Category nature
Winter Notes
In the evening when it’s dark and the stars shine bright, I like to stand by an open window and listen and breathe and look into the night. Winter air can be odorless. Or a pocket of scent might startle me, usually when walking through the woods. It could be the mild skunk-like musk of […]
Writing Is like a Fungus
Already, I’m letting this blog down. It’s been too long since I’ve written. Well, I’ve been writing, and that’s the good news, just not here. What’s been happening? I’m working on a novel. My second, so you’d think it would be easier, right? Nope. Now I know all my weaknesses and found some new ones. […]
Back Home
There’s a meme going around social media: what advice would you give your younger self. I’m not sure what it’s intended to do. Make you feel better about where you’ve ended up? Or feel worse? My 20- and 30-something self would be amazed. I never contemplated where my life would take me. I’ve had the […]
Today, 9/1/18
You’ve heard about driveway moments—you’re in the car, listening to a really good radio program but have arrived home, so you sit in the driveway to listen to the rest before going inside. My driveway moments happen without a car. Each morning, I like to step out onto my driveway and greet the day. One […]
Today, 8/28/18
I haven’t had much time to reflect on my new life, here in western Massachusetts. There’s been no lack in appreciation. Even on hot days like today, I love the smell of the summer grass. After a thunderstorm, I love how the air cools down. My mother used to always mention that when I was […]
Bird Nerd
It’s spring and that’s when I turn into a bird nerd. The warblers are migrating! This year I started early because in the past, not being truly matured into an adult birder, I’ve realized too late what’s going on and missed the bulk of the migrants. Yes, migrants. Don’t tell Donald Trump, but millions of […]
Hawks and Doves
Warning: animals were harmed in the inspiration of this blog. Not by me. And no, this is not a political rant. Recently, a Cooper’s hawk has been using my bird feeders as a buffet. It’s the price of attracting birds in winter. You also attract those who eat them. I can’t mind, really. The hawk […]
Feed the Birds
Coming up with that title made me think of my favorite song from Mary Poppins. “Feed the Birds” has a whole different mood from the others—less “Disneyish” if you will. Apparently P. L. Travers agreed, and it’s reported to be what won her over to making the movie. But my point isn’t the song or […]
Elaine Burnes 