Dining out is an activity which requires some forethought and planning, especially in these days of “social distancing”. Choosing the meal, any dining companions (if allowed) and the location of the meal are decisions which influence the experience. Once decided whether alone or with a few friends or family members, the cares of the world…Read more
Author: Les Harrison
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.
Autumn Treasures
“There is gold in them thar hills,” so was the call of the ‘49’ers who were beckoned to search for the elusive, but valuable, yellow metal in California during the mid-19th century. This enticement has lured hundreds of thousands to remote and usually hostile locations the world over in pursuit of quick wealth. With the…Read more
Regulars at the Caterpillar Café: Spiny Oakworms
“The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven,” so wrote the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare in his classic play the Merchant of Venice. Rains in Florida’s 2020 warm season have been gentle, and not so gentle at times, but at least there has been enough of them. …Read more
Return of the Armyworm
A pessimist will say, “Just when you think things cannot get any worse, they will”. Unfortunately, far too many times the cynic is correct and problems compound with resulting destruction and cost. Sometimes it is the self-fulfilling prophesy of a naysayer, and sometimes it is the voice of experience recognizing a deteriorating situation. In such…Read more
Mashes Sands: Relaxation at the End of the Road
In these days of pandemic and public panics, a reprieve from the maddening crowds is a welcome option. To disconnect from the stresses and demands can be both psychologically and physically beneficial to urbanites and suburbanites alike. Idyllic isolation, however, is a rare commodity in the intensely connected 21st century, but there are some feasible…Read more
Carrabelle: A Slice of the Coastal Quiet Life
Carrabelle today is far different than the tiny fishing village in panhandle Florida of 1942. While the year round population is currently less than 3,000, at the beginning of World War II the inhabitants’ numbers had barely reached a thousand. Chartered in 1893, fishing, logging and subsistence farming sustained the residents during those early and…Read more
Combating the Cold: Protecting Plants when Florida Freezes
Gardeners will soon face a new set of challenges dealing with the effects of cold weather. However, a little planning and creativity early can make plant protection in the landscape a relatively simple process. Many homeowners and landscape managers want to know when plants will need protection. Depending on the plant, the point of freezing…Read more
Free, Natural Pest Control!
The lush green foliage of Wakulla County hides many secrets. Lurking in the murky recesses of nature’s dim places are a collection of tiny creatures with a variety of competing interests. Some organisms are there only to control the unrestrained growth of the plants and fungi which utilize the available resources. Others, with carnivorous intent,…Read more
Meridian Road: Connections to the Past
North of Tallahassee, Florida, there is a remnant of the territorial era which remains as a link to a time now long past. Meridian Road once extended from the state’s prime meridian in the capital north to the Georgia state line. Now designated as County Road 155, this canopy road still has many stretches where…Read more
A Health Checkup for the Yard
Hurricane Sally is now last week’s news. Comparatively, it is a footnote in the year 2020 which has turned out to be quite a 12 month period in the history of the almost everyone. Still some mundane chores are currently underway in an effort to recover from the storm’s effects. Hopefully readers of this post…Read more