Indiana Roadsides

by
Jean Hughes
June 5, 1995

June comes to the hills walking knee-deep in clover and carrying armfuls of wild roses. She grows her tender blossoms along the roadsides, in little gardens along the woodland paths, and by the bowerfuls in forgotten fields.

I walk through masses of smilacina, and where hawthorn trees display their big bouquets of creamy blossoms. Along the woods' paths, yellow clumps of meadow parsnips sway, and wild black raspberries bloom in white swaths against an emerald background.

To glean June's subtle flower aromas, I cup my hands and breathe on every variety of blossom. It warms them, and then their hidden perfumes are detectable. I use every method I can think of to ferret out the lovely scents of earth.

* * * This morning, I am beside Sugar Creek, gathering soft willow-down to spin into willow-wool yarn. The creek is shallow and quiet. The hills and hollows seem to be holding their breath, waiting for true summer to come.

The patter music of the gently flowing water and the mellow trills of birds mix into the rank sunshine that sifts through the tree tops. Creek murmurs and fluttering shadows, and all of life trembling into growth and song, are what make the last days of spring so sweet.

This salad is what Mother's aunts used to call an extra dish. It not only tasted good, but made the table look pretty.

Country Italian Marinade

In a large bowl, combine: 1/3 cup oil, 2/3 cup sugar, 3/4 t. 
dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup chopped onion and 1 cup
buttermilk.
Add: 1 can drained bean sprouts, 2 sliced carrots, 1/4 cup
diced green pepper, 4 sliced radishes, 2 sliced stalks celery,
2 diced tomatoes, 1 cup each sliced broccoli and cauliflower.
Allow mixture to sit, covered, in the refrigerator for 6 hours
or overnight. 
This salad keeps well for several days.

It is time for summer school in my dooryard. The baby birds have graduated from their nests. Some of them are bigger than their parents -- roly-poly with baby fat. They are easy to spot because of their inexperienced ways, their constant fussy peeping, and the fluttering of their wings to encourage their parents to feed them.

Baby birds know how to fly, naturally, but it is landings that they have to learn about. It is those landings that are tough.

Yesterday, I saw a male cardinal patiently shuck a small pile of sunflower seeds. He then stuffed them into his mouth and, with seeds hanging out in every direction, flew to his nest. Today, he has brought the baby with him, and is filling him up on the spot.

* * * In my dooryard tree, at this moment, are baby downies, red-bellies and hairy woodpeckers, and baby sparrows and titmice. Oh! A male and a female pileated woodpecker just flew into another nearby tree. I can hear a third pileated calling from the woods. Here he comes! This is a pileated woodpecker family!

When the big birds fly away, I take a walk to look at June. There are tremendous rewards that come from walking the same stretch of road, and the same fields and woods every day. I know where to go to hear the wood thrush sing his melodious tune, where the pasture rose climbs up to make a pink-flowered web through the woods' edge trees, and where, in the evening, the catbird performs his concert.

I know the haunts of wood peewees and box turtles, and where the water sings over rocks, and skaters glide on sewing-thread legs. I know where I can stand knee-deep in daisies, and where a meadowlark will come to the top of a sycamore and sing for me at any hour of the day, and where the poppies grow.

I get to see, up close, the opening of every variety of flower. I know the kinship of life that comes from rain and shine, hot and cold, snow and mud, wind and quiet. All these gifts come from taking a daily walk.

* * * The journey through life is short. I am lucky to live in a sanctuary. I dream and stroll every day. Birds, animals, flowers and clouds, as well as human friends, are my companions. I live this part of my life as a ridge runner, in my heavenly, beautiful, wild and glorious hills!

Jean's book of ramblings and recipes "A Country Mile of Winter" and her book of poetry "The Earth's My Home" are available for $4.95 each plus $1.30 for postage and handling. Her nature letter "Diary of a Back Yard Naturalist", published 5 times yearly, is available for $12.50 per year. Ten of Jean's favorite recipes will be included free with each book or nature letter ordered. Order from...

Country Mile Publications
616 E. Monroe St.
Delphi, Indiana 46923

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