I read an interesting essay a few days ago proposing a new word for plants that bloom far earlier than usual — far earlier than they should — as a result of climate change. The word: antevernals. I like it because it has roots that English speakers already know and use in other words: ante and vernal, both from Latin. Continue reading
To the woods again
I arrived home from work tonight with just barely enough time to get my dogs to the woods before nightfall, and once again we were rewarded with an up-close encounter with deer. It was darker this time than last, and I think we caught the white-tail end of the herd’s return to overnight quarters. We weren’t surprised this time — the humans, at any rate, definitely were not, and I think the dogs had the scent as soon as we left our car — but we were no less in wonder at our good fortune. Continue reading
I had tentative plans for a big day today. I canceled them.
It was 0° F once again when I awoke, and after facing the frigid outback that is Chicago for an actual night on the town last night I decided against driving two hours for a nature adventure.
After spending most of the morning at my computer, by noon I was thisclose to beating myself up for wasting away my day. Looking back now, at the start of evening, I realize that I’ve managed to accomplish quite a bit. Here’s what I did: Continue reading
My husband always describes himself as a bit bereft after our young-adult son has left the house to return to his home elsewhere following a visit.
Now I understand.
The two of them have just driven away, headed for the train station, our two-week holiday visit at an end. Bereft I am. Continue reading
I took a walk in the cold, snowy woods this evening. The woods were filled with deer.
It was sublime, a perfect surprise to redeem a frigid week in which I have found myself working long hours in a shiveringly-cold office, missing precious time with my son. Continue reading
That was some moon the other night. I say night, but I didn’t see it until morning. My husband spotted it hanging around just above our garage, a late-night reveler out past curfew, slowly making its way home. I put it in my front windshield and drove with it all the way to work.
I hoped it would be the harbinger of a good day, but it wasn’t. I’ve had better workdays, and shorter ones. By the time I emerged, it was almost nightfall again, and I had missed my only opportunity to take two cooped-up dogs to the park for a few minutes of frolic to break up the monotony of being stuck indoors nearly non-stop during a cold spell that apparently is on pace to tie an all-time record. Continue reading