When the well is dry, we know the worth of water. – Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanac, 1746 H2O is a simple chemical symbol – two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen in each molecule. H2O – water – without which life would not exist. We have such an abundance of water, don’t …
You haven’t lived until you’ve sailed. — David Sedaris, Theft by Finding: Diaries Winter’s frosty grip has most of us yearning for the warming horizons of an approaching spring. It just can’t come soon enough. For others, cold icy conditions provide passage to nirvana. It’s a restless anticipation. They can’t wait to go sailing – …
Graduation. Marriage. Retirement. These are some of the many milestones in life we anticipate. But there is one significant milestone that is not commonly shared. Some along Nova Scotia’s South Shore celebrate its advent. They’re a piece of living history. They’re centenarians or super centenarians. Living to 100 years old, or more, is no easy …
“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” — Alexander Smith Who doesn’t appreciate a warm embracing smooch? Especially this time of year. The pleasure for puckering up is as simple as placing yourself under that sprig of fauna known as mistletoe. A parasitic plant Mistletoe is not a single plant but rather a …
Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions; they pass no criticisms. — George Eliot Sometimes, in the bustle of the holiday season preparations, we forget about the furry, heart-warming companions close to our hearts: our pets. This year, let us be mindful about how festive celebrations by humans affects pets, and let us …
Climate change is what we expect, weather is what we get — Mark Twain These are not words spoken by a present-day climatologist or environmentalist. In fact, they were uttered in the 1800s by one of America’s most inspiring writers, Samuel Clements (alias Mark Twain). The present-day truth of his words would have him bemused. …
Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex (commonly known as T. rex) is an amazing discovery. She is named after her discoverer, Sue Hendrickson, an American explorer and fossil collector. Sue discovered the remains while she was excavating on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in 1990, near the city of Faith in north central South Dakota. The dinosaur is …
“Anyone could see that the wind was a special wind this night, and the darkness took on a special feel because it was All Hallows’ Eve.” — Ray Bradbury This is a story about Jack… Stingy Jack that is. He was known to be a miserable soul. He didn’t have any friends, with good reason. …
“Sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste” – William Shakespeare Weeds. You either like them or you don’t. Unarguably, some weeds are a beauty to behold. Who would cringe upon seeing a field of yellow dandelions or a flowering swamp of milkweed? It all depends on your perspective – how one defines beauty. As …
“The wildest and richest gardens that we have” – Henry David Thoreau So wrote Henry David Thoreau when speaking of wetlands. This 19th-century philosopher, poet, and essayist loved wetlands, particularly swamps. He wrote about them often in his poetry. For him, they were a source of intricate beauty and life: nature in its purest, untamed …
