The likely aftermath of Hurricane Debby has the potential to be anywhere from inconvenient for some panhandle Florida homeowners to severe for others. At the very least there will be many twigs, branches and limbs to remove from the yard and landscape. Many will experience the loss of a favored tree, or its severe damage….Read more
The dog days of August are settling over panhandle Florida. This period is typified by the hot, humid days and nights which induce languid behavior in most of the residents, human or not. Dog days began during the ancient Roman Empire when Sirius, identified as the Dog Star, was present in the skies. If Sirius…Read more
Spring is typically considered the season of flowers in panhandle Florida. While there are blooms during the rest of the year, in the relatively moderate climate of panhandle Florida, it is spring which displays the majority of the blossoms. It is true that Juan Ponce de Leon named this state, albeit indirectly. He landed somewhere…Read more
Common names, as the term implies, are a means used by the general public for identifying any number of tangible items and intangible concepts. This nomenclature usually identifies a distinctive feature obvious to the observer. In the world of consumer products, this is a critical feature of marketing. It is imperative for the seller to…Read more
It may be hard to believe, but summer is almost half over. Autumn, at least on the calendar, will begin in late September with more moderate temperatures. While there are still some, or many, hot humid days left to endure, the gradual dwindling hours of sunlight indicate the approach of hopefully cooler weather and a…Read more
Life can be lonely at the top, but there are certain advantages. Command of the heights is an entrenched doctrine of every military on the globe. The origin of this convention traces its beginning back to controlling the high ground and letting gravity do the work of hitting the target fast and efficiently. First it…Read more
At any point in time a subject under inspection may be in a transitory state which soon passes into a form more representative of the creature’s primary existence, but which is very different from its starting point. Most local insects are excellent examples of this principle. They may appear bright and colorful, only to change…Read more
Horror movies have, for over a century, featured a pantheon of destructive creatures rampaging through the world. Their characteristics have varied over the decades, but they always manage to return. In recent years zombies have been the nightmare of choice. Kill one and 5000 come to its funeral before returning to sacking society. More than…Read more
The bright colors of spring’s blooms have faded into the inviting shades of early summer. While spring’s brilliance stands in stark contrast to winter’s muted tones, summer has an easy and inviting appearance. Still, there are splashes and patches of bright foliage in all parts of panhandle Florida. Tropical sage, for example, adds red flowers…Read more
One thing is certain, the recent rains are making the grass, and most other plants, grow. Thankfully the conversations about drought have been silenced for the time being and everything is green. In the local home gardens a member of the grass family is responding positively to all the moisture from above. Sweet corn in…Read more
