Written by Vicky Ramakka, who lives in the northwestern corner of New Mexico, this plant-based mystery introduces Millie Whitehall, a newly minted botanist with a summer job far from her native New Jersey. Millie’s sharp eye for plant identification introduces the reader to native New Mexican plants (especially cacti and succulents), the sometimes uneasy compromises inherent in non-compatible land use issues, and the very real issues of plant smuggling.<\/p>\n
Everyone who attended reported that they enjoyed the book very much.\u00a0 Given that we’re all plant people, the participants especially liked the ‘scientific’ description of plants.\u00a0 One woman had worked on the Navajo Reservation told us the Navajo aspects of the story brought back memories for her.\u00a0 She reported that the author, Vicky Ramakka, described that culture well.<\/p>\n
We went through some of the author’s questions for book groups.\u00a0 The most discussion was generated over how quickly Millie was accepted with people feeling it might be unrealistic for an outsider to become part of the group so quickly.\u00a0 We then found a number of reasons why that might happen, mostly because of Millie’s open and friendly personality.\u00a0We also wanted to know why she wasn’t offered the botanist position that had been Herb’s when she was leaving….\u00a0 I emailed Vicky with our question and she replied:\u00a0 “You may pass on to the group that the reason the area manager didn\u2019t offer Millie a job is that any federal position needs to go through a lengthy application process (to avoid favoritism, etc.).”<\/p>\n
I believe we’re all looking forward to the future adventures of Millie.\u00a0 Vicky has generated believable characters and our readers want to know more!\u00a0 In her reply to me, she also hinted that there’s most likely a second Millie adventure in the works.\u00a0 We can’t wait!<\/p>\n
The novel also included a bibliography:\u00a0 several of the books are in our CAGC Library and available for checkout.\u00a0 The Dick-Peddie book is something of a classic, out of print, and hard to find.\u00a0 We do have a copy in our reference section – available to read in the library but not for checkout.<\/p>\n
In addition to being an engaging and easy read, the novel includes a number of opportunities to learn more about endangered species, plant theft, the complicated dance of multiple land uses in New Mexico, cryptobiotic crusts, and plants used as dyes, to name just a few.<\/p>\n
Here are the links and videos I showed during our discussion.\u00a0 Plus, of course, a couple more I have added since then.<\/p>\n
Well pads<\/a>:\u00a0 photos, not video Cryptobiotic crust:\u00a0 Youtube video<\/a>, length 4:08<\/p>\n Dyeing with lichens<\/a><\/p>\n Cactus and succulent theft:\u00a0 Al Jazeera story<\/a>\u00a0 Youtube video, length 2:20 An article on why plant smuggling<\/a> is such big business with an interview with Woody Minnich. Woody was the long-time owner of the nursery Cactus Data Plants and a respected international speaker, whose articles (and photography) have been widely disseminated. He and his wife live in Cedar Grove, NM. Something I had never really thought about – plants are living and have food, water, light, etc needs to stay alive. Retrieving plants from smugglers is only the first step of a long process. Etymology<\/a> for the cactus and succulent genera Distinguishing between<\/a> cacti and succulents Interesting links I came across:\u00a0 Plants are cool too<\/a> series<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Written by Vicky Ramakka, who lives in the northwestern corner of New Mexico, this plant-based mystery introduces Millie Whitehall, a newly minted botanist with a summer job far from her native New Jersey. Millie’s sharp eye for plant identification introduces … Continue reading
\nFracking\/well map
\n<\/a>supplemental information on fracking from the Global Energy Monitor Wiki<\/a>:
\nwhat\u2019s involved in a drilling permit<\/a>
\nwhat\u2019s involved literally in applying for a permit in NM<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSaguaro chipping<\/a>:\u00a0 Youtube video, length 2:25
\nArticle on smuggling<\/a> (a true story) with comments by Steven Brack, an Albuquerque resident and former owner of Mesa Garden greenhouses in Belen.<\/p>\n
\nNM State Forestry in EMNRD (energy, minerals, natrural resources department) threatened and endangered plants<\/a> link.<\/p>\n
\nTHIS LINK IS BROKEN AND I CAN’T FIND ANYTHING TO REPLACE IT (7 July 2022). I HOPE THIS DOESN’T BODE POORLY FOR THE STATUS OF PLANT RESCUE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL… Rescue plant centers: https:\/\/www.fws.gov\/international\/pdf\/factsheet-plant-rescue-center-program.pdf – information from fish and wildlife service (FWS)
\nThis National Geographic<\/a> link, however, still works.<\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/cactiguide.com\/etymology_genera\/
\nAnd another one<\/a>…<\/p>\n
\nHelpful diagram<\/a> of the parts of the cactus plant and flower\u00a0 http:\/\/www.desert-scape.com\/Cactus_diagram.jpg<\/p>\n
![Helpful diagram<\/a> of the parts of the cactus plant and flower\u00a0 http:\/\/www.desert-scape.com\/Cactus_diagram.jpg<\/p>\nInteresting links I came across:\u00a0 Plants are cool too<\/a> series<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Written by Vicky Ramakka, who lives in the northwestern corner of New Mexico, this plant-based mystery introduces Millie Whitehall, a newly minted botanist with a summer job far from her native New Jersey. Millie’s sharp eye for plant identification introduces … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":835,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1005","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.margaretmenache.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1005"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.margaretmenache.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.margaretmenache.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.margaretmenache.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.margaretmenache.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1005"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.margaretmenache.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1006,"href":"https:\/\/www.margaretmenache.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1005\/revisions\/1006"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.margaretmenache.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.margaretmenache.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}](\"http:\/\/www.desert-scape.com\/Cactus_diagram.jpg\"){kind=link}