I love being out in nature if I don't have to worry about snakes, bugs, or cold!
As far as being a "nature lover" I would think that as humans we should have an appreciation for nature and what the natural world provides for us. We shouldn't wantonly destroy nature but on the other hand, shouldn't go overboard the other way, assuming that there is no compromise between nature and humans.
This morning I'm enjoying Nilgiri Glendale Handmade brewed in my new Brown Betty teapot.
I consider myself a nature lover. Some of my favorite activities are scuba diving and sheep herding trials, also flat-water kayaking if I have the opportunity. I'm on the board of a herding association, and last weekend I spent my free time in the sheep research barns of Purdue University, learning how to deal with problem lamb deliveries. I also volunteer at my local zoo in the penguin exhibit. That being said, I'm not much into camping and wilderness-type activities, so I guess my love of nature has its limits. 
In case you couldn't guess from my avatar, I do have dogs. Here's a shot of Lyric (the sunglasses-wearing dog) in action. She's competed in herding trials in three different states and is definitely something above and beyond a pet. She's saved my butt on multiple occasions when I've made stupid livestock-handling errors. She's also cross-training in tracking work (i.e., following a person's scent trail) and I'm hoping to get her certified in tracking in the next year.
This morning I'm drinking a freebie sample I received of white strawberry, although I'm not really enjoying it and thinking of switching over to something different.
In case you couldn't guess from my avatar, I do have dogs. Here's a shot of Lyric (the sunglasses-wearing dog) in action. She's competed in herding trials in three different states and is definitely something above and beyond a pet. She's saved my butt on multiple occasions when I've made stupid livestock-handling errors. She's also cross-training in tracking work (i.e., following a person's scent trail) and I'm hoping to get her certified in tracking in the next year.
This morning I'm drinking a freebie sample I received of white strawberry, although I'm not really enjoying it and thinking of switching over to something different.
Hmm, seems I may be in the minority here. I appreciate nature and all it has to offer, but there's not much of it to enjoy over here. I'm a born and bred city girl so things like camping, hiking, and the like do not interest me one bit. I live on LI and have only been to a beach once in the past few years. And it was nighttime! I'm just not an outdoors person. 
I do enjoy anything to do with wildlife though. I've been to Yellowstone and seeing bison 10 feet from the car was amazing!
About to make some earl grey. I need to wake up.
I do enjoy anything to do with wildlife though. I've been to Yellowstone and seeing bison 10 feet from the car was amazing!
About to make some earl grey. I need to wake up.
Feb 22nd, '09, 14:45
Posts: 495
Joined: Jan 31st, '09, 12:41
Location: midwest, Sanibel wannabe
Contact:
Dreamer
Yet another interesting poll topic!!!
I am so enjoying reading all the interesting answers!
I definitely have a great appreciation for all things in nature...I say "appreciation" because that encompasses respect and even fear. For example, I think tigers are fascinating but I don't want to own one...I can study my two cats closely without losing any blood!
My favorite place on Earth is Sanibel Island Florida...Great turtle nesting, wild bird nesting beaches, great restaurants, no stop lights, no street lights, beautiful starry skies...Luckily, I don't have to camp when I'm there (we own a rental condo right on the beach), since "nature" can be pretty much to handle there...alligators, big spiders (not poisonous, just scary), snakes, etc. Hey, I appreciate nature, but let's not get carried away...gotta have a real shower and air conditioning in Florida in the summer time! When I get to be there a walk on the beach every morning reminds us just how powerful nature is and how "temporary" any given state of being is...the beach is very much alive and very different every day in the eyes of those who "appreciate" it.
At home a favorite activity for a sunny afternoon is a walk with our two dogs in the woods near our house...especially fun at a season change. Seeing the changes like new plants popping up or what trees or large branches have fallen since the last visit, again, remind us of the cycle of life and the power of nature. Smelling the scents of the woods...wet dirt smell in spring, spent leaves smell in the fall, the sharp clean smell of new snow seem to nudge some primal area of the brain and tweak long lost memories of when such smells had great meaning and importance vs. just "oh, I love how that smells".
The "aliveness" of the woods and the beach or even just my backyard just seems to need to be appreciated.
Similarly, I think tea my love of tea is about how the flavor and aroma connect to the leaf and thus to the soil, the sun (or shade...I love those shady Japanese greens!), the timing and then the processing to create/maximize the enjoyment of the tea. It is all bound up together in my mind...so that when I sip the tea, I am transformed to some place outside.
Peace,
Dreamer
I am so enjoying reading all the interesting answers!
I definitely have a great appreciation for all things in nature...I say "appreciation" because that encompasses respect and even fear. For example, I think tigers are fascinating but I don't want to own one...I can study my two cats closely without losing any blood!
