Month: February 2019

2019 has already been a wet year, and the forecast for the next few days calls for several more inches of rain. As you can see below, the river has not flooded much here, but I expect the next post will show a roaring French Broad.

The weather has been mild for February, and the young buck deer seem to feel that spring is coming. Four or five of them are spending more time together and less time with their mothers. Here are some recent videos; the first one shows how playful they are:
Deer at play
Here they come!
Chow time
Turkey chow time
And a fun one without live animals: whirlagig

The Hollow has been rather quiet lately, and I haven’t taken many photos or encountered anything very interesting. (I don’t need anything to entertain me on my walks; I am usually content to simply look around and listen to the birds.) I see hints of spring, and I’m sure the spring ephemerals will be coming out soon. I’ll let you know when I see them.

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What with bad weather, great weather (keeping me outside), and travelling, it’s been a while since I last posted. I have rambled in the Hollow wearing my warmest coat one day and a t-shirt a few days later. Today it was back to a coat to keep me dry and warm.

Since my last post I took a trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where I lived for 30 years. I’ve lived in the Hollow almost eight years, but I still think of Tuscaloosa as my hometown. It had been almost five years since my last visit, and it was heartwarming to spend time with so many of my old friends. However, I hardly recognized the UA campus and much of Tuscaloosa itself, and seeing the changes made me appreciate my life here. One place that was still free of monstrous apartment/condominium buildings was the University of Alabama Arboretum, a place dear to my heart. I served on the (sadly now defunct) Board of the Friends of the Arboretum for many years and was named President Emeritus when I left. A Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) was planted in honor of my service, and I was pleased to see how tall it had grown. (Last year I planted one outside my house here.)

Walking on the familiar trails brought back fond memories (and was much easier than walking on the trails in the Hollow!). One trail had washed out and was blocked by logs that were covered in lichens. It reminded me of my walks at home.

I’m back and happily rambling in the Hollow; I expect to post again soon.