Category: nature
Spring
Spring is a marching band. At first the ground is cold. The earth, parts of it, are still sleeping from winter. Buds flower and awaken pollinators and people. Action is the call of spring. Movement is the motion. It is more yang than yin. We leave the yin of winter for the yang of spring.… Continue reading Spring
Birds in the marsh
As I told my cat, there were birds in the water, in the brush, in the trees, in the sky, on the ground. They were in all directions. And some were singing. That is all you need to know. But, if you want more, hitch alongside an Audubon group walk. This walk was here, the… Continue reading Birds in the marsh
Content
Content means substance; meaning. It also means satisfaction. If you were a tiny creature, abandoned by the side of a road, you could become an ambassador. Even a teacher. If you were once healthy but suffered an injury, this is another way to become an ambassador. This happens to beavers, porcupines, whales, owls, and even… Continue reading Content
Beaver State
Beavers are a keystone species. They create wetlands that support a rich diversity of life. Many animals and insects benefit from the efforts of beavers, including salmon, frogs, turtles, birds, otter, deer, elk, and dragonflies. Oregon is the beaver state. It is the only state with a two-sided flag, and one side is dedicated to… Continue reading Beaver State
Mildred Kanipe
Mildred Kanipe lived life on her own terms. She was born on the family ranch in Oakland, Oregon, September 30th, 1907. She lived in the same house until shortly before her death in 1983. The family house did not change much from her childhood. It never had an indoor bathroom. At some point electricity was… Continue reading Mildred Kanipe
Myrtlewood
At a low point during the Great Depression, banks closed. When that happened, people got creative with money. North Bend, Oregon, got really creative. In 1933, they made a tree into wooden coins to use for money. Specifically, they made $1, $2, $5, $10 wooden coins out of myrtlewood. Other towns were more traditional and… Continue reading Myrtlewood
Floating
Today I needed reasons. I needed reasons to feel balanced. To balance on water, to be small on a big lake allows this to happen for me. The planet is old. It has wisdom, not through words but through presence. I just skitter around on it without listening most of the time. So I packed… Continue reading Floating
Mt. Baldy (Ridgeline trail)
Standing around in 38-degree weather is a little painful but it’s worth it to learn stuff about nature while on a guided Eugene First Saturday Park Walk. Things learned on the group hike: 1. It is unnaturally difficult to control nature. 2. Staying on trails is environmentally respectful. 3. Vote to fund parks and public… Continue reading Mt. Baldy (Ridgeline trail)
The Yew
(Published in Take Root magazine, Winter 2020) The Pacific Yew is a quiet, understated tree. In fact, it is considered an “understory” tree. It doesn’t get that tall and is beneath what are called “overstory” trees (the tall ones). Maybe you are reading the recent novel about trees, The Overstory, by Richard Powers. Throughout history… Continue reading The Yew