As we celebrate July 4 in these here United States, and as I listen to our national politicians, I cannot help but think they didn’t read the Declaration of Independence, what really started the Revolutionary War; nor do I think have they read the Constitution, once we became a nation of Individuals, responsible to ourselves […]
We humans like to change things. We build stuff. We “damn” up rivers and dig canals. We change what we are given to suit our wants and needs at the time. But, of all the tinkering we have perpetrated to the natural world, I think one of the most endearing tinkers was the domestication of […]
Real hard to believe it’s the middle of June and we in these parts have had — what — 2.3 days of sun? On Father’s Day I joked with sons Shamus and Sean that Michigan is becoming the new Temperate Rain-forest in North America — taking over for the state of Washington. They were less […]
So, let me see . . . about two weeks ago I penned a gem of a Don’t Rush Me column (if I do say so, myself, and I do) about dandelions. I shared my feelings on my lack of enthusiasm and or determination in mowing the dandelions in my yard. (Okay, maybe I was […]
I know to some this may be a scary proposition, but yup, sometimes I get to “teach” younger people. Through working at this newspaper for (GULP) over 34 years, I have been able to help folks hone their newspapering skills — reportin’, writin’, ad designin’ and page layout. Every once in a while and outta’ […]
For those of us who had a long, three day weekend, summer sorta’ took hold. I hope you all spent at least a little time reflecting on Memorial Day and its meaning. To those who had to work, law enforcement, safety and health folks, and those who worked, I tip my hat. Me, I did […]
Monday is Memorial Day. As I write this, it is Monday, seven days prior. I checked the weather forcast and it looks to be, mostly cloudy, with scattered thunderstorms and a high of 72. So, we got that going for us. As always this time of year, folks ask me to re run a column […]
Ah, spring is in the air! (Relatively speaking — if you consider it’s the middle of May and pretty gosh-darned gloomy, it is still spring.) And, for me, with spring comes a new awakened sense of smell. All through the bitter winter my sense of smell goes to Tahiti or somewhere. Where ever it goes, […]
A long, long time ago, in a yard not far enough away, the grass grew green and lush; worms and grubs lived in peace. Life was good for many a moon. Then I bought the property. The forces of darkness marshaled their forces. And Mole Wars began. “Oh, Obi Wan, where are you?” Worms and […]
Hey all you outdoor enthusiasts, get ready to gird your loins this weekend. Marked on my calendar a few months ago (a reader didn’t want me to forget) was this: Saturday, May 4 is World Naked Gardening Day (WNGD). How could I have forgotten that? (Maybe I tried to?) At any rate, for those interested, […]