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Background
Birthday: January 2
Location:
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa
United States
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa
United States
School:
St. Lawrence University, BS, 1961 Southern Illinois University, MS, 1964 University of Oklahoma, PhD, 1971
St. Lawrence University, BS, 1961 Southern Illinois University, MS, 1964 University of Oklahoma, PhD, 1971
Quote:
"The best things in life aren't things"
"The best things in life aren't things"
Praha Castle
Mah Jongg GardenAbout Me
I grew up in Smithtown, on Long Island, New York. After receiving my BS and MS degrees from St. Lawrence University and Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) respectively, I joined the Peace Corps. I worked as a teacher in Ibadan, Nigeria, West Africa for 2 years in the 60's. My book "African Odyssey", published by iUniverse in 2007 is a recounting of my experiences and exciting adventures in Africa. I received my PhD from the University of Oklahoma in 1971 and then taught for 35 years at a small private liberal arts college in Iowa, where I currently live. I took an early phased retirement, feeling that 35 years of being underpaid, overworked and underappreciated was enough. Though retired from teaching I still do research (studying marine symbiotic relationships between sponges and shrimp). Much of this research is done on the lovely and biodiverse barrier reef of Belize. Closer to home, I manage 30 acres as wildlife sanctuary in the lovely rolling wooded hills of NE Iowa. Each year I plant dozens of native trees, and there is a small hazelnut plantation. To provide habitat for wild critters, especially snakes and amphibians, I build hibernacula, rock piles, and brush piles. Recently I finished constructing a small pond where frogs and salamanders will be able to breed, and within days there were recently hatched tadpoles from gray tree frogs swimming about. I volunteer as a docent at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and also as an English tutor at the Catherine McAuley Center. In addition to my book "African Odyssey" I have published a dozen scientific papers and several poems and essays. I wrote a one-man play "Darwin Remembers" about the life and work of Charles Darwin. I perform this play at colleges and universities, museums, and humanist societies upon request. To date, in 2009 (the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth), I have performed the play in South Bend, Cleveland, Santa Barbara, Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, and Fairbanks, Alaska
Interests:
My interests are varied and eclectic. I enjoy Gardening, alternative energy, and working to promote increased biodiversity and greater sustainability for natural ecosystems, Mother Earth, and its inhabitants --- all species, not just our own. I am an active long distance hiker, and have solo-hiked long distances in many parts of the world. Some favorite hikes include the scenically beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast Path in S. Wales, the Kerry Way in Ireland, and the Devon and Cornish Coast paths in SW England. During my travels I typically stay in low-budget accomodations, such as modest B and B's, youth hostels, or monastaries. I am an avid world traveler, and travel often. I invite you to look at my photos. Favorite destinations include the United Kingdom, Belize, Peru, and the Czech Republic. Some of my trips are linked to my interest in volunteering on Earthwatch Expeditions. To date I have participated in four Earthwatch Expeditions, including a study of parrot fish on the Belizean barrier reef, a study of macaws in the Peruvian Amazon, a study of echidnas on Kangaroo Island, Australia, and a study of basking sharks whilst sailing among the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. All of my Earthwatch Expedtions have been enjoyable and emotionally satisfying experiences. I love theatre and opera, and have been involved in both, most recently singing in the chorus of the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre's production of "Aida"My Photos (64)
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cmgeast says:
c other entry? [pc-erased] c healing-ecology group here [1-hand no typing, need snail]: cristina mann-gleason east denver/drake/isu 430-grand/405 50309-2327 515-210-1054 cmgeast@live.com; c facebook/stumble-upon/d-m register/cnn,... photo
Posted: June 24, 2009 11:07PM EDT
paguristes says:
thank you for commenting (albeit cryptically) on my profile. I hope you're having a good summer there in Des Moines
Posted: July 15, 2009 9:26AM EDT
twistedpickle says:
Floyd, I happily learned a few new things today including a couple of new words, I'm not counting all the latin words. Sessile and chelae, I'm not sure how long I will retain them as I somehow doubt I will get to use them around here, but I did write them down and say them out loud. Old school habits. I actually enjoyed learning about the sponges and hermit crabs. Some of it was too technical for me, but for the most part I found it very interesting. How do sponges propagate? Are there male and female? How I wish I had known about Dog Island while I lived in Florida. I would loved to have seen a live sponge of any kind. Story of my life a dollar short and a day late. I presume that you are the Sandford that redescribed the species in 1996. Wow! I'm impressed. I might never be able to appreciate all the technical information, but I absolutely can appreciate the wonder and the beauty and the infinite varities of life on this planet. You are a fortunate man indeed. You have definately lit a spark that makes it even more imperative for me to continue to grow and learn and experience as much of life as i possibly can. Right now I am going to East Central College which is a 2 year college. I figured I could get all he required courses for a Bachelor's degree over with at ECC then when I enter a 4 yr college I will go in as a junior. I'm still feeling my way around and trying to acclimate myself . I admit I'm still a tadbit afraid as it is definately harder to remember things now that I'm older BUT because I am older I'm hoping I've learned a few tricks to jog my mind. I really do not know in which direction I want to go but I figure something will steer me in the right direction eventually, there are so many different studies, some of which I never thought about so I will try different directions and see what shouts out at me. My kids all think I should do something with writing as I used to write stories for them when they were young BUT I want to expand my horizons. Me
Posted: January 6, 2009 6:38PM EST
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