Orchids, A New Obsession
As a semi-self taught horticulturist, I learned to stay away from orchids. It seemed everything I read warned that these plants were hard to grow, and the person attempting to grow them was doomed to failure. I took these warning seriously and went about my business growing other plants that interested me, but were “easier”….
To Commit, or Not – That is the Question.
The postcard has laid on the shelf for a week. Just receiving it, although expected, brought up many mixed emotions for me. My response is required by today. It would mean another committment, another volunteer role, and another chance to advocate for our student body. It also would mean another possibility there might be retribution…
Looking for You, My Brother
Clark, I have been looking for you. It has been eight long weeks now, at least that is what the humans will say. Many dark nights, the rooms only illuminated by the moon or a light left on accidentally, looking. Up and down, all over the house and garage, in all your favorite places, I…
Family Friendships & Destiny: Is that how it works?
I have been thinking a lot lately how some families gravitate towards one another. Over the twenty some odd years’ we have been parents, I have noticed how both families and their children gravitate towards each other, especially when it is not forced. My husband and I have friends that are primarily couples, married about…
Time for Some Summer Fun!
It’s summer and I am ready for some fun. May was an incredibly busy month, as it usually is. School got out the first weekend of June. Usually, the release of our students means the beginning of summer, complete with a relaxation of schedules, sleeping in, and lazy days. This year has been anything but…
Inspection Time
Late last week I spent some time looking at my milkweed patches for signs of monarch caterpillars. It is one of those activities that no matter how many times I do it, it is always filled with hopeful anticipation for me. I have three main patches. The first patch is common milkweed, next to my…
Silent Sunday: Last Summer in Door County, Wisconsin
A Walk on the Wildside: Searching for Silky Prairie Clover at the Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge
Yesterday, I had my “learning to drive adolescent” chauffeur me out to the Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge (TWR). He got an hour’s worth of driving experience and I got to walk through part of the prairie found near the loop trail at the TWR. The refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There…
Creating begets Creators
There is no secret that I like to create. From a young age, I drew, learned to sew, and took pride in knowing how to make things. My grandmother made all my clothes for many years – Yes, all, except my underwear! From my swimsuits to my winter coats, and everything in between, it was…