Columns
It’s not what St. Patrick used, but today’s three-leaved shamrock can make a nice houseplant
St. Patrick is believed to have used a three-leaf clover to explain the complexity of the Trinity to nonbelievers in 5th century Ireland. Ever since, the shamrock has been revered by the Irish and held as a symbol of good luck. The word shamrock is derived from the Celtic word seamróg, ...
5W Wednesdays
McKibben explores big questions in memoir
In 2005, environmental activist Bill McKibben wrote “Wandering Home,” a chronicle of his journey from Vermont to his Adirondack residence in Johnsburg. The optimistic subtitle of the book is “A Long Walk Across America’s Most Hopeful Landscape.” That hope is mostly gone in ...
Tales of the maple linemen: A sweet story
I grew up in farm country and one thing I learned was that I never wanted to be a farmer. I occasionally helped my farmer friends during the haying season and quickly learned how hard they worked. Fast forward 60 years and guess what I’ve become? A farmer of sorts: I farm trees for maple ...
Parental regret
I was recently talking with a friend about parental do-overs. We all have those moments when we wish to take back our words or actions. Those feelings apply to our everyday lives, not just parenting. Whatever the circumstances, wiping the slate clean seems easier than figuring out the ...