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.
Those who are fortunate enough to be able to travel internationally usually return home having had many new and vastly different experiences. The stark dissimilarities are especially noticeable when traveling in Asia’s far eastern locales. While the 21st century’s shared technologies have homogenized much of daily life, there are still some unique cultural practices and…Read more
Cooking shows are popular entertainment. Everyone from masters to aspiring chefs share their passion for specific culinary specialties and styles. In contemporary north Florida there are some colorful native insect residents which have a desire for specific plants. Monarch butterflies are one species, but another is the Gulf Fritillary. The object of its dining obsession…Read more
When Florida was first becoming known as a recreational playground, it was for its natural resources, especially water based. The pristine rivers were, and still are, especially popular with fishing and boating enthusiasts. Unlike many western states which are dependent on massive dams to provide water, hydroelectric energy and flood control, Florida’s waterways have a…Read more
The month of September is known as the gateway for a variety of events. Historically, it was the beginning of the public school year, but recent trends have made the starting date of classes dependent on a variety of factors. The beginning of college football is this month, with all its spectacle and gridiron rivalry…Read more
Large families are always an interesting collection of individuals with curious and occasionally unique characteristics, but they still have a common connection running through all the relations. Getting members together reveals both the similarities and the differences. Holiday get togethers frequently highlight the vast variations. There is always the crazy uncle with the tacky jokes,…Read more
Standing above one’s peers has several advantages. In most cases, the tall individual will be immediately noticed and usually recognized, hopefully for positive and refined qualities. The elevated individual eventually attracts those with similar attributes in both altitude and other features. This collection has been referred to by a variety of terms. If a positive…Read more
Labor Day 2021 is soon to be in the rearview mirror and the kids are going back in school, either in classrooms or virtually. Life is settling into the early autumn routine, while it is still technically summer. Even though the solar equinox is about three weeks away, the residents to the north are reacting…Read more
During this period of returning “social distancing”, leisure activity options have the potential to be reduced again. Crowded venues are being discouraged, whether wearing a mask or not. As such, the lesser utilized sites in the great outdoors are now being considered as ideal vacation get-a-ways, even by those who do not normally venture far…Read more
The branches and boughs of deciduous trees offer a welcome reprieve from the intense August sun in north Florida. The temperature can drop over ten degrees in the shade under the canopy of greenery, but there is no relief from the insipid humidity. Behind the leafy labyrinth a variety of activities are obscured from observers…Read more
Kudzu, Old World climbing fern, and tropical soda apple are all widely known as invaders which were introduced into the region from faraway and exotic locations. Each has its own story of how it arrived here and escaped into a welcoming environment. Once established, these and other alien plant interlopers have aggressively pushed out native…Read more
