When I was a child, summer nights seemed alive with light — not the harsh glare of streetlamps or porch bulbs, but a living, breathing shimmer that drifted through the warm air. We called them lightning bugs, though some called them fireflies. They were just as much a part of summer as the hum of
Most people don’t celebrate the arrival of a wasp. When a slender black insect with long legs appears under the porch eaves, the instinct is to swat or spray it immediately. But this one was different. She didn’t hover aggressively. She didn’t circle. She didn’t seem interested in us at all. She carried small clumps
Community events rely on one simple thing: people knowing about them. That seems obvious—but how we share that information is more important than we often realize. A flyer isn’t just an announcement; it’s an invitation. When someone sees your flyer, they should immediately understand what is happening and how to participate. If they have to
Author’s Note: Facing the Crow A rooster came to my house one mid-morning a few months ago. I’ve always been scared of roosters. When I was a little kid, ours used to chase me every time he saw me outside, intent on spurring me. But that morning, I chose to face that fear. I picked
In meeting rooms across towns and counties, civic organizations gather with a shared purpose—at least, that’s how they started. There are agendas to review, projects to discuss, and names on the membership rolls. Some arrive early, setting up chairs or organizing materials. Others slip in quietly as the meeting begins. In nearly every group, a
Before I start, I want to thank a longtime friend of mine who inspired me to write this article. She recently posted a long list on her Facebook page, which she saw in a Green Cove Springs Facebook post, showing where people over a certain age can get discounts. It caught my eye, and I
“Not Everything Is What It Looks Like in the Produce Aisle” The idea for this article didn’t come from a science book or a walk through a farmers’ market. It came from my dentist’s office. I was sitting in the chair, making small talk, when a dental assistant casually mentioned that strawberries aren’t berries—bananas are.
It happens on ordinary days—a quick stop at the grocery store, a short errand at the pharmacy, with a child or a pet waiting quietly in the car while someone runs inside “just for a minute.” The parking lot seems calm. The day doesn’t seem very hot. But inside a closed vehicle, the temperature can
As spring arrives in Northeast Florida, it’s common to see a snake quietly slithering across a driveway, resting along a pond’s edge, or moving through tall grass. After the cooler winter months, snakes start to become more active as the land warms up. Many people who grew up in the South heard the same warning
An ABC of Community Etiquette At a gathering or community event, people usually expect a predictable environment—a place where conversation flows easily and everyone understands the general boundaries of the setting. Those expectations can change quickly when someone arrives with a pet and assumes the room will welcome it happily. Many of us love animals,
