Month: May 2025

Sycamore trees have distinctive bark.  It has a mottled appearance that makes those unfamiliar with sycamores wonder after the health of the tree.  As there are a lot of sycamores in our neighborhood, all of which seem to be thriving, we have ample opportunity to admire them.  Their bark isn’t as elastic as the bark… Continue reading Sycamore Bark

The world smells fabulous these days.  Lilacs, peonies, and irises are all in bloom, lending their scents to the pervasive perfume of spring.  In addition, we’ve had a lot of rain, and the earth itself smells fecund, lush.  This is a smell my sisters and I love, having grown up in a land of lake… Continue reading Pecking Order

Last Saturday, Janice and I went to the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club to watch dog agility trials.  Conditions for spectating were ideal:  we had front-row seats, and we were surrounded by people who knew what was going on.  Conditions for human and canine competitors must have been pretty great, too.  This was an AKC-sanctioned… Continue reading Dog Agility

Despite the recurring frost warnings that might argue against it, spring is coming right along in southeast Michigan.  The cherry crop further north may even have a good year, although the final word isn’t yet in after the bad freeze on the last day of April.  So, as usual at this time of year, we’re… Continue reading Daryl’s New Book

As the dog and I returned to the neighborhood from Green Road this morning, we surprised a lady enjoying the scents of spring.  She was dressed all in shades of purple, and we passed her as she was drawing a branch of a tall lilac bush closer to her face so she could breathe in… Continue reading Knuckleheads and Music