The days are turning to summer in the mountains, but the mornings are still cool and delightful up on the trails. It’s rhododendron season in Appalachian. Such a lush and lovely time of year!
Category Archives: Nature
Monday Meanderings – Almost Heaven
Today I’m in WV spending the day with my nine-year-old niece. Which means my meanderings are a little more, well, meandering! But I still got some gorgeous photos to share!
Monday Meanderings – Mountain Laurel
Dad’s favorite flower was Mountain Laurel. I’m pretty partial to it as well. Saturday’s hike took us high on the mountain through a laurel hell, which is pure heaven when it’s in bloom! Here are some highlights.
Monday Meanderings
It’s a rare weekend that we don’t take Thistle for a good, long meander through the mountains. So I thought I’d start sharing snippets of our walks with YOU come Monday. A good way to start the week, I think. This is what we call Fairy Tale Trail. If you wonder why, just check outContinue reading “Monday Meanderings”
Appalachian Thursday – 17-Year Plague
As if 2020 hasn’t been hard enough already. The east coast–specifically NC, WV, and VA (how did TN opt out?)–are due for the emergence of the 17-year cicada. Folks often call them locusts, but they’re really Magicicada periodical cicadas. Wow–what a name! The 13-year and 17-year types fall into this category and they’re identified byContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – 17-Year Plague”
Oh right–this happens EVERY year
Over the weekend I draped my peonies in an old sheet to keep them from getting nipped by frost. The last frost date for our part of the mountains is May 15 but we’ve had such a lovely spring that lots of folks jumped the gun with their spring planting. Sure enough, Saturday night droppedContinue reading “Oh right–this happens EVERY year”
Taking Refuge in Poetry
April is National Poetry Month, which seems particularly fitting this April. I’ve been reading a fair amount of Wendell Berry’s poetry lately. Always a favorite, his work is a particularly welcome refuge these strange days. And, reading his poetry usually makes me want to dig back into my own. So here, for poetry month, isContinue reading “Taking Refuge in Poetry”
My Antidote to the World These Days
I’ve pretty much given up watching the news. Or reading it. I have a few, trusted sources I check in with–but not too often. Instead, I’ve been reading Wendell Berry’s poetry. It’s been my go-to antidote for all sorts of challenges over the years (following a healthy dose of Scripture and prayer!). Here’s the oneContinue reading “My Antidote to the World These Days”
Appalachian Thursday – False Spring
Spring approaches in the mountains in fits and starts. Days in February alternate between bone-chilling cold and balmy. Sunday was in the 60s and sunny, Thursday in the 30s with snow. But the signs are here trying to trick us! Our neighbors’ yard is dotted with crocuses. Purple, white, and yellow cups accept sunshine andContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – False Spring”
Appalachian Thursday – the care and feeding of elk
When we visit the farm in West Virginia we ALWAYS see deer. Lots of deer. But elk? Well, there are some at the Wildlife Center we drive past on our way in. And yes, I did try to trick my husband by pointing one out the first time we drove by as if seeing elkContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – the care and feeding of elk”
