Book Review - Botanical Curses and Poisons

Title - Botanical Curses and Poisons – The Shadow-Lives of Plants
Author: Fez Inkwright
My Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍
My Review: I loved this book but, as a botanist, I may be a little biased. I honestly never realized how many common garden plants are poisonous. Another interesting fact I learned is, in the past, there were actually people who specialized in poisonous plants who could be hired to kill people you don't like 😮

Description (ChatGPT): Botanical Curses and Poisons by Fez Inkwright is a mischievous romp through the dark side of the plant world, where every rose has its thorn—and it might just kill you. This book is equal parts botanical guide and gothic fairy tale, revealing the lethal potential lurking in your garden. From ancient curses to poisonings, Inkwright paints plants as cunning characters in their own right, with a flair for the dramatic and the deadly. It’s like your favorite herbalist had a bit too much to drink and started whispering about the deadly secrets of dandelions and the murderous tendencies of mistletoe. A charmingly sinister read for anyone who has ever wondered if their houseplants were plotting something more nefarious. Who knew flora could be so fabulous—and fatal?

Hike - Catherine Creek, Columbia River Gorge, Washington

Trailhead

The Catherine Creek Arch loop trail is one of my all-time favorite springtime Columbia River Gorge hikes. It’s a relatively easy hike with beautiful views of the Columbia River Gorge and Mt Hood in the distance on clear days.

Buddy

On this day (May 7, 2024), it was partly cloudy and clouds hid Mt. Hood but the views were still spectacular. We saw lots of wildflowers including bitterroot, arrowleaf balsamroot, triteleia, lupine, lomatium and others.

Looking south

Things seemed a bit drier than the last time I hiked here (May 3, 2017), which may have limited the number of wildflowers this time. I also think there were more ticks last time. The trail was in good shape, and we had no problems crossing the creek on a make-shift plank. 

Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Catherine Creek Arch

Book Review - The Bedside Baccalaureate

Title - The Bedside Baccalaureate – A Daily Primer to Refresh Your Knowledge

Author: David Rubel

My Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍
My Review: Great book. Also works well as a bathroom reader. 

Description (ChatGPT): The Bedside Baccalaureate is the literary equivalent of a daily vitamin for your brain—minus the unpleasant aftertaste. This charming primer offers a fresh tidbit of knowledge each day, perfect for those who want to sound more sophisticated at dinner parties without actually doing any heavy lifting. From philosophy to science to art, it’s like a mental spa treatment, gently massaging your intellect one bite-sized nugget at a time. It won’t turn you into a Nobel laureate overnight, but it might make you the person everyone turns to for an obscure fact about ancient Greek pottery. A delightful companion for the curious mind—because who doesn’t want to be casually brilliant before their morning coffee?