Aspect, Climate and Philosophy.
Posted: Monday, 05 February 2007 |
I enjoy standing at my livingroom window. It is large, and I can take in a wide perspective. I can see beyond the little bay close by into the distance, beyond the nearest village, to the many headlands and the rocky hillocks, plus the many hues as the sun and clouds change in depth and intensity.
In these last few days this whole aspect has been exceedingly pleasing due to the change in the weather and the appearance of abundant sunshine. I can honestly say that from the middle of October, the situation was completely different : hardly any sunshine; wind blowing from every direction across the island and ofcourse abundant rain. It would require a vivid imigination to see an alluring beauty in all of this.
Lately, I happened to read an article on a 19th century writer and philosopher, in America, who is said to have been the father of TRANSCEDENTALISM, basically the spiritual relationship between man and nature. I am wondering if to - days views regarding our natural elements would comply with how he saw them, well nigh two hundred years ago.
Well, there was no word of Global Warming the earth's atmosphere hadn't yet been assailed with various pollutants that have since found their way beyond the clouds.
The scientists say now, pretty definately, that mankind is indeed responsible for the present day's problem and not a natural phenomenon. But in spite of this I'm sure that more spiritual connections with nature remain for us.
In these last few days this whole aspect has been exceedingly pleasing due to the change in the weather and the appearance of abundant sunshine. I can honestly say that from the middle of October, the situation was completely different : hardly any sunshine; wind blowing from every direction across the island and ofcourse abundant rain. It would require a vivid imigination to see an alluring beauty in all of this.
Lately, I happened to read an article on a 19th century writer and philosopher, in America, who is said to have been the father of TRANSCEDENTALISM, basically the spiritual relationship between man and nature. I am wondering if to - days views regarding our natural elements would comply with how he saw them, well nigh two hundred years ago.
Well, there was no word of Global Warming the earth's atmosphere hadn't yet been assailed with various pollutants that have since found their way beyond the clouds.
The scientists say now, pretty definately, that mankind is indeed responsible for the present day's problem and not a natural phenomenon. But in spite of this I'm sure that more spiritual connections with nature remain for us.
Posted on Island Wanderer at 01:09
A question of pollution...???
Posted: Thursday, 08 February 2007 |
We are quite used to hearing about pollution these latter days; but I remember as a young lad, how on cold windy days, in February, as the wind persisted from the east or south east for days, the smog of Glasgow darkened the skies over Tiree. After a few days the sheeps' wool would become dark in appearance. Since the advent of smokless zones, this no longer happens. It all goes to show how a situation can change over a number of years.
Heather is not a problem in Tiree so we didn't have to burn it; but I can well remember the Febuary burnings in other islands and the mainland to the east of us and how we could see the fires at night, while the smoke and the smell wafted towards where we were.The air was then filled a beautiful peaty odour that was welcome rather than abhorred. Part of the highland crofting way of life, possibly.
These rather unusual happenings now-a-days would surely be deemed to be pollution and be prohibited as unsound. But heather burning in days gone bye was considered a necessity, simply to let new grass develop. Just like so many other traditional activities we don't see it any longer. Anyway, The wellbeing of the world is upper most in our minds now.
Heather is not a problem in Tiree so we didn't have to burn it; but I can well remember the Febuary burnings in other islands and the mainland to the east of us and how we could see the fires at night, while the smoke and the smell wafted towards where we were.The air was then filled a beautiful peaty odour that was welcome rather than abhorred. Part of the highland crofting way of life, possibly.
These rather unusual happenings now-a-days would surely be deemed to be pollution and be prohibited as unsound. But heather burning in days gone bye was considered a necessity, simply to let new grass develop. Just like so many other traditional activities we don't see it any longer. Anyway, The wellbeing of the world is upper most in our minds now.
Posted on Island Wanderer at 00:48