Going Dark

Nighttime

I recently spent the night in Dragoon. I was there as a guest of the AZ Humanities Council and had the privilege of staying at the Amerind Foundation. This little known, out of the way spot is a spectacular combination of the natural world and one of the finest collections of archaeological and ethnological artifacts in the country as well as a sizable research library.

Upon my nighttime arrival however, what amazed me most was the darkness. No glaring LED billboards advertising the nearby casino or street lights to set off the night sky – just pure blackness dotted with stars that we not picked up by my iphone. I shot the photo and sent it to my husband.

He replied early the next the morning, “did you really send me a black square?” with the attached photo.

Morning

Marriage humor, I guess.

I’ve included some more photos below for you to learn about the Fulton’s work at Amerind. If you have a chance to visit, it’s highly recommended. Look now as Agrigirl is going dark for a few days.

When I return, you’ll get to see the new brand.

The focus will remain unchanged. I plan to write research based articles of interest on local economies, community building, leadership, civil discourse, the arts and humanities and of course, it will all come together at the kitchen table. There will continue to be features on Weekend Reading, T3 reports, and Local Food Focus. I don’t believe there has ever been a better time for us to be more engaged with each other in order to establish common ground and understanding. Food can be the great enabler of our discussions.

Stay tuned and as always, thank you for your readership and your friendship.

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41 Comments

  1. I look forward to following your new journey with you 🙂

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  2. Exciting to see what the new brand will be. (Would love to schedule an interview for the Shine Springs Farm Podcast, to talk about your work and your new brand).

    When I visit the farm, I’m always amazed and excited by the depth and detail of the night sky. Although we do have some minor light “pollution” from the northern and southern horizons (smallish towns, 10-12 miles away), the difference on the farm compared to my city night sky is amazing. The universe is much larger and deeper when viewed from an isolated place.

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    • I’d love to help with a podcast Sheree! Where we live, we literally have to vote for the night sky. It’s often a legislative topic.

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  3. Looking forward to the unveiling! Thanks for your thoughtful voice, Tammy. It is much appreciated.

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    • Lovely compliment Jim (still a bit hard for me to say Jim). I also appreciate your voice and your book and look forward to more thoughts that help to keep me grounded at work.

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  4. I’ll look forward to your continued insights. Thanks, Tammy!

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  5. Your journey sounds fascinating. It’s surprising how often many of us are now looking to previous generations for ways to sustain future ones.

    The term “pollution” can be used to describe many of the impacts of our industries, economies, and societies that now cause us to look to look back. While light and noise pollution might at first seem aesthetic, other impacts of our lifestyles might also be described as pollution: preventable diseases, homelessness, hunger, and more.

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    • Interesting use of the word Rob. I do tend to think of it as aesthetic but it was a word that my grandmother used to use to describe one who had overindulged in alcohol – hence along the lines you’re describing.

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  6. Yay! Good luck, Tammy. Can’t wait to see what you create.
    Eleanor

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  7. Looking forward to your next phase!

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  8. Marriage Humor is always the BEST! 😉

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  9. I grew up in a very small town with no street lights. Night was a blackout. We saw stars. When the moon was full, the flood of natural light was beautiful. Then people started putting up their own “street” lights, and we thought, “How progressive.” So foolish.

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    • The neighborhood where I live has no street lights but there is other light pollution.It is a stark difference in this remote area of my state – and beautiful.

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  10. That really is very dark. I don’t think we’re used to darkness any more (or at least city people aren’t) because we always have street lights on or house lights or headlights etc. Amazing for you to have that experience. Looking forward to seeing the new brand xx

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    • One of my friends recently purchased black shades for her bedroom. On the first day they were in, she slept until noon! This really does have an impact on our being.

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  11. I’m excited by all you are going to be doing next, Tammy! 🙂 Best wishes always!

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  12. I need people like you. We need people like you. They need people like you. Do you think the world will get the message, Tammy? It will with the help of people like you. And me, but my food work is not my blog work per se.

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    • We shall keep working on it, won’t we? I’m hoping that in the next year we get to meet face to face Amy.

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  13. Exciting, can’t wait to join you at the new table. It’s a joy to be part of your community, and have you as part of mine.

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  14. ooooooo! Lurve me a super cool header and a great lay out.
    It’s looking striking 🙂 Totally love it.

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    • Good. You are so talented at creating these types of things that it matters to me whether or not you like it. I have so enjoyed watching you and your site grow.

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  15. loving agrigirl’s brand new look and polish–knowing that there will continued good ideas and conversation shared around her kitchen table.
    go Tammy!
    and happy Thanksgiving to you and your family–
    Nancy

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    • Same to you Nancy. Thanks for being a part of this and all that you do to ensure your community has great home-cooked local food.

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  16. these photos look great! and your new blog theme is so clean looking. i love it!

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  17. The site looks great, Tammy, and I loved these pictures: so totally different from my surroundings here in the UK. To me the one of the lecturer standing by the fireplace was really wonderful: a grand old house in a very different setting from my own. The colours there are gorgeous.
    Looking forward to the re-branding exercise!

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    • It is indeed a grand old house. The archways and windows and intricate tile floor. And what’s even better is that I’d never been there and had no idea it existed yet it is a gem.

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  18. Nice work Tammy. Love the look of a real logo in a blog header. Hmmm…

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  19. Leon Stock

     /  November 20, 2012

    Nice article Tammy…….I own property in Dragoon Mountain ranch which is on the west side of the mountain range from where you were. It truly is a remarkable area. Glad you were able to experience the area and the people.

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    • I don’t know how I’ve lived in AZ so long and never been there Leon. It is beautiful although full of rattlesnakes! That little museum is a gem if you’ve never been. And I loved the bar with the rock inside – I’m certain you know which one I’m talking about. Thanks so much for reading and your comment!

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  20. What a lovely new look, Tammy ! There are so many stars to be seen in dark nights. Good luck with the change and Happy Thanksgiving. Thankful for you and your commitment.

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  21. What an amazing place. The pictures were all wonderful. Gives a sense of excitement and adventure. Even the blank shot which I can imagine was all lit up with stars that night.

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  22. You’re an inspiration as always. Keep up the good work! Love the marriage humour – could have been my husband!

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