a lightning bolt on the front, which was clear evidence that his parents are not really his parents, and he must have come from another planet and have superpowers of his own.

Many of the chapters end with Bryson claiming to have used his powers to achieve some end.

"All heroes of the day had particular specialties. Superman fought for truth, justice and the American way. Roy Rogers went almost exclusively for Communist agents who were scheming to poison the water supply or otherwise disrupt and insult the American way of life. Zorro tormented an oafish fellow named Sergeant Garcia for obscure but apparently sound reasons. The Lone Ranger fought for law and order in the early West. I killed morons. Still do."

I envy your powers, Mr Bryson. And would highly recommend this book.

Punching my way through space. Obviously.