Read our latest Essays
Are dandelion haters just slaves to modern fashion?
By Jill Severn -- Today a friend asked a good question: At what age do we stop thinking dandelions are wonderful? Whatever it is, it’s a very sad occasion. Who among us doesn’t remember the childhood discovery of the roundest, yellowest, gladdest flower in the...
Audubon Day — it’s not for the birds, but the man
John James Audubon, born to French parents, emigrated to the United States in the 1800s and became North America's foremost ornithologist, naturalist and chronicler of birds. His paintings and his life inspired the Audubon Society, dedicated to protecting waterbird...
Caught in a pink blossom blizzard, and more coming
By Jill Severn -- My neighbor’s flowering cherry tree had a pink blossom blizzard this morning. It didn’t take much wind to set it off; the tree has been blooming its heart out for about a week, and all those petals were ready to let go and fly through the air. It’s a...
Holiday letter: keeping up with the Swenson family
Well, it’s that time of year again. Time to haul out the writing pad and let you know what happened to the Swenson family this past year. I hope you look forward to getting our annual …