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.
Everything seems to come with some sort of trade off. Each benefit has a corresponding detriment, the yin and yang of everyday connected reality. The recent weather is a good example of this philosophical perception of the natural world’s two sides. It has had its negative attributes resulting in positive outcomes for a vast segment…Read more
Just 500 years ago Florida was barely identified, and the flora and fauna undocumented with little known of its complexity or diversity. Juan Ponce de Leon and the Spanish conquistadores who followed him claimed control of the state and geographic area for several centuries before being pushed out. Even today there are still places and…Read more
October has traditionally been the beginning of harvest season. Many agricultural crops are reaching maturity and, depending on several environmental factors, are soon to be ready for gathering. During the bygone era when the population was self-reliant and attuned to the seasonal changes, getting next year’s seed stock prepared was a critical activity. If next…Read more
With the arrival of October tomorrow, the end is in sight, well at least the end of summer. The hot humid days of September have given way to the moderate temperature readings courtesy of recent weather events. Days have shortened noticeably and the plants have noticed. Foliage growth has slowed and seed production is in…Read more
“If once a man indulges himself in murder, very soon he comes to think little of robbing,” so said English essayist Thomas Penson De Quincey. This early 19th century writer and social commentator published extensively on some of the social problems of his countrymen. De Quincy is considered to have founded a genre of literature…Read more
The burgeoning season of autumn in panhandle Florida is known as a period for maintaining the landscape and cultivating the fall garden. While it is great to be returning to outdoor recreational activities in the moderating heat and humidity, the lawn and garden chores can be a bit tedious with the many distractions currently available….Read more
After tropical storms and hurricanes, there are always discussions about the trees which have fallen during the storm. Many times the trees in question have landed on a home or some other structure which resulted in multiple thousands of dollars damage. Commonly, water and laurel oaks are the culprits. These large trees are frequently found…Read more
With the warmer weather, the time for outdoor activities has arrived for all living in the area. It causes much consternation with many parents to have children who only want to stare at a phone and play video games. These pastimes have come under much criticism in recent years. Many “experts” feel those in their…Read more
Everyone needs a vacation to recover from all the work of the previous season. Students get the summer to enjoy some R & R (rest and relaxation), so it is only fair to start planning a period of inactivity during the coming months. In commercial agriculture farmers will leave fields vacant or fallow for a…Read more
Fall, believe it or not, will soon be in the air and on the thermometer. There will be a few warm days in October, but soon the 90 plus degree days in 2022 will be gone. Additional north fall color is developing in the vast hardwood forests of maple, hickory, and other showy tree species….Read more
