Down by the Riverside
The river. Hot and lazy under July sun. If I happen to feel like a swim, though, it’s a long stumble over sunbaked rocks for a hundred yards to get to the water. I stub my toes a dozen times. A persistent horsefly circles my head, buzzing evilly. When I finally reach the water, it’s brownish, murky, lukewarm. Heaven. I wouldn’t trade my river (the Schoharie Creek in upstate New York) for a thousand swimming pools with crystal turquoise water. I’ll take the smell of river mud over chlorine any day. Crayfish nibbling my bare feet? Dragonflies whizzing past? Not a problem. But wait. What about...
Read MoreSunflowers on the Menu
Charlie’s Diner. Coffee, cream, no sugar. Two fried eggs over easy. Whole wheat toast with strawberry jam. Sunflowers. Every summer this great old diner has sunflowers in pots outside the restaurant, to cheer the travelers whizzing by on Route 20. And every year the sunflowers shoot up, dwarfing the pots, and produce giant suns of flowers. And of course birds adore sunflower seeds, so avian travelers stop by and help themselves to a beakful of seeds. Sunflowers to go. Last year, a few seeds must have fallen into this crack in the pavement. And with all the rain we’ve had, the seeds sprouted....
Read MoreThe Road Not Taken
Driving home from central New York, and I try to get on the NYS Thruway at exit 32, about halfway between Albany and Buffalo. Hm. There’s a huge line of traffic getting on the Thruway. I’ve often spent time waiting to get off the highway, but never getting on to it. When I finally get to the tollbooth, turns out there’s an accident eastbound, and the Thruway is closed. (Seems as though they could put up a sign or something, but never mind, it’s too hot to quibble. Just be glad you’re not the one in the accident.) So, muttering under my breath, I get out the map...
Read MoreJewelweed: Poison Ivy Cure?
Can jewelweed cure poison ivy? It’s been used for centuries as a poison ivy remedy, but results differ depending on who’s using it.
Read MorePoison Ivy: Jumping to Conclusions
Quick! Is this plant poison ivy? Now I’m afraid I get testy when I hear people pointing out perfectly harmless plants as poison ivy–I’ve heard people swear that a maple tree (with reddish leaves) or a raspberry bush or a geranium was a deadly plant to avoid. I’m convinced that one of the many reasons kids are so reluctant to go outdoors is that they think everything with a leaf is poison ivy. In this case, though, I can’t get all snitty because it fooled me, too. I would have to humbly pardon the person who called this plant poison ivy. It’s the best darn imitation I’ve ever...
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