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TOTAL ECLIPSE: Science & Magic

8/30/2017

I Experienced Totality! It was a looong day, but worth it for a two-minute naked eye view of the black-and-silver space flower! The moon’s size and distance from Earth are in perfect balance to permit a total eclipse of the sun. Astronomers know exactly where and when to see an eclipse. The reasons are scientific, but the experience is magical. (NASA)

I was part of an immense, peaceful gathering. We joined a mass migration of people who left their homes and work to experience the total eclipse of the sun. We journeyed to the path that was correctly predicted years ago, down to the second. Some traveled hundreds of miles just to witness Totality. (NASA)

And it is beautiful . . . the eclipse, the science, the harmony of people coming together to appreciate something rare and truly universal.

I watch through Eclipse glasses as the moon slides slowly across the sun, a perfect black circle. Wispy, curly shadows appear on the ground beneath trees. Crickets grow silent. (NASA)

I feel the power of the sun. The moon can not contain its light. Even when 98% of the sun is covered, there is light. It merely seems like a cloudy day. Next comes the brief moment before Totality, with a thin white diamond ring of light around the onyx moon.

Then . . . Totality! We take off our glasses and watch with our naked eyes. The change from 99% to 100% eclipse is incredible! The sun becomes a space flower with a black center and long, thin, silvery petals against a dark sky.

I am so focused that the two minutes of Totality seem much longer. Time stretches. How do I feel? I am delighted, amazed, and at peace with the world. Earth is part of a beautiful universe. And if so many people choose to experience this together, peacefully, there is hope.

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Climate Change on the Blue Planet

6/26/2017

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I've worked as a marine biologist for years, conducting field and laboratory research. My first published work is in scientific journals. I've served as a state expert at hearings, which is a very interesting experience.

I love science. I wish everyone loved science, to better understand our planet. Earth is special, and we all need the blue planet.

Earth is in the sweet spot, in an orbit the right distance from a young star, with the water and carbon necessary for life. The climate has changed before; there have been ice ages and sweat houses in the past.

But the current climate change is directly tied to us. The human population exploded after farming and then the industrial revolution, growing from millions to the current 7.5 billion people. (Photo by NASA)

This graph by EDF.org shows carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide gas concentrations across time; these are “greenhouse” gases that trap heat and warm the planet. There is an amazing increase in these gases just when the human population exploded.

The increase in average world temperatures corresponds perfectly with the increasing human population and our increasing use of fossil fuels.

We live in interesting times. This photo shows the shrinking ice caps. Glaciers and ice caps are melting even faster than predicted, which is raising the sea level.
Florida has been underwater in the past, which is why you can find terrific fossil shark teeth far inland.

China is negotiating for use of sea lanes in the Bering Sea, which are opening up as the arctic ice disappears. The increasing temperature provides greater energy for more powerful hurricanes and tornadoes. New areas will have drought and floods.

We’ll plant different food crops when the temperature and rainfall change; England has experimented with this for years, preparing for expected changes. Homes will become more energy efficient, with double-pane windows and better insulation. Wind and solar energy will help. (Glacier photo by ILTS SCIENCE – EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE; solar panel photo by MIT.)

We can still make a difference and slow climate change to give us more time to adapt.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
We can reduce our carbon footprint by ride-sharing, keeping our homes warmer in the summer, using ceiling fans, bringing our own bags to stores, and buying less to reduce industrial waste.
Call to stop receiving unwanted paper catalogs. Reduce the immense packaging waste of frozen meals by fixing food from scratch; these meals are often much healthier and cheaper. Freeze part for later meals. Buy locally whenever possible. Plant suitable trees or cacti, since roots help hold water and reduce erosion. (Photo by J.S. Burke)

The heat pollution from global warming is a major stressor on coral reefs. When coral animals die, the rock-like coral reef wears away and a very important habitat is lost. Since heat is hard to stop, we must control other coral stressors such as chemical pollution (pesticides, fertilizers, oil spills, industrial waste) and silt (from logging). We might still save reefs.
Watch the excellent documentary Food Inc. (in some libraries) to learn the many consequences of mass production of food, including mass pollution. Eating organic is a vote for our health and the health of our planet.

Fracking involves the injection of undisclosed pollutants deep into the Earth to extract oil. This can permanently pollute an aquifer, making water resources toxic.
We want oil, but we need water.

The Dragon Dreamer series by J. S. Burke is science fantasy adventure layered for ages 9 to 99.

There's an undersea world, an improbable friendship, a dangerous quest, and a "connectedness" theme. Glide across coral reefs and fly with dragons. Visit the deep abyss and toss colored lightning in the clouds.

“Everything is truly connected. Change one thing and you change the world.” ~ Scree. She's a natural shape-shifter, an octopus, and she speaks for the sea.
Available here: Amazon US Amazon UK NOOK ITUNES KOBO

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May 31st, 2017

5/31/2017

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Perception vs Reality

5/31/2017

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"Jenny wanted to share this book with us." The professor proceeded to shred the authors as ignorant and worthless, also making it clear that I must not have a clue about teaching.

