Sliding Doors - The Multiverse

Stephen Hawking's multiverse theory suggests that there may be multiple universes out there, each with its own set of physical laws and properties.

It's like having a cosmic buffet of universes, where each one has its own unique flavors and ingredients. Imagine this: you're at an all-you-can-eat restaurant, and instead of just one buffet table, there are countless tables, each representing a different universe. On each table, you have different dishes, representing the laws of physics in that particular universe.

Some universes may have gravity that's stronger or weaker than ours, some may have different numbers of dimensions, and who knows what other bizarre things could be happening?

Parallel universes are no longer just a feature of a good sci-fi story. There are now some scientific theories that support the idea of parallel universes beyond our own. However, the multiverse theory remains one of the most controversial theories in science.

Our universe is unimaginably big. Hundreds of billions, if not trillions, of galaxies spin through space, each containing billions or trillions of stars. Some researchers studying models of the universe speculate that the universe's diameter could be 7 billion light-years across. Others think it could be infinite.

But is it all that's out there? Science fiction loves the idea of a parallel universe, and the thought that we might be living just one of an infinite number of possible lives. Multiverses aren't reserved for "Star Trek," "Spiderman" and "Doctor Who," though. Real scientific theory explores, and in some cases supports, the case for universes outside, parallel to, or distant from but mirroring our own.

My Multiversion

In my parallel universe
I am married to Russell Crowe
we live in a fabulous house in the lakes
with a multiverse of trees.

I make a living by writing
I won the Nobel prize
now everyone knows my name
they've even made me a dame.

Our son was Wimbledon champion
our daughter's a concert pianist
I only live there when I'm sleeping
because I am a realist.

We're each in our own little bubble
just trying to survive
but it's really nice to fantasize
it helps us to get by.

If there really is a multiverse
it couldn't be better than this
I have a lovely grand-daughter
and every day life is bliss.

Thanks for reading. Adele 

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Call of the wild - not for me.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against 'the great outdoors'. I often enjoy a birdwatching walk in my local park, seeking out woodpeckers, nuthatches, treecreepers and such. I love to go up to our closest fells to observe the view over Morecambe Bay. I like waterfalls and love the Lake District with all my heart.

One thing that I can't get excited about is camping. Why anyone would want to go out into the middle of nowhere, spend hours putting up a tent, gathering up wood to build a fire and spending a restless night sleeping on a groundsheet, on the cold hard ground, is beyond my comprehension. Apart from that discomfort, I really don't like spiders and snakes!

Another outdoor activity that holds no temptation for me is white-water rafting. Just the thought of sitting in a flimsy rubber dingy while being thrown around by thundering, fast-flowing water fills me with dread. I certainly won't be embarking on that very soon.

I don't get fishing - why bother? Nor do I get mountaineering, Apart from my fear of heights and fear of falling to certain death or sustaining serious injury, I simply don't understand the idea that you climb a mountain 'because it was there'. When my children were younger, if I wanted that kind of excitement, I simply had to put my hands under the cushions on my couch. I called it Star-trekking, 'boldly going where no-one had gone before'.

How about a walk in the woods?

The Teddy Bear's Picnic

If you go down to the woods today
for camping or fishing
especially in North America
if you go down to the woods today
here are some points to remember
wild animals call the wild their home
deer and wolves and bears
when you decide to invade their territory
prepare very carefully.

Black bears and grizzlies
may be down in the woods today
with very different personae
black bears are shy and retiring
they will flee if you make a loud noise
so attach little bells to your clothing.
Grizzlies may choose to approach you
so carry a pepper spray with you
and discharge it into their eyes.

It is simple to identify
the species of bear by it's scat.
Black bears are vegetarian
so check it for berries and nuts
Grizzly bear scat, should you find it,
is easily recongised
it contains small bells
and smells of pepper spray
So don't go down to the woods today
or you may have to run for your life.

Thanks for reading. Adele

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Planting Trees

 I was set a very good example by my lovely Dad when it comes to planting trees and saving the planet. Before I was born, my family moved into a newly built house with virgin garden. Dad decided to plant three poplar trees at the far end of the garden to screen off the other houses. Poplars grow extremely tall, they are also protected by law.  The result is that the trees Dad planted are still in situ and are now highly visible from the main road. Well done Dad!

While studying for my BA in Writing English for Business in 2010, I hit a pitfall. I had to create a project around a business issue. Because I worked for a government department at the time, I was unable to carry this out. During this time, I went to Wyre Estuary Country Park to help with The Big Garden Bird Watch.  After the event, I was speaking to the Head Ranger, who told me that the park had ambitions to plant a thousand trees on the drumlin.  We discussed the fact that they only wanted to plant native British trees. 

I immediately offered to help with the campaign to raise sufficient funds. I set to work to research the four native trees as well as the method by which trees improve the quality of the water table. They had chosen Rowan (Mountain Ash), Sessile Oak, Ash and Silver Birch.  I designed and built a website for the project and a really informative poster and flyer. 

After submission, along with my dissertation, I was given a First Class BA(Hons) but was also given an award for the project.  Naturally, I was delighted but even more so when I was told that Doreen Lofthouse, a local entrepreneur, had seen the website and pledged the funding for one thousand trees. I am so proud when I go to the park and walk down the drumlin among those trees. Now established for twelve years they have completely changed the park landscape. 

Ode to a Tree

I bathe in your shadow,

striped by filtered light.

the gentle breeze bending

 as it curves around us.

A strange couple,

me just seven and a half.,

you more than a century.

What knowledge

passed from one to the other?

A child and a tree.  

Thanks for reading. Adele

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