My favorite place on Earth is Sanibel Island Florida...Great turtle nesting, wild bird nesting beaches, great restaurants, no stop lights, no street lights, beautiful starry skies...Luckily, I don't have to camp when I'm there (we own a rental condo right on the beach), since "nature" can be pretty much to handle there...alligators, big spiders (not poisonous, just scary), snakes, etc. Hey, I appreciate nature, but let's not get carried away...gotta have a real shower and air conditioning in Florida in the summer time! When I get to be there a walk on the beach every morning reminds us just how powerful nature is and how "temporary" any given state of being is...the beach is very much alive and very different every day in the eyes of those who "appreciate" it.
At home a favorite activity for a sunny afternoon is a walk with our two dogs in the woods near our house...especially fun at a season change. Seeing the changes like new plants popping up or what trees or large branches have fallen since the last visit, again, remind us of the cycle of life and the power of nature. Smelling the scents of the woods...wet dirt smell in spring, spent leaves smell in the fall, the sharp clean smell of new snow seem to nudge some primal area of the brain and tweak long lost memories of when such smells had great meaning and importance vs. just "oh, I love how that smells".
The "aliveness" of the woods and the beach or even just my backyard just seems to need to be appreciated.
Similarly, I think tea my love of tea is about how the flavor and aroma connect to the leaf and thus to the soil, the sun (or shade...I love those shady Japanese greens!), the timing and then the processing to create/maximize the enjoyment of the tea. It is all bound up together in my mind...so that when I sip the tea, I am transformed to some place outside.
Peace,
Dreamer
I answered "Yes"... one notch below the emphatic "very much so". I'm a nature lover, but not maybe as gung-ho as others might be... the hold-up for me being a distaste for bugs. So, I love to walk in the woods, but I hate getting covered in deer ticks. I love to go camping, but I hate mosquito bites. I love to garden, but I hate those big green tomato worms.
Many of my favorite places are my favorites by virtue of the geographic variations they offer in nature... mountains, ocean, woods, lakes, rolling green hills. I love watching animals in nature too... as long as I don't have to watch a lion killing a baby gazelle. That's too much nature for me.
I am eagerly anticipating Spring... time to plant veggies and herbs... the morel mushroom season... spring tea harvest... watching everything become green and enjoy the blossoms... it's all good.
For now, this socially-connected, family-oriented, tea-drinking pet lover is sipping some Pussimbig Darjeeling FF while my dog, Gracie, snuggles beside me in her natural habitat, on the back of my sofa. Thanks, Chip... defender of pet lovers.
And thanks everyone for the good wishes yesterday. I'm not as sore as I'd anticipated, but sore enough... and my chin is some lovely shades of black and purple! I am such a klutz.
Sarah
Many of my favorite places are my favorites by virtue of the geographic variations they offer in nature... mountains, ocean, woods, lakes, rolling green hills. I love watching animals in nature too... as long as I don't have to watch a lion killing a baby gazelle. That's too much nature for me.
I am eagerly anticipating Spring... time to plant veggies and herbs... the morel mushroom season... spring tea harvest... watching everything become green and enjoy the blossoms... it's all good.
For now, this socially-connected, family-oriented, tea-drinking pet lover is sipping some Pussimbig Darjeeling FF while my dog, Gracie, snuggles beside me in her natural habitat, on the back of my sofa. Thanks, Chip... defender of pet lovers.
And thanks everyone for the good wishes yesterday. I'm not as sore as I'd anticipated, but sore enough... and my chin is some lovely shades of black and purple! I am such a klutz.
Sarah
***This organic blend is earthy & spicy, with a fragrant aroma & smooth flavor to captivate the senses. Naturally sweetened in the Kentucky sunshine & infused with natural energy. Equally delicious when served piping hot or crisply chilled.***
Re: Sakura Sencha
A little too big for my current taste but I could make an exception.Salsero wrote:It is 175 ml (5.9 oz).olivierco wrote: Nice yunomi! Which size is it?
Jasmine pearls to end the day.
Feb 22nd, '09, 16:22
Posts: 508
Joined: Apr 1st, '08, 12:43
Location: united states IL.
Contact:
silvermage2000
Feb 22nd, '09, 16:56
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Sanibel is an amazing place indeed. Ding Darling reserve was mind blowing!!!Dreamer wrote:Yet another interesting poll topic!!!
I am so enjoying reading all the interesting answers!
I definitely have a great appreciation for all things in nature...I say "appreciation" because that encompasses respect and even fear. For example, I think tigers are fascinating but I don't want to own one...I can study my two cats closely without losing any blood!
My favorite place on Earth is Sanibel Island Florida...Great turtle nesting, wild bird nesting beaches, great restaurants, no stop lights, no street lights, beautiful starry skies...
