In the fall and winter, I like to go lichen-hunting. The trees have lost their leaves and there isn’t much undergrowth, so it’s a lot easier to spot these frilly, hairy, fuzzy, and crusty organisms. There are so many shapes, textures, and colors of lichens to look at, it can take me hours to get down a trail. I once had a bicyclist whizz past me on a trail, only to come back a few seconds later, stop his bike, and say, “I have to know, what … [Read more...]
How to Survive the Winter: For Gardeners
It’s gray, foggy, and drizzling outside – a perfect Mississippi winter day. When winter arrives, I curl up on the couch, tuck in the extra blankets, close my eyes and fervently wish I was somewhere tropical. I wish, I wish, I wish! Yep, still here. The only thing that gets me through these yucky days when I can’t be outside are my indoor plants. They suffer neglect in the spring and summer, but in the winter, they get all my … [Read more...]
It All Started With A Photo of a Cucumber Plant
Something unexpected made me smile this morning. It was a happy surprise from a stranger. I’m pretty new to Instagram, finally opening my account this summer. I’ve posted a few photos and left a few comments, but to be honest, I haven’t had much time for it. A couple of days ago, I saw a photo of a specific variety of cucumber that someone was growing. The post talked about how this particular cucumber variety does well in a hot … [Read more...]
Two in a Canoe – Spotting the Flowers on the Water
Every third weekend in the spring and summer my local wildlife refuge holds a free canoe day. They bring the canoes and you bring the paddlers. On an overcast Saturday this weekend, my friend Megan and I decided to give it a go. We packed the sunscreen, the bug spray, hats, our cameras, and some water and headed out to the boat ramp. We were running a little late that morning but we drove up just in time to claim the next to the last canoe. … [Read more...]
Getting My Perspective Back
It’s been a rough day. This is one of those days where nothing seems to go right and the minute hand on the clock just isn’t moving fast enough. As a result, I’m grumbly. That’s what I call myself when I’m half way between grumpy and grumbling. I’ll start muttering under my breath about the stupid, annoying things that wouldn’t normally bother me at all. It’s not pleasant for anyone around me when I’m grumbly. I sat at my computer all … [Read more...]
