Valerie Blaine
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Winter weather brings out the best in the hardy, humble witch-hazelDec 17, 2020 7:46 am - “I cherish a witch-hazel kind of day, a scrap of color, a light in the window when winter is closing all around.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer Tis the season for Christmas tre...
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The Nature of Things: Osage-orange tree has flourished for centuries with its many usesNov 04, 2020 5:30 am - “Monkey brains!” the kids exclaimed as we reached the old dirt road. I was leading an outdoor school program, and it took me a moment to realize the students were referr...
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Fit for man and beast: Black cherry tree has multiple uses for both humans and wildlifeSep 19, 2020 8:38 am - Black cherry is a venerable species often overlooked in our woods and gardens. Black cherry trees don't reach the dimensions of walnut trees, nor do they have the longe...
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Losing track of the seasons? Find your bearings by heading outdoorsAug 22, 2020 7:57 am - The calendar must be wrong. August? It can't be August already! Since March, the pandemic has knocked down one after another seasonal signpost, like the last day of scho...
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Why native plants are better for your backyard - and the prairieJul 01, 2020 6:42 am - Picture a field of tall Queen Anne's lace bending in the summer breeze. Honeybees are buzzing around sweet clover at the edge of the field, and small cabbage white butte...
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When you see a wildflower, thank an antMay 31, 2020 8:13 am - Ants have never made it to the “most loved insect” list. I venture to guess that the average Joe hates ants. While ants inside our homes means trouble, the presence of n...
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New season sees yellow-rumped warbler making a stop on migration northApr 24, 2020 6:39 am - We all need survival strategies in these stressful, scary times. My preferred coping method is binge-watching. Not on the couch staring at a screen, but outside, watchin...
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What's in a name? When it comes to plants and animals, quite a bitMar 19, 2020 6:29 am - Naming is a human obsession. When we see a thing, we have to know its name. If it doesn't have a name, we have to give it one. We've been naming things for eons, so you'...
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Why the loon's iconic call says so muchFeb 20, 2020 5:19 am - "That's it!" I exclaimed, tossing the remote control on the couch. "One more misplaced loon and I'm going to ..." - well, write an article. The straw that broke the cam...
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Show squirrels some love on their special day: Squirrel Appreciation DayJan 23, 2020 5:18 am - The much-hyped holidays of December leave many people in a funk come January. If you're one of those suffering from the January blahs, never fear. There's a special day ...
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