Recently I came across a treasure trove of memories from my childhood, in the form of several boxes of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries. (The actual tally was Hardy Boys 52, Nancy Drew 1. Ol’ Nancy, bless her heart, was just a little too privileged for my taste. […]
Good Natured
When was the last time you had a really good buzz? I’ll tell you one thing-it’s probably more recent than you think. In fact, if you’re a gardener, you’re probably getting buzzed right now. Many species of native bees offer a special service-free of charge!-called buzz pollination. […]
Good Natured
Wow, can you say water, water everywhere? Our wetter-than-usual spring (and, now, summer) have led to puddles and pools in places that aren’t normally all that wet. Birds love it, as they’re able to bathe frequently and keep their feathers in tip-top shape. […]
Good Natured
Native pollinators have been in the news a lot lately and, for the most part, the reports have not been good. Powerful pesticides combined with a lack of suitable habitat and consecutive years of severe weather have taken their toll on these vital organisms. […]
Good Natured
Native pollinators have been in the news a lot lately and, for the most part, the reports have not been good. Powerful pesticides combined with a lack of suitable habitat and consecutive years of severe weather have taken their toll on these vital organisms. […]
Good Natured
Whenever I hear the charming lilt of the house wren, I can’t help but think of Grandpa Atterberry. Save for a stint in the Army in World War I, my mom’s dad was a lifelong farmer in central Illinois, devoted to his country, his family…and house wrens. […]
Good Natured
I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure St. Charles has laws preventing public intoxication. Yet there I was the other night, stumbling in the dark, head back, eyes squinty as I tottered from tree to tree. No doubt about it, I was drunk-entranced by the heady smell of basswood in bloom. […]
Good Natured
Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder (or beer holder, according to a plaque in my family room. But that’s another story.) And this time of year, we certainly have a lot of beauty to behold. But you know what’s really cool? Not all of it is the kind of beauty you see. Some is the kind you hear. […]
Good Natured
I believe it was that little ol’ band from Texas, ZZ Top, that noted, “Every girl crazy ’bout a sharp-dressed man.” As I recall, the 1980-something song explains how things like a clean shirt and new shoes, a silk suit and other accoutrements practically guarantee success with the ladies. […]
Good Natured
Ground bees, as we saw last week, are some of our area’s most beneficial insects. They provide spring flowers with the much-needed service of pollination. But plants aren’t the only organisms that benefit. Humans whose yards are home to ground bees are getting what they need too, whether they realize it or not. […]
Good Natured