Category: Nature
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Artful Use for Rocks: Building a raised stone path
I use the rocks here to make my paints, but I also use them in other practical ways – and it’s still artful use! I’m building a raised stone path in my garden. Rockwork in a way is like using … Read the rest “Artful Use for Rocks: Building a raised stone path”
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Plant Walk & Nature Journaling at Wild Ozark
There are other Arkansas nature experiences, but this one is probably a little different. The trails we’ll follow are deer trails and logging roads. The drive to get here is gorgeous. And the biodiversity here at Wild Ozark is incredible. … Read the rest “Plant Walk & Nature Journaling at Wild Ozark”
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Spring Wildflower Walkabout
Today I took a spring wildflower walkabout. Mostly, I wanted to see if the Showy Orchid was up yet. I thought maybe there’d be at least some leaves. There was nothing. I’d have to check daily to catch them at … Read the rest “Spring Wildflower Walkabout”
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The Earliest Ozark Spring Flowers
So far, the earliest Ozark spring flowers I’ve noticed have been the endemic Ozark witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis). Wriggly tendrils of yellow and orange add little splashes of color to the otherwise barren winter landscape, usually in February … Read the rest “The Earliest Ozark Spring Flowers”
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Lively Little Waterfall
When there’s rainwater runoff, we have a lively little waterfall. It splashes down right at the edge of our driveway and flows across it to the creek. It usually only flows at a trickle, so only keeps the ground wet. … Read the rest “Lively Little Waterfall”
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Ozark Winter Walkabout
Yesterday it was almost 60*F, and inspired a little walkabout in the Ozark winter to see how the pond and creeks looked, and our little driveway glacier. For the past few days, the temperatures have been mild, above freezing. But … Read the rest “Ozark Winter Walkabout”
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Our Little Driveway Glacier
At the lowest point on our driveway, there is a spring that seeps. During winters, the seep still flows. And as it does, our little driveway glacier grows. The water spreads out over the driveway and freezes into a large … Read the rest “Our Little Driveway Glacier”
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Frozen Fingers on a Beautiful, Brutally Cold Morning
It’s another beautifully brutally cold morning here at Wild Ozark. After bundling up to go out and feed the horses and chickens, I glanced at the package of Hot Hands and decided, nah, I’ll only be a few minutes. Twenty … Read the rest “Frozen Fingers on a Beautiful, Brutally Cold Morning”
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Owl Spotting Day
Before the snow began the other day, I needed to go into town to inspect one of the properties I have listed. That turned out to be a great Owl spotting day. On the way down the driveway, the dripping … Read the rest “Owl Spotting Day”
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Snow Days at Wild Ozark
The past two days have been declared Snow Days at Wild Ozark. It’s been brutally cold, but today the temperatures have warmed up to 46*F so far and it is bright and sunny outside. I haven’t been outside much because … Read the rest “Snow Days at Wild Ozark”
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Nature is Both Brutal and Beautiful
Beautiful brutality are two words that seem at odds with each other, right? But that’s exactly what the natural world really is – Nature is both brutal AND beautiful. Even the parts most people would consider ugly is still beautiful … Read the rest “Nature is Both Brutal and Beautiful”
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Fiction influenced by Nature
This is a post I wrote in 2014 on this same date. I’ve added an update in italics, and a paragraph at the end about the current situation concerning my (lack of) writing. But re-reading this post makes me want … Read the rest “Fiction influenced by Nature”
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It feels like winter
Well, sooner or later ever year there comes a point where it feels like winter has arrived. This week here at Wild Ozark marked that point. It’s been 19*F some mornings, but this morning was 24*F and that is plenty … Read the rest “It feels like winter”
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Earth Tone Wall Art to Bring Nature Inside
Earth Tone wall art brings a sense of calm, peace, and connectedness to a room. How does it manage to do this? Nature itself features earthy colors. So when you see them reflected in your surroundings, if you love being … Read the rest “Earth Tone Wall Art to Bring Nature Inside”
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Check the Spring Tank
When it’s a drought, we monitor our water usage more closely than when it isn’t so dry outside. When it gets like this, before I do anything that uses a lot of water, like washing clothes, I take a hike … Read the rest “Check the Spring Tank”
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Checking the Spring Seep
The ‘Seep’ is where the ground stays wet on the far end of the horse’s field. Since it’s been so dry, I wondered if it had dried up too. Because if that spot is dry, then the creek is going … Read the rest “Checking the Spring Seep”
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Northern Lights in the Ozarks
I’d always wanted to see the aurora borealis, and this year I’ve seen it twice. Northern Lights in the Ozarks are pretty rare to see. How did this Happen? These colors are the result of the electrons from the sun … Read the rest “Northern Lights in the Ozarks”
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The Things I See at Wild Ozark
The other day as I was driving to the office for work, I saw a beaver at the second bridge. I stopped to watch it and took some video. Then on the way home that day, I saw deer, mostly … Read the rest “The Things I See at Wild Ozark”
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Experiencing Nature and the Rule of 3
There’s a technique for dealing with anxiety that involves observation. It goes by many different names, but the one I know by is called the Rule of 3. I’ve found it to be excellent, not only for anxiety, but also … Read the rest “Experiencing Nature and the Rule of 3”
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How to Add Nature to Your Life
Research shows that having a connection to nature is beneficial to mental health, and those who spend time outdoors are likely also enjoying physical benefits. But, those who either live in cities, don’t like the usual ways people experience … Read the rest “How to Add Nature to Your Life”
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Often Heard, But Seldom Seen
I have a short list of critters that are often heard, but seldom seen. The spring peeper in the featured image for this post is on that list. I was thrilled to finally get to see one so I could … Read the rest “Often Heard, But Seldom Seen”
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Random Nature Connection – Resistance to Change
This is an older post, from 2015 about resistance to change. With so much change in the air these days, it felt like a good time to repost an old post. When I see the ice lifting tiny rocks and … Read the rest “Random Nature Connection – Resistance to Change”
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What Constitutes Nature?
When you think of ‘nature’, you’re probably thinking of green spaces, trees, creeks, rivers, etc. But what else could that word encompass? This post is about questions pertaining to perspective and perception; about what constitutes nature. Gloria is probably more … Read the rest “What Constitutes Nature?”
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Seeing the Milky Way & Scorpio Constellations
After dark last night, we sat on our balcony and waited for our eyes to adjust. Seeing the Milky Way is always special, even here where we can see it often. The night was perfect for viewing – the moon … Read the rest “Seeing the Milky Way & Scorpio Constellations”
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Paintings Made From Rocks and Rock Art in Arkansas
If you’re a friend of mine in real life or through social media, you likely know by now that I’ve been making paint from rocks. And by extension, that means, paintings made from rocks. It’s not painting ON rocks. Paint … Read the rest “Paintings Made From Rocks and Rock Art in Arkansas”
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