Ah, the joy of being publicly ridiculed.

I was taking graduate-level education classes to become certified as a teacher, because this program was covered by my scholarship. I knew how to reach students, since I'd tutored or mentored most of my life. I'd even taught a few college classes. But I didn't know the accepted theories, important names, or the everyday public school teacher experiences that every other student knew. So I often felt like I was treading water.

Class finally ended. Several students glanced my way as they left, with that awkward silence. I wasn't exactly one of them, but I was a fellow student.

I walked to the front and quietly asked if she had actually read the book. I wanted more strategies for classroom management. This book had clever suggestions for dealing effectively with problem students, and detailed examples. I was pleased to find something so useful. I wasn't rich (marine scientists earn less than teachers), and only bought something I truly valued. I politely reached for the book, ready to leave.

"Wait."
I hesitated.
"Could I keep this a bit longer?"
I left it with her.

The next class, she admitted to being prejudiced against the authors. She had based her remarks on papers they published. Now she had read the book, and waxed eloquent about its merits. Her perception had changed, and with it her reality.

In the Dragon Dreamer series, Scree says that "One can only see what one is prepared to see." If we are convinced of something, we might not
let reality interfere with our perceptions.

The professor was willing to re-consider when I calmly shared my experiences. She also began treating me with more respect. Perceptions can change with non-confrontational, informative communication.

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Falling Thru Ice: Problem Solving

4/27/2017

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The ice crackled beneath my skates. My heart stopped. Cracks raced out like lightning and I fell through the ice.

I held my breath despite the shock of freezing water. Years later, I find this surprising. I was only eight.

I had a habit of exploring beyond, leaving the herd. My family was on the other side of the lake. No one saw me disappear beneath the ice. Nobody knew, and no one could help.

The water became a thick cloud of mud as I hit bottom, weighed down by winter clothes and ice skates. I stared up, searching for the hole. I couldn't see it. How long could I hold my breath?

I reached the ice, bashed a hole, and gulped air. I grabbed the ice but it broke around me. I dropped back down, chilled to the bone.

I ran for the shore along the bottom, which was difficult in skates. The lake became more shallow the closer I got to shore, as I knew it must. I pushed up to the surface, broke the ice, grabbed a breath of air. Then I sank back down to the bottom and ran for shore again.

Push up, breathe, drop down, run. I moved slower as the cold seeped in. My hands and feet were numb.

Finally I struggled out of the lake, alone, exhausted, and freezing. I was far from anyone, and so cold! My teeth chattered as I walked awkwardly on my ice skates around the lake. I found my family, was wrapped in a blanket, and we headed home.

No doubt some were a bit annoyed at me for shortening the outing. No one knew exactly what happened. I never told all that happened, until now.

Looking back, I realize that I always planned to be a scientist. Even at eight, I knew I would be a marine biologist. Science involves problem-solving. And on that day, as an eight-year-old, I used problem-solving to survive.

I. Love. Science. Crystal Geometry and Crystal Colors help beginners learn math and science. Understanding fractions, ratios, and chemistry opens up new careers. Science is great exercise for the mind. And, learning to problem-solve quickly is useful!

I've needed a quick, problem-solving survival strategy many times . . . and I'm still here! It works! All those experiences are GREAT for writing, too! In Dragon Lightning, poor Drakor, my beleaguered ice dragon, finds himself on thin ice.

The Dragon Dreamer series has science fantasy adventure stories that include author experiences. There are strong female and male characters who solve problems intelligently and courageously. People as young as three and as mature as ninety have enjoyed these books!

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PAINTING FAIRIES & DRAGON DREAMER JEWELRY

3/31/2017

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I left paint, paper, and brushes out for weeks, waiting for the painting fairies. They never came.

So I finally grabbed the brush by the handle and painted the 2nd cover, for Dragon Lightning.

I measured and used ratios to make both covers match. Now I'm imagining the cover for my 3rd book. Seeing my dragons helps me tell their stories.

Art is an important part of culture. The beings in the Dragon Dreamer series are very cultured!

Arak makes musical ice sculptures in this science-based fantasy world. Ice dragons sculpt glaciers with lightning.

Orm decorates his undersea cave with glowing tapestries.

Amazon Book Link: The Dragon Dreamer
Each book chapter has a drawing. Golden dragons grow fantasy snowflakes made from animals. Some are on the "Snowflakes" page: http://www.jennysburke.com/snowflakes.html
I'm working on a Snowflakes Coloring Book with these flakes and more.

I started a line of Dragon Dreamer jewelry that is themed to my books.

Orm grows cultured pearls beneath the waves and glowing, living tapestries.

Scree changes color to show emotions and carries a pink friendship pearl. Dragons use gems for their trance-stones.

Check out the new "Jewelry" page with 9 earring trays:
http://www.jennysburke.com/jewelry.html

Art is my first love. I've made jewelry since I was a child. I use math ratios and weight for color and "density" to make better patterns.

There are plans for a Dragon Dreamer ETSY store with jewelry, cards, and posters.

Thanks for stopping by!

