In Pursuit of Wonder

Eagerly, I would watch for them in the spring, generally at the beginning of May. When I was a child, I awaited the arrival of these tiny flowers with great anticipation. First I would see the heart shaped leaves in the lawn, mostly under trees, once I spotted the leaves…

Out on my morning walks in spring, I often hear the distinctive gobble of male turkeys long before I see them.  The wild turkey’s call will carry over a mile, alerting other males to its location and calling females. Their hearing is excellent.  Their eyesight is three times better than…

April 12. The morning was overcast, with sprinkles off and on. I walked in the light showers. There was such a fantastic smell in the air. I delighted in the few sprinkles occasionally colliding with my face bringing refreshment. Turkeys were still calling. As I was returning, the sky seemed…

Crocus Bursting out of the still cold ground dressed brightly and cloaked in purple, white, and yellow they stood defiantly and elegant. A splash of color amongst brown, dead leaves and grass and the remnants of snow banks. Their faces open to the March sunshine. They were fairy cups, delicate…

The first day of spring. The sun smiled down on the earth, warming it with a sweet embrace. The wind whispered secrets softly to the trees, and in response they shuddered with delight and laughter. The sparrows, robins, and juncos joined in the play, lifting their voices in song, chanting…

A desperate need to take a walk in the woods filled me; I was feeling a little downcast and needed some uplifting.  Long before I reached the woods, I delighted in the beauty around me. The buds of the silver maples seemed to be ready to burst at any moment.…

Spring. We anticipate it. Anxiously we await it, even at the start of February with our ridiculous practice of Ground Hog’s day. It officially begins with the vernal equinox on March 20. However, the weather is more of an indication. The first couple of days above freezing gives us hope…

I was in the barn as soon as I could walk. Growing up in the barn, near the cows, cats and dogs shaped my view and love for animals. There was also the occasional bat hanging upside down on the wall and a salamander meandering across the floor that allowed…