Skylands October 23, 2023

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just the two of us

Just the two of us

Preparing to pack up and go

Heading south for the winter

As the leaves fall from the trees

Just the two of us looking forward

To being together every day

The same as we are now

But away from the snow and ice cold

Leaving our home here in good hands

Looked after by friends and family

Watering our many house plants

Monitoring important mail

Just the two of us on our anniversary

Constant companions traveling

To our temporary housing

In our temporary existence

Replicating how we live our lives

Setting up housekeeping wherever we are

We who have been together a long time

Enjoying our daily routine

Waking up in a warm place

Going out for a walk in a nature preserve

Immersed in the diversity of life forms

This is the life for us

Fred's Meadow Cleanup Crew October 19, 2023

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just show me what to do

It pleased me to see his playful names

I am gone into the woods and

I am the sum of my experiences 

Attached to the email message

A young man with a full bushy head of hair

Framing his open expression and ready smile

He who has collected so many native seeds

Today collected them unintentionally in his hair

As the first to arrive of several new volunteers

Bringing his extensive knowledge of plants

Being happy to apply himself to the task

Removing invasive vegetation from the preserve

Soon joined by his father with an even bigger smile

Someone with equal or greater enthusiasm

Who today brought his brother along

Becoming an extended family affair

Then there is the smart young woman

Who was delighted when she was approached

Who shows up every work session

Because clearing invasives is her passion

She who has experience leading nature walks

Doing much needed public science education

Tells me things about wasps and other insects

While discussing possible grant applications

They are putting together a plan for each season

What they will remove and what to replace it with

Confident they can get the entire project done in one year

Taking initiative and leading the way

The man who brought them together

Someone retired now about as old as me 

Knowing the importance of passing the torch

Did it by boldly asking strangers a question

Stopping to talk to people here in the nature preserve

Asking them for help in maintaining the place

Discovering most people are thankful to be asked

Glad to have the chance to contribute