Les Harrison is a longtime resident of north Florida, having attended public schools in three counties. He has a Bachelor Degree from the University of Florida in Journalism and a Master’s of Science from Auburn University in Agricultural Economics. He is the author of more than 2000 newspaper and magazine stories and journal articles. During his career, he held positions in private, government and educational (university level) sectors. He holds the title of Extension Agent Emeritus. He can be reached at harrison.gl@gmail.com.
The summer of 2022 has been ideal for wild plant life in panhandle Florida. As August progresses towards September and the “official start of autumn”, many native wildflowers are blooming. Some of these annuals are very showy with others being tiny and muted. All have the same purpose, production of seeds for the next year….Read more
Some panhandle residents may be searching for menu options at homes and landscapes across north Florida. The homeowners usually are unaware until after the meal has been eaten and the damage must be addressed. Such is the case with white-tailed deer, a native herbivore, which often strays into suburbia. Odocoileus virginianus osceolais is the…Read more
The dog days of summer have once again returned to north Florida, this year with a fierce vengeance. As such the dogs (and cats), along with their human companions, are highly motivated to remain in any synthetic environment with temperature control capable of producing a comfortable thermometer reading. In reality the history of the dog…Read more
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” wrote Charles Caleb Colton. Colton was a sometimes cleric, essayist, wine merchant and gambler who bounced around Europe and North America during the early 19th century. It is likely many of his financial lenders hoped the public would not imitate his borrowing practices. Aside from his few literary…Read more
The pools, puddles and temporary ponds left behind by 2022’s summer rains are receding daily, only to be momentarily refreshed by the next afternoon’s scattered showers. The fleeting surface water is already home to little creatures, and not just mosquitoes.Fairy shrimp are making appearances across panhandle Florida in places not normally associated with any species…Read more
Summer is usually considered the season of mostly green in the natural parts of panhandle Florida, and most other locations in North America. Soon this tonal attribute will change as the growing season ends and cooler temperatures arrive. Maples, sweet gums, hickory and many others make their contributions to the natural palette of shades and…Read more
The thick humidity and high temperature readings are confining many to air conditioned enclosures, or at the very least shady spots with a breeze. The thought of excessive outdoor exertion has been relegated to only necessary activities, or if possible, to autumn with its cooler thermometer readings. The fall, as abstract as it may now…Read more
Picky eaters are always a problem. They will literally turn up their noses at many, if not most, culinary options placed before them. For those making the offering available to the persnickety diner, the trial and error process of finding the right dish is particularly frustrating. This is especially true when considering the snobby consumer…Read more
Guests which are picky eaters are no fun, especially for a host. No matter what dish is served, there is always something wrong with it. It can be the wrong flavor, incorrect seasoning, improperly prepared or some other culinary offence which repels the persnickety visitor, and it frustrates the gracious and long suffering person who…Read more
Looks, as the old saying goes, can be deceiving. This useful advice is certainly applicable to all the flying nocturnal visitors in the past weeks who are showing up in the home landscape and garden plots. Those small, nondescript moths which flit around the porch light are busy doing more than decorating car grills under…Read more