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TO SAVE A MOCKINGBIRD

1/27/2017

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A small bird emerged from the far side of the meadow, swept across the clearing, and landed on my shoulder just as a stranger appeared.

His eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hair. “How did you do that?”
I struggled not to laugh. “Easy. I just called Birrr-Deee.” Then I walked back into the woods.

The mockingbird on my shoulder pecked at my earlobe and I gave him a snack from my pocket. I had found him as a tiny pink hatchling with no feathers, merely tiny sheaths like plastic straws. I searched for a nest, but found only the remnants left after the storm. I hid and watched, but no mother bird appeared.

The baby bird looked fearlessly into my eyes and I knew I couldn’t just leave him there. So I fixed up a box with straw and a heating lamp. I called him “Birdy”, unwilling to give a better name since I doubted he would live. I fed him constantly, whenever I wasn’t working as a swimming instructor or lifeguard at the community pool. And he grew feathers.

He hopped and flapped his wings but tried little else. So I helped him learn to fly. One day he flew away, as I had hoped. He was free.

I knew he might still need supplements as he tried new foods in the forest, so I carried snacks with me and called to him in the nearby meadow, using the same two “bir-dy” call notes. He often came to my call, and it felt magical.

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Relax and Feel the Sunshine

11/1/2016

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It seems that almost everyone I know is stressed out. I'm sending each of you a virtual vacation in a warm, relaxing tide pool. Close your eyes, listen to the waves and feel the sunshine. Enjoy!

Then take a virtual ride on a dragon and spiral through the clouds. Toss lightning with other dragons. Take a vacation in the worlds of the Dragon Dreamer.

Amazon US Books I & II:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=js+burke
Amazon UK Books I & II:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Dragon+Dreamer

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WHERE DO WRITER IDEAS COME FROM?

10/31/2016

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Barbara: What was your most memorable experience as a marine biologist and did this influence your writing or did the writing come first?

J.S.: Meeting the octopus made me fall in love with them. I studied them. When I began to write about dragons, an octopus appeared to save Arak. I didn't plan this. All my experiences find a way into my books. In some ways, these are my autobiographies.

Lisa: Do you enjoy that others read your books or do you miss just writing for yourself?

J.S.: I became accustomed to this being my private world. But I've met many marvelous people because the Dragon Dreamer books were published.

Lisa: When did you decide to write?

J.S.: I've written most of my life, but in different settings. I've published marine science papers and educational books with crystals to teach math and chemistry. I learned a new set of skills to write a novel: pacing, character development, story arc, etc. This is fascinating! It lets you use everything.

Nichole: Where did the idea come from for Scree and Arak?

J.S.: I don't really know. This story just grew in my head, from all I know and imagine. Once my characters arrived, they became real to me and I knew what they would do. Dragon Arak is a determined dreamer, which I understand. Octopus Scree loves the ocean and tries to do the right thing, which I think is important.

Donna: Where did the names of your characters come from?

J.S.: Octopus names are one syllable and sound like the sea. Dragon names are 2 syllables (male) or 3 syllables (female) and sound dragonny.

Connie: Do you do any kind of research on dragons before writing?

J.S.: I've studied all kinds of beings to learn what is possible; electric eels, birds who probably see magnetic lines, insects that communicate with chemicals through plants, how birds fly, how some insects can squirt stuff that burns. Then I put it all together to understand my dragons.

Katie: What's your favorite thing writing about your dragons?

J.S.: I'm fascinated by the science behind all the neat things they can do. In Dragon Lightning I delve into how they use and see energy.

Sandra: Why did you have your dragons make snowflakes? Are your dragons cold blooded?

J.S.: My dragons are warm-blooded and have a fast metabolism. That's why they eat fatty foods like nuts and fish, to have enough energy. They eat a lot before they go up into the clouds and grow fantasy flakes. Growing these flakes takes skill and develops their talents at manipulating micro-energy.

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CHANGE HAPPENS SLOWLY. THERE IS HOPE.

9/1/2016

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A friend was feeling discouraged about our world. Change happens slowly, and there is hope.

Once our rivers were so polluted they caught on fire. The air in cities was so filthy you could barely see the tops of buildings. Then the EPA was formed, and now the air and sky are much cleaner.

Once it was OK to beat animals to death. Today it is illegal and also not socially acceptable. No Kill animal shelters are spreading. We need to keep pushing for improvements.

Change often starts with the dreams of one person willing to commit to making the world a better place. Progress can be made as simply as helping one child learn to read.

In The Dragon Dreamer, Arak is an idealistic dragon. He learns that "Everything worth doing starts with a dream." But it takes work and a plan.

Scree is fearless and never gives up. "What will be, will be. And then I'll fix it." This is something we all can do.

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TOTAL ECLIPSE: Science & Magic

Climate Change on the Blue Planet

May 31st, 2017

Perception vs Reality

Falling Thru Ice: Problem Solving

PAINTING FAIRIES & DRAGON DREAMER JEWELRY

TO SAVE A MOCKINGBIRD

Relax and Feel the Sunshine

WHERE DO WRITER IDEAS COME FROM?

CHANGE HAPPENS SLOWLY. THERE IS HOPE.

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