Category Archives: California Artists

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A Flower for Sylvia Plath

Rain Drenched Tulip

      The tulips are too excitable, it is winter here.
(Excerpt from the poem Tulips by Sylvia Plath )

This rain drenched tulip winters in the garden’s row of spinach and chard.

© 2016, Theresa Mae Funk.  All rights reserved.

 

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Community Supported Agriculture and One Dog Friendly Kitchen

Capay Organic

This month’s Farm Fresh delivery to our door from Capay Organic.  (Dog not included.)

Our monthly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) delivery from Capay Organic’s Farm Fresh to You  produce arrived on Friday.   We initially signed up for the service with a short-term commitment in mind; bridge the deficit that our back yard farming efforts do not provide us so that our nutritional needs could be better met.   Shopping at local grocery store chains for vegetables trucked from the Central Valley is one thing but to buy produce from Canada or Mexico?   I  prefer not to be a part of that economy because it isn’t necessary for us to do so.  We have access to fertile land in a garden I call Eden, otherwise known as California.   What might our world be like if more people were granted access to land to grow their own food and help sustain their communities?

Capay Organic 2

Stella sneaks a lick of the King Richard Leek when she thought I wasn’t looking.

Please support your local farmers.  Plant seeds of your own.  The rewards are worth the effort.

~T.

© 2014, Theresa Mae Funk. All rights reserved.

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Flower Power: A New Alternative Energy

Flower Power: A New Alternative Energy

I paused between harvesting berries and thinning carrots this morning to admire the progress of this volunteer Sunflower’s growth. We plant the beauties along the fence line as a decorative heat deflecting measure and partial shade for our lettuce.
The errant seeds that germinate in random places in our yard are welcomed surprises.

© 2014 Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.

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Something To Write Home About: A New Series of Original Works of Art on Paper

Something To Write Home About: A New Series of Original Works of Art on Paper

The American River is the subject for my ten piece Something To Write Home About art card series. Each card is its own certificate of authenticity, and has been painted with California rain water that I’ve collected this year.
Six of the ten cards already have designated addresses, and the other four will be sent to unsuspecting recipients as a Thank You note for their inspiration and continued support of my artistic endeavors.

© Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.

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Breaking it Down: Backyard Composting and Hip Hop Dogs

Breaking it Down: Backyard Composting and Hip Hop Dogs

UC Davis’ legacy of environmental sustainability is an inspiration to me. In celebration of Earth Day, the University, in collaboration with Sacramento-based CleanWorld, designed and built a 50-ton-per-day anaerobic digester at the University’s old landfill. Bacterial microbes in oxygen-deprived tanks feast on campus and community food and yard waste to help generate renewable electricity. The project is a keen demonstration of what can be achieved when research universities and private industry partner to solve today’s pressing global challenges.

Our 82 gallon black compost bin sits where the fence corners meet. You can see it just above the curve of Stella’s tail.

© 2014 Theresa Funk, all copyrights reserved.

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International Gardening: Russian Sunflowers in an American Garden

International Gardening: Russian Sunflowers in an American Garden

© 2014 Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.

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Vermont’s Connection to a Green California: The Clean Energy States Alliance

California and Vermont seem to be blessed with the largest per-capita population of creative, experienced policy makers and green practitioners in the nation.  A good friend from Vermont coordinated this year’s Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) National Membership Meeting in Sacramento earlier this week, so I was able to connect with her between the events hosted by the California Energy Commission and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.  

 CESA’s mission supports state and local leadership to promote the use of existing and emerging clean energy technologies. The Alliance’s analysis and studies are designed to accelerate clean energy deployment.  They are a nationwide network of leaders at the state and local level working together to catalyze a low-carbon energy economy, and I feel privileged for having the opportunity to be in the presence of such good intended thought leaders. State policies and programs will determine the progress of renewable energy implementation and standards in America.  Did you know that since 1998, $3.4 billion of state clean energy funds support has driven the construction of over 130,000 renewable energy projects representing a total investment of nearly $16 billion? 

 

I’m interested to see these projects continue to succeed and expand in the coming years, and will continue to do my part in supporting the initiatives.

~T.