Life isn't black and white. It's a million gray areas, don't you find? - Ridley Scott
This blog will act as an attempt to chronicle what is sure to be one of the most ridiculously confusing, interesting and wild years I've ever experienced.

By compiling a series of 365 black and white photos and accompanied text you're invited to follow along the ride of an undergraduate student with severe biophilia. This year will mark a year that I leave the continent, graduate from my Bachelors degree, start graduate studies, try to make heads and tails of life and and search for an elusive tiger beetle.

Feel free to post feedback, ask questions, and give suggestions. Hope that your 2013 is looking to be a wonderful, wonderful year.

Monday, March 25, 2013

84. Thinking of family

The last few weeks have me in sort of a funk, that I manage to slip out of each and every day with a little luck. Today I found myself staring at a painting that my father had framed for me. It is a painting done by Aileen Meagher. Aileen was a friend of my late grandmother and grandfather. She was also my fathers landlady, and our family's first dog Pax, was inherited by my father when Aileen passed. Aileen was a school teacher, an accomplished artist, and a decorated Olympian. You can check out a quick overview of her incredible story here at the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.

As I sit here writing this, I'm thinking about tomorrow. I will be fortunate enough to see my father, my mother, and my girlfriend. I am also likely to speak to my brother and sister. I am so incredibly lucky to have such a close family.

Each time I look at this painting, I am reminded of home. I am reminded of my family that loves me, no matter where in the world I happen to be. Dad picked this painting for me, as Aileen painted it while living in Africa. I thought the cut carnation on my table looked a little like the flower in the painting. The painting reminds me a little of flame of the forest trees that I was so fond of when living abroad in Ethiopia.

Lots of love to everyone,
Thanks for following along!

PM

83. Spaghetti Supper

Tonight my roommate Adam and I cooked up a super spaghetti dinner for ourselves, and our lovely guest Sarah Jane. It ended up turning up mighty nice. I think it came from the lovely vegetables we added from the market down the way. The red onion and the mushrooms grown in the Annapolis Valley. Local green pepper isn't available easily in our area, but this one was nice and fresh from a local farm market.

82. Beautiful bark, bees, and beer

Today was the last pub of my undergraduate career. This bar is a place that means a lot to me. It was where I met my girlfriend Sarah Jane, where I purchased my first drink, and where I have met countless new friends. I also had an opportunity to watch some great fourth year projects that my friends have worked tirelessly on. My favourite of the day by my friend Robyn, who spoke on the subject of bumble bees. I was also able to get a nice walk in with Jessica, one of my best friends from university who is currently in veterinary school. I took this neat photo of a cedar hedgerow on campus,   there is just something about this bark that is incredibly beautiful. I love the edges and contours. 

81. First plecopterans of the year!

Today marked my first sighting of plecopteran species scooting around the snow. I was absolutely ecstatic to see these lovely insects outside, and snapped one quickly on the side of my home. This little creature is a stonefly, an insect that lives under the water as an immature. When it becomes an imago, it leaves the water to breed. How neat is this little fella?


 Tonight was also the Athletic Banquet, in which I was incredibly proud to enjoy a great evening with my cross country team-mates, friends, and other athletes! 

80. A.E Roland & spore morning

When I came over to Collins for my independent class, I hadn't realized that my professor wouldn't be around. Instead of having a meeting, I caught up on some e-mailing and some course work. I also happened to notice a very beautiful fern producing spores. In the background, there is a beautiful folk painting done by celebrated Canadian botanist A.E Roland. I thought it was a very appropriate tribute to such a great scientist and teacher.

79. Uranidae

I stumbled across a Uranid cocoon when traveling across campus. I have seen a few around Truro, but this one was the biggest I have seen. These beautiful moths are HUGE and include polyphemus moths, luna moths and my favourite - cercropias! I left it hanging from its nice little twig, and I hope it pays a visit to my Mercury-vapour lamp when I have it up and going later this spring.

78. Virginia Creeper

On my way to class I took a minute to examine the tendrils of a virginia creeper (Partenocissus quinquefolia) climbing up the side of Cox Institute. The tiny little tendrils that cling to the wall were just so perfect, and reminded me a little of a starfish. What a beautiful sight!

I also manged to knock-off a presentation on Echinacea today. I really enjoyed that too, it was fun to talk about such a verstaile and wonderful plant!