Category: nature
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Bees and Hummingbirds
When we first moved into a woodland home, I was expecting a lot of furry wildlife–deer, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, etc. I need to add porcupines to the list, though I never even thought they would be part of our life. During the night, when we were still getting used to the place, we were awoken…
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Fireflies
Wildfire smoke has kept me indoors for three days now. The temperatures are perfect for opening windows and working in the garden. But alas, windows are closed and I’m sure the plants are trying to cope with the smoke as well. We are living in a world of hazy grey skies and the smell of…
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Noticing
Summer is finally here. Lake Michigan isn’t at her summer best just yet. She still holds some of winter. An early morning drive revealed fog along the lakeshore. The water and air temperatures are not yet aligned. As seasons change, whether from spring to summer, or a season of life, I can feel a bit…
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Late Spring Forest life
I came back home to my Michigan north woods home from a trip to Scotland with summer bursting out all over. The trees have leafed out. Morels, supposedly, can still be found. And birdsong welcomes the sunrise. I’ve been able to sit outside with my morning coffee taking in vitamin D and hoping the sun…
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Travel
I just got back from a twelve day trip to Scotland. We visited chefs and weavers and gin/whiskey makers. People who use the ingredients of their area to create something beautiful and delicious. We visited a garden in northwest Scotland that was created by Victorian plant hunters and brought back plants from North America, South…
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Visit from Spirit Animal
We put a bird feeder right outside our sitting room window. I suppose watching the birds is a form of mediation for me. This has been a tough winter. Lots of snow. Lots of cold. I enjoy offering food to our winter residents–chickadees, nuthatches, titmouse, downy woodpeckers, and the occasional blue jays and cardinals. In…
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Wonder
In a moment of quiet as I gazed out the back window, the word ‘wonder’ came to me and the hymn: I wonder as I wander out under the sky And wonder is my word of the year. As a gardener, when I stop with my list of garden tasks and simply stand or sit…
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Winter Pays A Visit
A winter storm blew through last night and into this morning. The snow bands have moved on though the wind is still blowing. The treetops, and sometimes the entire tree trunk, sway as the wind blows past. I can hear the wind as it makes its way through the forest to get here then blow…
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Keeping Christmas
We are in a quieter season of life and we keep a quieter Christmas. We put up the tree, artificial now, and decorate with ornaments the kids made and with ornaments we’ve collected or we were gifted through the years. A wreath at the front door and a nativity scene above the fireplace. The house…
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Embracing Winter
Winter has begun. Though it has felt like winter since the end of November. A few feet of snow on the ground and below freezing temperatures. Winter began a bit early for me though I am happy I got most of the garden tucked in for winter. I added a horse manure/shavings mix to work…