I agree, I too am enjoying the replies today, but then again, I almost always do.
Homemade genmai blended with high mountain Awacha, big pot, I will have this around most of the day/evening.
But right now, Kame Gyokuro from O-Cha is really singing ...
Feb 22nd, '09, 17:02
Posts: 219
Joined: Sep 13th, '08, 04:26
Location: Florida, USA
Contact:
caligatia
I said yes, although I'm anti-bug. (I appreciate their place in nature, I really do, I just want them as far away from me as possible.)
When I was growing up in Kentucky and Indiana my family used to camp constantly and go on hikes almost every weekend my dad was home. (He's a long-haul truck driver and was only home every 2-3 weekends when I was a kid.) We also did a lot of canoeing and rafting. It was great.
Since we moved to Florida, though, I've spent less time in nature. Sure, I enjoy going to parks and hiking a bit. But between alligators and water moccasins I don't enjoy rivers and lakes like I could up north. Maybe I should visit the local springs this summer.
A friend says he saw 19 deer last time he went to a local nature park that has offroad bike trails. I'll have to go riding with him there sometime.
Someday I want to move to the Pacific Northwest. Trees, mountains, and an ocean all in one place? Yes please!
When I was growing up in Kentucky and Indiana my family used to camp constantly and go on hikes almost every weekend my dad was home. (He's a long-haul truck driver and was only home every 2-3 weekends when I was a kid.) We also did a lot of canoeing and rafting. It was great.
Since we moved to Florida, though, I've spent less time in nature. Sure, I enjoy going to parks and hiking a bit. But between alligators and water moccasins I don't enjoy rivers and lakes like I could up north. Maybe I should visit the local springs this summer.
A friend says he saw 19 deer last time he went to a local nature park that has offroad bike trails. I'll have to go riding with him there sometime.
Someday I want to move to the Pacific Northwest. Trees, mountains, and an ocean all in one place? Yes please!
Feb 22nd, '09, 17:31
Posts: 1633
Joined: Feb 15th, '08, 10:15
Location: Pennsylvania
Elk is good isnt it! We dont have elk but TONS of deer. Everyday I see 3 bucks and about 15 does come through my yard. Would use a rifle but not allowed to in my area, so I am probably going to get a cross bow and get some free meat.gingko wrote:Once a man fed me with elk meat. He is a great hunter and naturalist. From him I learned a lot about the natural philosophy of hunting. I can't hunt, but enjoy the products of huntingshogun89 wrote:I love nature. I love anything outdoors, gardening, hiking, boating, fishing and trying to get into deer hunting, which some people find is anti nature but I beg to differ. Plan on studying green technology in college.
As for the vote question, I think I am a big nature lover. But my husband beats me in every aspect as a nature lover, and he is not even a tea drinker
Lyric sounds amazing- pets to her and a woof hi from Indy.ErikaM wrote:
In case you couldn't guess from my avatar, I do have dogs. Here's a shot of Lyric (the sunglasses-wearing dog) in action. She's competed in herding trials in three different states and is definitely something above and beyond a pet. She's saved my butt on multiple occasions when I've made stupid livestock-handling errors. She's also cross-training in tracking work (i.e., following a person's scent trail) and I'm hoping to get her certified in tracking in the next year.
I had the most amazing tea weekend- about the only good thing in winter! hojicha, sencha, and gyokuro yesterday and sencha, gyokuro and a new sencha today. I stopped by a japanese store on the way home from work today to see what they had. I bought two green teas- the toasted rice sencha kind (genmaicha??) and another that reminds me of a cross between sencha and hojicha. I tried to google the names of the tea and the company but google seems a bit off today. yummy anyway.
cheryl 
Feb 22nd, '09, 19:16
Posts: 71
Joined: Jan 20th, '09, 00:52
Location: Hopkinsville, KY
Contact:
GT500Driver
Mid-teaday saw my first taste of Green Anji from Adagio. Smelled like Dragonwell, and tasted like bad dragonwell. Maybe it was just how I brewed it. My first brew was so weak I couldn't taste anything, second brew just wasn't good. I'll try again later.
Drinking Rooibos Tropics now.
Drinking Rooibos Tropics now.
Southern born and bred
Vroom vroom! I got my first Mustang back in October (after having driven a Ford Aspire for 14 years). What a difference. Mine is "vapor metallic," not red, but I was surprised that I had a cup that matched that one on the catalog cover...GT500Driver wrote:Nice, I love mustangs. Almost was like, "Dude I drive a..." but I guess it's obvious,
My first round of Tai Ping Hou Kui was a little light, so I had a second round today at twice the leaf. This tea has a very light, sweet grassy flavor that reminds me a lot of sencha. It's been very enjoyable.
