Category Archives: Musings

There is something in silence

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Randy Tindall

Even in the relative peace and quiet of our backyard, my mind buzzes.  While a titmouse is making its monotonous, but very determined, call to attract a mate, while the wind whooshes through tree branches, and a red-shouldered hawk cries … Continue reading →

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The Upper Left-Hand Brick

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Randy Tindall

NOTE:  This posting has an error.   The apple-like oak leaf gall is caused by a midge, not a wasp.  The leaf gall of the wasp is an elongated gall along the veins of the leaf.  I will update the … Continue reading →

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Men of Rice

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Randy Tindall

This is not really about our backyard, except that that’s where I was when the memory washed over me, early one morning, about 4 a.m. or thereabouts, as I shivered and stared up at the sky, hoping to see the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Musings, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Specially and diversely unique. Or something…

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Randy Tindall

It was waaay past time to turn the compost in our backyard. One of those jobs that seem much worse in anticipation than they actually are, turning compost is something I can put off for a very long time.  Now, … Continue reading →

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The Web

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Randy Tindall

The more I hang out in our backyard and the longer I live, the more amazed at and appreciative I become of the phenomenon of life.  Its abundance, its interconnectedness, its boisterousness, its sheer tenacity and unending ingenuity.  Give it … Continue reading →

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Summer’s End

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Randy Tindall

O Autumn, lie down on me and cover me with russet and gold. I will not sweep you away, or tell the lie that only Spring is real.

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Nature’s Pauses

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Randy Tindall

“Nature’s music is never over; her silences are pauses, not conclusions.”  Mary Webb. ——————————— I wandered recently into our backyard, camera in hand, to see what drama might unfold in front of me this day, and the first thing I … Continue reading →

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The Unknown Turn

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Randy Tindall

I looked down the at the tattered sheet of paper laying beside the path.  Despite having been shredded by shotgun pellets, it was still legible.  “Trail Begins Again Here”, it said.  A few feet farther along, Nadia and I emerged … Continue reading →

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Through the Keyhole

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Randy Tindall

It takes patience to walk a beagle.  It is not an exercise for the terminally rushed, nor is it for those who want to cover a lot of ground and work up a sweat.  Beagles have other agendas. It doesn’t … Continue reading →

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Quiet Medicine

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Randy Tindall

Being in our backyard calms—-me—-down.  It is a palpable sensation, beginning within minutes of going out there and just sitting—just watching and listening.  Even though Nadia and I live along a busy street, the traffic noise fades to insignificance in … Continue reading →

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