Category Archives: Nature

Death of a Lawn Mower

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Roger Gosden

The novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald knew that Americans find public expression of their successful lives in a neatly groomed lawn. Jay Gatsby was so horrified at Nick Carroway’s ragged lawn next door that he sent his gardeners over to mow … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, garden, Nature, Other | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Appalachian Poet – Bertie Jane Cutlip

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Roger Gosden

Outside a country store in the Allegheny Mountains, she stood behind a table covered in mason jars of home-made apple jelly and pickles. It was one of those glorious fall days in West Virginia, so I lingered to buy some … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, West Virginia | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

There’ll Be Bluebirds Over

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Roger Gosden

The American composer of “There’ll be Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover” either had the excuse of poetic license or didn’t know that bluebirds are absent from the British Isles. But the song became one of one of Dame … Continue reading →

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Why So Many Hollow Trees?

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Roger Gosden

According to legend, Robin Hood and his Merry Men hid from their pursuers in a hollow tree in Sherwood Forest during the harsh reign of King John (1199-1219). The tree still stands, albeit courtesy of props and wires, and called … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Nature, Trees | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Dawn Chorus—Requiem for a Birder

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Roger Gosden

The last hour of the night seems darkest after tossing and turning to wake from strange dreams with a pounding heart. But there is a spell that can cast off the pall if we listen at an open window in … Continue reading →

Posted in Animalia, Environment, Nature | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments