Author Archives: Shawn E. Bell

Nemophilist

A nemophilist is a person who loves or is fond of forests, woods, or woodland scenery. The term derives from the Greek words “nemos,” meaning grove, and “philos,” meaning affection or love, describing someone who takes great pleasure in being among trees and in natural wooded environments.

Nemophilists are individuals who find profound joy and solace in the embrace of forests and wooded landscapes. They are drawn to the tranquil beauty and serenity of these natural environments, often seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of modern life. For a nemophilist, the rustling of leaves, the scent of earth, and the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy are sources of deep contentment and inspiration. This affinity for the woods goes beyond mere appreciation; it is a heartfelt connection to the natural world that rejuvenates their spirit and fosters a sense of peace and belonging.

California officials take down aggressive mountain lion in Orange County

 

On March 30th Mission Viejo resident Madison Smith and her two children were out for an afternoon walk on Borrego Trail when a mountain lion began acting aggressively towards them. The big cat stalked the group and came within about 6 feet of her 5-year-old son, which is easy pouncing distance for a full-sized mountain lion.

Luckily, there was another hiker on the trail who began shouting at the lion and throwing rocks at it. This allowed the family to get away.

After a call to 911, Orange County Sheriff deputies and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden located the big 1-year old, 60-lb mountain lion some bushes just a few feet off Borrego Trail at about 5 p.m. Sunday. According to reports, they attempted to scare the animal away, but the big cat wasn’t in the mood. It began acting aggressively towards the officers, showing no fear whatsoever. The DFW game warden was forced to put the animal down.

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First Camp NaNoWriMo of the year kicks off on April 1st…

2014CampNanoParticipant…and i’m nowhere to be found.

It’s been a hectic end of March, and I’ve been working hard to finish up some projects and clear my table for the NEXT big project – getting a film made this year.

Life can be complicated.  But, as I remind other writers constantly, if you want to be an AUTHOR you have to WRITE.  You have to write every day without fail.  Even if it’s only a few thousand words, you have to write.  Your passion for putting pixel to screen or ink to paper has to consume you completely.

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Become a volunteer with California State Parks and help make a difference!

The California State Parks are looking for volunteers!  From their brochure:

In addition to ongoing opportunities in parks, one-day events are scheduled for Earth Day and Trail Days in the spring and Coastal Cleanup Day in the fall. These days offer great opportunities to spend time with your family or to make new friends as you get out and help make a difference. In many parks, annual and special events take place to celebrate our resources while teaching visitors about the wonders of nature and history. Join us—be part of what makes California so extraordinarily unique and wonderful!

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Anza-Borrego, a Park Dealing With a Drought on Top of a Drought

Lisa Morehouse has posted a great article about the Anza Borrego Desert State Park over at KQED.org‘s website. From the post:

A desert is, by definition, dry. But even a desert can have a drought, complete with impacts for native flora and fauna on the one hand and for the humans who live and visit on the other.Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s biggest state park by far, is in the third straight year of drier-than-usual weather. The long dry spell has had a visible impact. The lack of rain has muted Anza-Borrego’s wildflower bloom, the one event every year that brings a crowd of visitors to the community of Borrego Springs and other desert destinations.

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