Bee Watching in Your Own Backyard
There's a whole diverse world of tiny critters that call our backyards home that I find quite fascinating to watch, especially when I can get up close and really observe their behaviors.
August Days of Note, and an Egyptian Snake Goddess
To the Ojibwe, this month brings the ricing moon; in Minnesota the wild rice harvest season begins August 15, in accordance with the 1854 Treaty Authority—but only if it's ripe, and only for those who have the proper permits. To the Anglo-Saxons, the new moon visible on Aug. 24 begins Weodmonath, meaning month of plants.
Snake Holidays This Month Nurture Understanding, Quell Fears
This is the Year of the Snake, and July 16 was World Snake Day. July 29 brings another snake holiday, Nag Panchami. I'm going to tell you a little bit about both of them, but first let me tell you why I'm calling attention to these particular holidays.
Garden Plans Must Adapt to Uninvited Guests
The garden box was going to house three tomato plants, but when I saw all the poppy volunteers, I realized there was only room for one.
Catnip—A Surprisingly Useful Herb
Catnip has long been known to have medicinal benefits for humans, mainly as a soothing tonic when made into a tea, but new to me are its insect-repellent properties, which may explain why natural selection favored cats that like to roll on it.
July Celebrations: Blueberry time, Nation Founding, Saving Snakes, and More
To the Ojibwe people of central North America, the full moon on July 10 is the Blueberry Moon. Also occurring this month, which is still the Year of the Snake: two snake holidays.
Morning Rituals
These days my morning routine often comprises thinking about all the things various experts have recommended to do before breakfast, then getting dressed and eating breakfast.
The Delight of Open Windows
A few years ago, we had a big gray-and-white cat named Tres who loved to nap in open windows on warm, breezy summer days, belly pressed against the screen.
Decoding Ancient Secrets: A mini zine about Mary Stuart’s cryptic letters
The story was like something out of a historical romance novel: ancient epistles written in a secret code, and a hapless queen fated to be executed for getting mixed up in a plot to assassinate her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
June Days of Note and Other Calendrical Miscellanea
This month is named for the Roman goddess Juno, wife/partner of Jupiter; queen of the heavens; protector of women, childbirth, and marriage. Read on to learn about the Anglo Saxon name for the month (which begins today, May 28), China’s dragon boat festival, Greenland’s National Day, a week to celebrate pollinators, the story of Pride Month, and assorted other commemorations.