The once lethargic and hushed landscape became frenetic and boisterous with the jubilant sound of chirping and twittering birds who seemed to have a season’s worth of gossip to share. The squirrels too descended in mass from the trees to forage and romp. The landscape had come alive and…

The Evergreen boughs arched and flexed as the Oaks stooped and ached, arthritic under the grievous weight of the heavy, wet snow.  Conditions were treacherous.  Nature steeled itself while we were left helpless and seemingly ill prepared.   As we begin digging ourselves out and clearing our walkways and drives, we…

  The silvery lace of morning frosts shimmered in the rising sun before the landscape became gilded in the warm, golden embrace of October’s aura.  Colorful leaves quaked and swayed against the crisp blue sky before floating towards the ground.  These are the glory days, the golden days – the height…

  The winds of change are in the air, almost palpable, as our attention begins to shift from Summer and its carefree nature to the more frenetic, frenzied schedule of Fall.  Some may say, we use this time to prepare for the long winter months ahead, much like our squirrel friends…

  The Daffodils seemed to stall in the regrettably frosty air.  Burgeoning buds appeared deflated, and the stunning lack of green and warmth grew increasingly depressing.  The promise of Spring felt distant as April earned a well-deserved time out.   Every Spring is different.  Every year I complain.  Will Spring ever really…

    Hastening through the prairie, rustling and rattling the tall grasses like a predator stalking her pray, Autumn slinks forward, lying in wait.  She will soon pounce and make herself known.   The official start of Autumn is merely a stone’s throw away, and it is a busy time in our…

  The air was silken and sweet as the velvety curtain of dusk fell, and the few, frothy clouds seemed to dissipate in wake of the sterling, shimmering stars.  It was neither chilly nor warm.  It simply was, and it was beautiful.   Frankly, it’s hard to believe it’s Winter, let alone February…

    Writhing and skulking beneath the ground, nature’s twisted spine heaved forth the soil, leaving cracks and fissures in its wake.  The disturbed earth seemed at once alarmed yet relieved.  Its needs communicated by the subterranean undulations.  Water.     Since Summer’s official arrival, rainfall has been scarce.  Lawns are…

  Sweet June turned sultry quickly, and our every thought, our every word, our every action hung suspended in the thick, dank air.  The sheer weight of the humidity has left our soul and spirit mired and stale.  Sweet June is in a hurry to grow up, her innocence sullied, my…

I believe Mark Twain said it best, “In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside four and twenty hours.”  This may seem like an odd Spring thus far, but I believe it’s as close to normal as anything the Midwest has to offer….

I am thoroughly enjoying Fall and all its precious gifts.  The weather has been nothing short of magical, and the trees do not disappoint.  Every day, a new color reveals itself, and with each blustery gust, our lawns are dappled and decorated.  The sun too has mellowed in its low slung arc, lending a…

Despite the tumultuous weather and irksome rain, Memorial Day marched on and local patriotism would not be quelled.  We honored those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, for the way of life we have come to know and love, and for the greatest country on God’s green earth.  We thank them…