I am, of course, making an assumption about the consistency of this Long-tailed Weasel’s fur, as I have never had the opportunity to touch one, and likely will never get it. But looking at this animal’s pelt, the thought suggests itself. The ground squirrel who has just made a lucky escape likely felt the weasel’s … Continue reading Velvety Weasel
Better late than never! It took a looong time for us to visit this regionally and nationally renowned Denver destination that opened in its first iteration in 1951, but we finally made it on July 21. We don’t particularly like to drive to and in Denver, Colorado’s capital city, because traffic is atrocious, despite (or … Continue reading Welcome to Denver Botanic Gardens!
The mere fact that such an aspirational noun was invented to describe the odour of dry earth freshly kissed by rain tells me that this aroma is pleasing to us humans. In order to appreciate it, I do not necessarily have to know that it is caused by volatile oils exuded by plants, and by … Continue reading Yearning for Petrichor
One stimulating aspect of the semi-quincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence has been the revival of an interest in the history and trajectory of this country, as well as the publication of a trove of new books. One such work I learned about while listening to On Point on our local NPR … Continue reading Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose: John Quincy Adams
As we are enjoying the four* different species of hummingbirds that frequent our garden each summer (well, mostly enjoying, except for their regular acts of aggression towards one another—mostly by males, they just can’t help themselves), I think back to some truly enchanting encounters with these marvels exactly one year ago. In early August 2025, … Continue reading Hummingbird Magic
tanja britton 