In this weeks Water Closet, Pike writes about the life and passing of Nelson Mandela. Although so much has already been written and said in the media about Nelson Mandela, Pike offers one more insight into the character and wisdom of the man by reminding us of how he championed education and science in South Africa which ultimately will be the determining factor in the ability of the country to raise the standard of living and the quality of life for the people.
Contributor to the Water Closet Art McKee from the other side of the continent has sent us another good story about how to raise kids as well as viewing wildlife from a vantage point that doesn’t intimidate. Alas, our Ipswich doesn’t tumble as clearly to the sea. Its sluggish somewhat turbid water drops on an average one-foot in 2000.
In this week’s Water Closet, Pike writes about his memories as an eight year old boy of that fateful day on Dec 7, 1941 when the United States was attacked by the Empire of Japan and of the ensuing war which was fought and won by the Greatest Generation. Those that have a living memory of that time are fast dying so it is important to chronicle their memories and particularly interesting to see how an eight year old boy viewed those momentous events.
A very appropriate Water Closet to print on the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In this weeks Water Closet, Pike writes about the Atlantic White Cedars which are fast disappearing from the Middleton landscape. Their demise has been primarily the result of drowning from the rising water behind man made dams and beaver impoundments. Readers might be interested to learn that these cedars are the exclusive home to the Hessel’s Hairstreak butterfly. Also, the decay resistant cedars once fallen can be preserved by the acidic peaty swamp water in which they lie and have in some cases been mined decades later for their timber. Its an interesting story that reflects the cycle of life in ways that we don’t ordinarily think of.