“It’s About to Get Exciting”. With little sunlight left, Sue’s words echoed in my ears as the rubber hit the pavement, err, the crushed limestone, and our trio pedaled out of Marlinton, West Virginia. I felt my cold legs snap awake and warm up as my pace quickened, aiming to reach our campsite before dark. Moments before, we dragged our stiff limbs out of the … Continue reading Bearness
Every minute counts And every summer does too As the storm hits the shoreline Blowing a loon onto the beach He stays quiet with his head tucked between his wings While you watch him from the balcony You’re careful not to let the dog get too close By the third sunrise, the loon is alert And watching those that fly overhead On the long drive … Continue reading Gas Station Brownie
Almost four years ago, my father died after several years of poor health. I’m cleaning out what’s left of his belongings this month at his house in Kent. Lucky me, my relatives did most of the heavy lifting. Almost all the furniture is gone except a couple of lamps and an end table and old dresser that was used to store photographs in the basement. … Continue reading Collections
Like those who arrive at a new place, The river is a thief. Uprooting the soil along the banks, Underneath the road, It reclaims its wash. Growing stronger with ice floats and snow melts, Come back, the river says, to who you are. I hunker down for the winter and like Virginia, I glaze over the shades of gray between the hours. The heat of … Continue reading A River’s Ransom
“The Bros” as Sue had dubbed them, leap-frogged us several times on day 2 as we headed west from Confluence to West Newton. We had just arrived at the Trailside restaurant when The Bros rolled in to purchase some craft beer. After the obligatory conversation openers (Where’d you start from? Where ya headed?), the conversation revealed that Sue, I, and the three bearded, hip young … Continue reading People Forget
(Photo credit: Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve Staff) Given these times, It’s fun to think that just last fall A flash of orange discovery was the frozen flesh of a monarch. I rushed to save her. Nailpolish, they said. My stomach turned. Instead, respite from the cooler temps and sugar water squeezed into cotton and sprinkled on leaves. In a small container, locked in the den, … Continue reading A Race to Texas
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to lead a hike through one of the Columbus Metro Parks. It was a balmy 60 degrees and the scent of spring things infiltrated the woods that our group entered just before dusk. Some of the forty-some people came alone, some came or met up with friends, and they all came to be outside in the woods under the warm, … Continue reading Hiking with Strangers and Throwing Rocks
Great legs Scioto Marbled into maps White tail, coyote, beaver, and heron A place where the river pulls away from the road The wheels hush it away We pull over on this silent night Rippling like stars in another sky Continue reading Great Legs
Each leaf that fell in the stream landed as a stroke of color from a paint brush lands on canvas, covering the brownish muddied water with random red, orange and brown hues, while we spoke in hushed tones, outside the circle of students that were there to learn about the river. “Do you know which kids can’t have their photos taken today?” I asked him. … Continue reading Random Sinuosity
Two weeks ago a friend predicted it. He said he knew. Last snow! This is it. Ohio is now ready for spring. Chidings on Facebook ridiculed his smug assertion, but we all secretly hoped he was right. We were ready for it, restless for it. Like a kid who anxiously waits for the last day of school, I … Continue reading Last Snow
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