This New England

-- Saquish, by Dorothy Simpson Krause

(UV cured flatbed print on brushed aluminum, diptych.)

This is part of Ms. Krause's impressive show, "Losing Ground,'' through May 31, at the South Shore Art Center, in Cohasset, Mass.

Her work in the show focuses on the effects of human-population increase and global warming on the world's health.

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There are increasing reports of mountain lions moving into southern New England.

We heard reports today that these pumas are feasting on the abundance of deer in the heavily forested area along the Connecticut/Rhode Island line.
If your dog or cat goes missing, you might think of this possibility.

As the region's farms have dwindled in number, a lot of land has gone back to woods, and the piles of glacial boulders also provide much good space for the mountain lion to reside in, between outings for meals. Fat family pets would seem to be particularly alluring.

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One other unsettling note, if the seemingly healthy return of pumas to New England can be said to be unsettling. (Balance of nature, with carnivores keeping the population of creatures they eat under control, etc.)

The man who guided President Obama around a museum in Mexico the other week soon thereafter died of a flu-like illness.

New England hasn't had a big outbreak of swine flu yet, but with its cities, international airports, colleges and proximity to New York, it may soon have one. Luckily, the region also has some of the world's finest hospitals and health-care professionals.

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Something that helps make New England New England:

There's a grocery store in Kittery, Maine, that has apparently been in the same family -- the Frisbees -- for 181 years. Whether this is a sign of economic and moral strength, or simply inertia and lack of local dynamism, is up to the reader.

In any case in a country as churning as America, the survival of Frisbee's Market is a phenomenon.

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RIP:

Keith Fleming, a vivid, ingenious and bravely confessional writer, a rigorous editor, a fine musician and a loyal but anxious friend who fought his demons as long as he could.

We honored him outside on Saturday, surrounded by explosive greenery and with the roar of the city in the background, as if reminders of his tumult and energy.

 Tags  Dorothy Simpson Krause Keith Fleming Mountain lions South Shore Arts Center swine flu

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