Category: Nature
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Snow
The woods are pleasant, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. –Robert Frost [Our tiny forest. Our front yard. Photo is mine.] I can think of nothing in nature more calming, soothing and tranquil than standing in a…
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When Sand Turns Cold: Between The Seasons
[The Lake Colby Beach in Saranac Lake, NY. Photo is mine.] This is an odd time of the year. The autumn colors are past peak (yes, there are a few places where the reds are blinding and the yellows can bring tears to your eyes)…but the peak foliage in its intensity is essentially gone until…
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Sitting In Another Cemetery
[Me gazing at the soccer game. Photo credit: Mariam Voutsis] You, my readers, may think I’m a bit morose and morbid. My last post was about Evergreen Cemetery, in my home town of Owego, NY. But, if you think that I am very dark, you’re wrong. Yes, I have a strong nostalgic mind. But today…
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Are You Overly Concerned About Dinoflagellates?
[Bioluminescence at night on a beach. Photo source: Google search.] You find yourself sitting up in bed at 2:30 am and thinking of dinoflagellates, the Valium hasn’t kicked in, your partner is in REM sleep and softly mumbling Bono Bono and your supply of Sleepy Time Tea has been deleted…you’re not alone. I, too, suffer…
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The Two Faces of the Summer Solstice
[Summer Sunrise over the Heel Stone at Stonehenge. Photo source: Google Search] A short time ago a friend posted this on Facebook: Hooray! Only 59 Days Until The Summer Solstice! Most of us know that the Solstice marks the first day of summer. It’s a moment when the sun rays are directly overhead at 23.5°…
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Languid June
[Languid June As Seen From Our Back Deck.] Languid June. Languid June. The name has a certain ring to it. Like Lay Down Sally, Calamity Jane, Black-Eyed Susan, Axis Sally, Typhoid Mary and Moaning Myrtle. I chose the title of this post with care. I do believe that I saw a Sad-Eyed Lady at the corner…
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The Robin’s Nest
[The nest after being moved from the lamp] [American Robin: Turdus migratorius.] I’m sure it was a Robin’s nest. Every time Mariam or I would use the front deck entrance (with a screen door that slammed louder than the front gate of Alcatraz), a bird with a rusty breast would scold us from a nearby branch…
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Staring Down at 72
[A post card image from Inkognito.] As I write this post the weather here at Rainbow Lake is unsettled. Windy with thunder in the distance. I fell asleep in the screened-in porch last night listening to heavy rains falling. I’m staring at a calendar (The kitchen wall calendar…this year: Japanese prints). I see that I…
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Smoke and Paper
Everyone knows about the effect smoke can have on…well, nearly everything. Smoke damage can be responsible for the loss of furniture, art, clothes and so many other objects. Cigarette smoke is truly an evil presence. Before the smoking ban in pubs of NYC, I would come home stinking of the left-over Marlboros. It was disgusting…
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In The Land of Pooh, The Badger, King Arthur and Beyond: The Excursionist XIII Finale
magic (n) A mysterious quality of enchantment. England is a land of mystery, magic and myth. It is a land of legends of kings and villains of all sorts. Consider this quote: As one wakened suddenly from a beautiful dream, who struggles to recall it, and can recapture nothing but a dim sense of…
patrickjegan 