IF YOU’RE GONNA BE DUMB, YOU GOTTA BE TOUGH

IF YOU’RE GONNA BE DUMB, YOU GOTTA BE TOUGH. In my new book ‘A Wild Path,’ I tell the story of golfing with my buddy Carroll. On the occasion of a foolish and somewhat painful mistake–a ball ricocheting off a pine tree, perhaps, or a shank off a shin–Carroll spoke the memorable words quoted above. I broke up laughing and

A YEAR AGO, I lost a dear friend

A YEAR AGO, I lost a dear friend. David was a good and kind soul with a wise heart, and I enjoyed every moment I ever spent with him. Yesterday I lost my beloved cousin, my brother, Terry, with whom I grew up–a good and kind soul with a wise heart. I enjoyed every moment I ever spent with him.

AN INTERESTING Sunday at the Church O’ The Pines

THIS WAS AN INTERESTING Sunday at the Church O’ The Pines, as after morning services three congregation members we don’t always see showed up together. First there was a beautiful 6-point buck who scattered the squirrels and jays in Fellowship Hall. Just as he moseyed along, an 8-point buck arrived, and moments later a 10-pointer. These two proceeded, nose to

It is below-zero cold

AT THE CHURCH O’ THE PINES it is below-zero cold, as in 10 degrees less than no degrees at all! So Koda the Forest Kitten came out to help the parson-caretaker feed the birds. Who were all gathered in Fellowship Hall, including great numbers of pine siskins and goldfinches. We checked the holy water in the heated bird bath and

Cold January days

ON THESE cold January days, slaving away in the Writing Porch, sometimes one needs a little company. A Forest Kitten perhaps, curled up by the computer. Some smiling orchids in the corner. Or maybe a little tree, a recent rescue, just to watch over thiings and say, “All is well. Roots, rocks, green and living boughs… such things abide, whatever

A light snow fell

AT THE CHURCH O’ THE PINES, a light snow fell in the night, gentle as a benediction. Barely enough to frost the old deacon pines, but the aisles and pews of the forest sanctuary are white, and one can follow the tracks of the congregation members. Of course, many are right here on a cold Sunday morning, hobnobbing in Fellowship

IT IS THE WAY of the world

IT IS THE WAY of the world that things end and things begin. Sunset is followed by sunrise and vice versa. An old tree falls in the woods and young ones reach for new light. A year passes and a new one begins. For many folks the old year, 2023, cannot pass soon enough. It was a hard year—a terrible

THE SUN got out of bed and smiled

THIS MORNING THE SUN got out of bed and smiled, instead of pouting and hiding its face in blankets of clouds. Koda the Forest Kitten is glorying in the golden rays, as are chickadees and blue jays, pileated woodpeckers and gray squirrels. And me!

It has been raining for 40 days and 40 nights

AND SO, when it has been raining for 40 days and 40 nights (for Christmas!) and it will not stop, you go out and make your rounds. And check on everything that needs to be checked on, and chase away the squirrels, and make sure the deer do not get too close to the cabin. Then you come in and

CHRISTMAS SEASON short essay

EVERY CHRISTMAS SEASON for the past several years I have posted this short essay. It has received quite a response—and sometimes some very interesting replies. The essay, by the way, appears in longer form in my new book, A Wild Path. But here it is as I first wrote it, and have shared it on FB in the past: APPROXIMATELY