Winter is drawing to a close. I feel it here, in Oklahoma, although people living in the northeastern and north central United States may not
agree! For the South, Mardi Gras is in full swing.

We haven’t had much of a winter as far as weather in my state, but that’s not all there is to winter. Shortened hours of daylight, lengthy nights. The need to bundle up (even if it’s only a jacket)
and to wear gloves and a …

This time of year, we all are working hard to stay healthy and keep that awful flu bug far, far away. One of the things we often do is take extra
doses of Vitamin C. Today, we’re looking a little deeper into the natural source of Vitamin C – citrus fruits.

“Lemons, oranges, limes, mandarins, kumguats, pomelos and grapefruit are all citrus fruits. Citric acid gives them all their characteristic sharp flavor.

“The Chinese …

It’s a gray morning today, but according to the weather people, we’re headed for a high temp this afternoon in the low Sixties. Doesn’t seem much like
winter in my part of the world. But then, I’m not complaining after a few very chilly lows in the teens just a few days ago.

I’ve dug out some verses from well-known poets, including Shakespeare, which speak to our more tradiitonal thoughts of winter. Perhaps, in your part of the world, this …

For the past 14 months, I’ve been writing and sharing  tidbits about Nature with you. I’ve shared meditations, ways to connect, some of my own
experiences, some discoveries, and even some stories I’ve written. It occurs to me I have not shared some of the ways you can experience nature personnally – as a volunteer. Today’s blog is
devoted to the topic of ‘making it real’ – as a volunteer.

You don’t …

It’s winter, and often the world around us is white with snow and ice. Many animals completely change their coloring during winter, a way to protect
them from predators, or make it easier for them to sneak up on their own prey. Also, winter is a time when animals adapt in other ways to live more successfully in their environment.

As we approach the mid-winter mark, here are a few more interesting facts about what is going on in the …

Today’s quote is one that I have read and reread. The word Awful has a certain connotation to those who speak the English language, and yet, if
you break down the word, doesn’t it mean full of Awe? Isn’t Awe a good thing? How did the word Awful became distorted to mean something terrible, even disastrous?

In fact, when I check the dictionary, I find that the second and third meanings of Awful are ‘commanding awe’ and ‘full of awe’. Yet …

Thanks to Discovery News for this latest update about one of the strangest creatures on the planet – and one we know little about – the giant squid.

“The recent unprecedented video footage of a giant squid filmed in its deep ocean habitat has renewed interest in the enormous — and yet still mysterious — species.

“It’s believed that giant squid (genus Architeuthis) can grow up to 55 feet long. The individual captured on video via a small submarine located in the North Pacific Ocean …

If you’re like me, sometimes, on a cold winter day, I just want to ‘hibernate’ – to stay in my warm bed and let the world go on without me. Can you imagine doing that for four to six months of every year? In today’s post, discussion turns to many animals who prefer hibernation rather than a miserable winter of food shortages and freezing weather.

Found this great thought today. Although I can’t say I’ve camped in the ‘wild’ which this writer may have in mind, I’ve done my share of camping. I’ve experienced the sense
of wonder, excitement tinged with fear, and the thrill of a campfire as it chases away – and makes – the shadows. There is something internal in humans requiring an occasional
campfire. Electric lights don’t do it!

See if today’s quote evokes any special memories!
…

Expect to smile, expect to snicker. Today’s post is full of tidbits provided by the Farmers’ Almanac. Enjoy!

If your feet start to itch for no apparent reason, you’ll soon start a journey to a new place.

“If you can’t be kind, at least be vague.” –Judith Martin, American columnist, “Miss Manners”

A dream of clear water foretells happiness.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” –Martin Luther …