As a child of the sixties, I listened intently as Smoky the Bear shared the message that “only you can prevent forest fires”. It made perfect sense. But not all fires are bad as we have learned over the past half century, especially in the fire-adapted, pine forests of the southeastern U.S. It turns out that small, periodic fires help keep the forest healthy and safe from destruction that we often see in western forests. Here is the story.

had never seen a Limpkin prior to 2022.  One turned up in the winter, on Columbus Lake, and stayed for several months, much to the delight of local birders.  Although I knew this was a rare species for Mississippi, I didn’t think too much about it until another one showed up at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.  By this time, observers were reporting Limpkins—including nesting pairs—in many locations across the eastern and central United States, far from where they normally occurred in Florida.  Birds were spotted even in southern Canada.  What was going on?

Southern Magnolias help define the deep south landscape. Their large, prominent white flowers are hard to miss and are a favorite subject for artists and photographers. Southern Magnolia is the state tree and flower for Mississippi, the Magnolia State, and the state flower of Louisiana. And although the flowers are the main attraction, the plant offers other equally prominent features.

I am not a fan of mowing grass. I cut more than my share of lawns in my youth. Mary and I live on a wooded lot, so I have been liberated, at least at home. But, for those of you that still maintain a lawn, there is hope for your liberation as well. Bear with me as I proposed reducing lawn care through “no mow” and “less mow” options.