This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1. Nutrition Diva wrote that mineral water’s good for you [1]. Next time I go to Daylesford I’ll take my cup.

2. speaking of water, treehugger wrote cash-strapped US cities are slashing spending on bottled water [2]. They say it’s for fiscal and environmental reasons. I don’t care what they say – but I care what they do.

3. JAMA published a paper concluding that for chronic low back pain and lumbar spine arthritis, oral glucosamine’s no better than placebo [3]. But i’s good for knee arthritis.

4. planetgreen published the results of a global survey on child development and play. 90% of children said they’d rather play with parents and friends than watch TV or use the internet. [4] Ho hum.

5. the journal Neurology published a 17-year study revealing older people with depression have a 50% increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s [5]. Interesting.

6. young round-the-world sailor Jessica Watson announced the imminent release of a CD of 20 songs that she listened to during her voyage [6a]. I’ll bet none are those in my musical blog post tribute to her [6b].

7. treehugger published a piece about a Cannondale bike that doubles as a shopping trolley [7]. How beautiful.

8. as I wrote two days ago, Artist as Family’s food forest’s really took shape [8]. Over 100 people have said they’re attending the Plant-in Day today. Wow! Go, team!

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

Farmdoc's musical tribute to Jessica Watson

At 1:53 p.m. last Saturday – three days before her 17th birthday – Jessica Watson crossed the Sydney Harbour finish line to complete her 209-day round the world voyage that began last 18 October. Today’s post’s a tribute to Jessica and her fantastic achievement – through the medium of (water/boat) music [1]:

1. Sloop John B. It’s one of my favourite sailing songs. I doubt Jessica imbibed like the John B’s crew, though. Which version do you prefer: the Beach Boys [2] or Johnny Cash [3]?

2. The Water is Wide. What a superb song. Also called O Waly, Waly, this English or Scottish folk song dates from the 1600s. That water must’ve seemed so wide to Jessica. Many singers have recorded this song. Here’s Eva Cassidy [4] and Pete Seeger [5].

3. Shenandoah. The scale’s reduced to a river (the Missouri). But the music and lyrics aren’t diminished. They’re mournful – like Jessica no doubt often felt during her odyssey. Here’s Paul Robeson [6] and a Filipino choir [7].

4. Erie Canal. An even smaller waterway. I’ve no idea if Jessica was ever becalmed. But if she was, the mule Sal would’ve helped. I love this song. Try Bruce Springsteen [8] and Suzanne Vega [9].

5. Sinking of the Reuben James. A Woody Guthrie song. I’ll bet at times Jessica worried Ella’s Pink Lady mightn’t survive. All’s well that ends well, though. Here’s Woody [10] and the Weavers [11].

6. Banks of the Ohio. Jessica’s back on dry land. Safe and sound. Good on her. She’s now a famous Aussie. Just like Livvy [12].

Congratulations, Jessica Watson. I salute you.

The teenager, the PR industry, and the non-record

Jessica Watson (pictured), born in Queensland on 18 May 1993, is currently attempting to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world [1]. She sailed east from Sydney on 18 October 2009, and after traversing the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans she’s expected back in Sydney next week – just before her 17th birthday. Ventures like this require money. Lots of it. And so sponsorships are located and negotiated. The more the better. Jessica has 14 sponsors (including Ella Bache after which her boat, Ella’s Pink Lady, is named) and 25 ‘official suppliers’ [2]. These 39 helpers aren’t charities. Rather, their help’s an investment. And they expect a return on their investment. Which in turn requires publicity. Lots of it [3, 4]. So Jessica’s quest’s being stage-managed by a PR firm: 5 Oceans Media [5]. Enter the World Sailing Speed Record Council [WSSRC] which sets rules for, and documents, world sailing speed records [6]. Last week a controversial storm brewed up over whether or not Jessica’s sailing route’s long enough to meet the WSSRC’s rules for around the world records; and the finger’s being pointed at 5 Oceans Media [7]. But this is all irrelevant – because the WSSRC’s discontinued the world record category of ‘Youngest non-stop single-handed circumnavigation’ [8]. Me? I think Jessica’s exceptionally courageous – and admirable. And all else’s background music. Ho hum.