Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1297549
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 OCTOBER 2020 NATURE So two large swathes of woodland go to a bunch of armed men whose ultimate plans for the sites will be to strut around and shoot birds. Il- Miżieb and L-Aħrax, which together cover about 100ha, were government afforestation initiatives planted in the 1950s and 1960s to add greenery in our countryside. True, the projects were neither ideally sited (they probably destroyed two rich stretches of garrigue) nor all planted with native trees. But those woodlands are today a magnet for tired migratory birds like cuckoos, songbirds and raptors. And now hunters will have free rein to kill them for most of the year with blanket impunity, away from pesky prying eyes as no doubt they won't allow anyone entry while exercising their 'socio-cultural' violence. But no, ta, the hunters will be policing themselves, so that's alright! Text and photo: Victor Falzon 731. IL-MIŻIEB and L-AĦRAX Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 624 Go for a walk in nature and collect edible wild plants while following our Foraging Guide: https://foemalta.org/foraging-guide Edible Wild Plants Malta has a range of wild edible flora that are excellent for use in the kitchen. Wild edible plants are healthy because they are full of vitamins, minerals, fibre, antioxidants, and phytochemicals which protect one's body from ageing and pollutants. In addition, they are not full of chemicals pesticides or fertilizers, unless you pick them near fields that use them or on the side of roads. Consuming wild edible plants is good for the planet because those plants are adapted to our climate and soil and do not require cultivation nor intensive watering. They do not cost you anything financially speaking, and their collection will bring you well-being, allowing you to bond with nature. Food sovereignty is important for the planet and for your health. Eating healthy while respecting the environment is possible when you are aware of what surrounds you.Before picking and consuming wild plants, make sure they are edible and can be harvested in a sustainable way. You can find this information Friends of the Earth Malta's Foraging Guide. Patatinu's adventures on Ganni's farm continue Muzajci tat-Tafal These short stories expose us to those ordinary charac- ters that we meet in our daily lives. At first glance they seem strong and whole, but when we accompany them in their lives' experiences we realize that they are people made of clay. People who remained attached to their past and who are frightened by it. Others wish for just some appreciation. People either live their sexual fantasies or are tormented by obsessions, such as the appre- hension of euthanasia. People who analyze themselves like under an X-ray machine, be- cause they don't know how to explore what's deep down in their heart and soul. Charac- ters that swing along with the jolts they encounter along the way and the cultural chang- es. Some of them are also vic- tims of the egocentricity or stubborn pride that bring fam- ilies to ruin. People hiding be- hind masks. Sometimes they make us angry; at others they make us empathize with them or even put a smile on our face. We walk along with real peo- ple and their various experi- ences. We penetrate life's net- ting to come face to face with internal conflicts in relation- ships, with tensions, frights, contradictions, lack of com- passion, disillusion, failures, and other strong emotions which together form the mosa- ic of this fragile life. PATATINU'S adventures on Ġanni's farm continue. For the first time, the village is organising a procession with the participation of Patat- inu. What happened to Don Michele? During an activity organized by the local council, Marì meets with Daniele, a fel- low student of hers. What will happen to Stellinu? Does he go back to his3home, or does he decide to stay at Val Verdun? Marì and her family come to Malta for a couple of days, but who will be taking care of the farm? An unexpected vis- it welcomes Marì and Patat- inu in Lanexjum. Patatinu and Sapjenza had a conversation during the night. What was the conversation about, espe- cially at that time of the night? Another Christmas is on the doorstep. Who will be attend- ing the Christmas pageant held at Marì's and Żeppi's school? Patatinu or Ġwejda? Xwejku and his family arrive on the farm. They were very fright- ened and worried, but who knows why? On a summer morn- ing, Marì and Daniele take Patatinu out to the mountain, where they meet the star of the mountain. How many legends will they narrate to each other about this star! And who was Griżu? What was he doing near Ġerbużella? Why was Dottor Vincenzo del Globo visiting Ġanni's farm so often? All this and much more will be revealed in the story of Patatinu in his third book.