Althouse: A walk in the woods.

September 9, 2014

A walk in the woods.

Lots of snakeroot.

9 comments:

The Godfather said...: My grandfather was an artist, and I have a painting of his that looks remarkably like this photo -- but he lived and painted on Long Island.; 9/9/14, 9:32 PM
traditionalguy said...: Enjoy it while it lasts. The weather channel says rain and a 41F low tomorrow night; 9/9/14, 10:33 PM
Carnifex said...: I don't know what snakeroot looks like, but I do know what chigger and tick territory looks like, so i hope you had plenty of Deet.

One winter day we were helping a friend mark his farm property line. Mid to late february, so the temperature was around 34. But the sun was shining, and I was standing on top of this small wooded knoll, basking in the warm sunlight.

I heard a rustling sound in the leaves, so I looked around expecting to see a deer, or a squirrel out for a noon meal, but I saw neither. More rustling, so I looked again, only i was looking for chipmunks, or a raccon...nuthin.

The rustling continued, so I looked down at my feet. There, I spotted hundreds of ticks crawling towards me across the leaf clutter. So many that the leaves were making an audible rustling. GAH!!!!!

I think the only time I was ever more freaked out is when an alligator splashed me with water while I was sitting, unknown, right beside him.; 9/9/14, 11:47 PM
Anonymous said...: Is this a cafe post? Here is a non-woodsy trail comment.

My 20-year-old daughter's friend lived with us for a while and still gets mail at my house. She works for a fast food chain restaurant based in my state. I think they treat their employees pretty well since I don't see a lot of turnover in the staff. This may well be her permanent job since she has few marketable skills.

She got a postcard today with the very clear statement that the company healthcare plan will end on Dec 31 since it does not meet the requirements of ACA. There will be no company enrollment event for 2015. She is told she can buy health insurance on the government's exchange during their open enrollment period.

Thanks for the help, Democrats.; 9/9/14, 11:55 PM
rhhardin said...: Snakeroot is the autumn Garlic Mustard.; 9/10/14, 5:15 AM
Rusty said...: Don't forget to check each other for ticks.

It's Fun!; 9/10/14, 6:07 AM
Bad Lieutenant said...: Dear Grundoon,

Shutup rayciss!,

He explained.

/sarc; 9/10/14, 6:43 AM
MadisonMan said...: There, I spotted hundreds of ticks crawling towards me across the leaf clutter.

You should always carry a live chicken for times like these. Chickens love ticks.; 9/10/14, 8:06 AM
JOB said...: Flora and Fauna

The air is as still as deep water in a creek.
The sense of summer is regret for something spent.
As we walk along, silence is snapping quick
Beneath the weight of a fallen twig or branch.
A whisper scurries beneath the carpet
Of dead leaves, brown, chthonic, grossly vegetative
Coated with something that seems to waver
Between the substance of soil and dust –
Indecisive about how to carve immortality’s
Signature in the forest floor, it’s wet decay
Like a voice left out in a night of hard rain sogged
With the same choking intensity of rain itself.

While looking at the asymmetrical arabesque
Of sunlight among hectic treetops, this late
Summer day, I hear the concentration
Of animal suffering in that same voice, yours,
Sobbing softly in my garden plot, not departing
Not arriving, but saying something in between,
In that time all creatures were there to name,
Before we knew each other enough to know
A bear and her cub are not so soon parted
As human beings and their paradise.; 9/10/14, 1:38 PM