Each time I walk my favorite trail I find more excitement in entering the stand of birch trees half way along the way. These trees seem to speak to me about many things.      Sometimes they tell me about Native Americans making canoes of birch bark, probably using those canoes on the nearby Maumee River. The white bark, useful to our predecessors, seems ...

The bull thistle plant stood more than six feet tall. With the September wind, it was swaying mightily as I tried to take a picture of the purple blooms. More precisely, I was trying to photograph the bees that were on those flowers.            In spite of the wind the bees were hanging on in order to secure some nectar. It made me think of a Cedar ...

   As expected, there have been many stories, both of tragedy and heroism, coming from Houston and other parts of Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The various accounts of rescue and kindness are reminders that many people instinctively choose to care about other people.I’ve also found myself thinking about the various shelters where people have gone when their ...

         On Monday I watched some of the ‘Great American Solar Eclipse’ on the Weather Channel. There were reporters and scientists strategically placed throughout the country where totality would be achieved. Moving from the northwest to the southeast, these men and women took turns sharing their experience.            ...

Since I have had more time at home the last few weeks, I refilled my backyard bird feeders. Usually, I only feed the birds in the winter. But this summer I did it so that I could enjoy the birds’ visits.            And the birds came! My back yard was visited by hundreds of birds. Some were at the feeder and many were on the ground. Flocks of ...

Last week I picked several tomatoes from the two plants in my backyard. To my amazement, I got to them before either the birds or the bugs did.The first thing I noticed was the wonderful smell on my hands. I think it was from the leaves. Smells always associate with memories, and this memory took me back to the tomato field of Alex Hilvers, a neighbor of my parents, who always ...