Author: Lisa

Voices of the Land – Nancy Wicker’s Legacy

Written on September 17, 2011.

Nancy Wicker has lived in five different countries and a Chicago neighborhood named after her family, but since 1999 she has chosen to live on fifteen acres in McHenry County. And she has never been happier. story by Mark Hertvik “It’s...

Hummingbirds are on the move!

Written on September 2, 2011.

While on the phone with a friend the other day, I spied a hummingbird at the feeder by my window. “Wow, that’s a fat hummingbird,” I exclaimed. He pointed out that this is the time of year when the tiny birds start to bulk...

Let it Rot!

Written on August 26, 2011.

Home-made compost is one of my biggest gardening joys. The amount of energy required to make a great soil amendment is so minimal, that I’m surprised more people don’t take advantage of this natural process. I’ve...

Signs of the Times? Drought, Flood & Fire

Written on July 27, 2011.

Two weeks ago, the weather experts were talking about how 2011 could turn out to be the driest July on record for the Chicago area. Well, driving to work today, I heard the news that July 2011 is now officially the wettest...

What are You waiting for?

Written on June 22, 2011.

We each need to do something – now. That was the message from Dr. Kathleen Dean Moore at last night’s Moral Ground discussion at MCC. If you would like to leave a world to future generations as rich in possibilities...

Frogs, Turtles and Salamanders, Oh My!

Written on March 31, 2011.

Did you hear the sound of a thumb raking over the teeth of a comb while on a recent hike? That’s the Western Chorus Frog. The first frog to emerge when the ground thaws. They are very loud near some wetlands in our area,...