Snowboarding, skateboarding, hiking, flatwater kayaking, cattle dogs, botanizing (vascular native plants, macrolichens), wildflower photography, ethnobotany, cultural anthropology, evolution and genetics, juggling, world travel, realizing dreams, Men, and overcoming B.S.
One of my favorite groups of plants is the Lomatium genus, also called biscuitroot and desert parsley. There are over 50 species, all native to the western USA and southern Canada. The genus Lomatium is in the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Family, that also includes important crops such as carrots, celery, and parsley.
Lomatium geyeri - One of the common and easily confused white-flowered species endemic to Eastern Washington. Other look alikes include Lomatium gormanii, L. hambleniae var. hambleniae, Lomatium piperi (its taxonomic status is still debatable), and Orogenia linearifolia.
Lomatium farinosum var. hambleniae - This variety of lomatium is endemic to a few counties in Central Washington. The more common variety is white.
Lomatium cuspidatum - Endemic to mid to high elevations in the Wenatchee Mountains and Blewett Pass area in Washington State.
Lomatium thompsonii - Endemic to lower elevations near Dryden Washington and Blewett Pass. Although one of the more robust Lomatiums, this is also at the highest risk of habitat loss from development because its habitat is lower in elevation.
Lomatium dissectum Lomatiums are in the same family as parsley, carrots, and poison hemlock. This one was used by the Indians for stupifying fish so they could be easily caught.
The Muppets- especially Kermit the Frog or Animal. Johnny Cash when he was still alive. The lake monster of the Okanagan Lake, Flathead Lake and/or of the Columbia River- the famed Ogopogo (our own native "Nessie").
Also people who are interesting, non-combative, and like to do things.
Bob Marley, GD, Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Bob Dylan, Black Flag, Ani DiFranco, Against Me!, Bella Fleck (and the Flecktones), Talking Heads, The Cure, Neil Young, Rush, Johnny Cash, Modest Mouse, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Grateful Dead, Steel String Theory, Woodie Guthrie.
The Fast Runner, Lord of the Rings, Reservoir Dogs, Amores Perros, Fight Club, Nepoleon Dynamite, The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
PBS, The Muppet Show, Looney Tunes, Growing up .... (Sitka Deer, Elephant, Penguin, etc. on Animal Planet), Sunrise Planet Earth, old Saturday Night Live, Red Dwarf, bull riding and baseball. Go Mariners and Adriano Moraes! They should let them win one every once in a while.
Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Last Cowboy, Tarka the Otter, Flora of the Pacific Northwest (every Pacific NW botanist's bible), The Jepson Manual, Native American Ethnobotany, Field Guide to Intermountain Sedges.
It may be that we have to give up any sense of ego (self) in order to be truly heroic. Therefore names are less meaningful and more temporary than thoughts themselves. My top 3 heroic thoughts are:
1. Kindness and empathy towards all of humanity, no matter the who, what, when and where.
2. Working hard, and hard work.
3. Truthfulness, although it may not benefit me and/or you.