�ݬ� �� A Country Mile

June 26, 1995

�ݬ� �� By Jean Hughes

��Tonight, there is a natural show of lightning and lightning bugs. A dark-capped sky pulses light on and off above the

blinking fireflies.

��Last night the bug's flashes were as big as saucers; tonight, they are as large as basketballs. Great circles of light appear

and disappear, and wide, white streaks flash across the sky as though painted by giant paintbrushes. Earth and sky are

ablaze with light!��

��It was brought to my attention that when the fireflies appeared, the pesky gnats disappeared. Could there be a

connection? There are billions of things to be learned about ourselves and about this planet we call our home.

��Cloud watchers, this is your season. Tonight, I am taking a cloud walk. It looks as if a flock of fleecy sheep are

stretched across the whole sky. A silver moon acts as shepherd.��

��It has been a beautiful week here in the hills. I have watched goldfinches eating dandelion seeds. House wrens and

chats gave me the pleasure of a visit. When out driving, I came upon a baby red fox playing along the roadside. The sun

shining through its brand new coat and bushy tail was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. As I drove away,

I saw the baby's mother come running across the field, she had been out hunting.

��I visited my oriole nest and the female posed for me. Box turtles chose my roadside to dig the holes for depositing their

eggs. At one spot, after the eggs were covered, a big rock was placed on top. Do turtles do that?

��I have watched butterflies flex their wings in subtle rhythm. I have seen indigo buntings' feathers glisten in the sunlight

and visited with the black snakes that are keeping a barn free of mice.

��I have seen bunnies, tiny and new, leap straight up and kick their heels. I think that is what the word, "whoopee" looks

like.

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��Along the roadside, wild parsnips and choke cherries bloom. Daisies decorate the fields. I find pink yarrow and the

pink buds of milkweeds. Camouflaged among the blossoms, the flowers that will bloom in July are green and growing.��

��The earth has an undercoat that lasts all summer and into the fall. It sheds layer after layer of blossoms. Swaths of what

my human eye calls beauty unwrap in a never ending panorama of color.

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��This morning two wood thrushes sing in echoes. Yesterday, I learned that a wood thrush has two sound producing

mechanisms in its syrinx �� two pipes. Think of�� being able to harmonize with yourself!�� What a joy that would be!

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��It seems hard to believe, but there is more that is unknown about nature than is known. There are many small

discoveries that you and I can make that will add to the knowledge of our earth.��

��It is only recently that we have become aware of the fragile planet we reside upon. We have discovered the importance

of living in harmony with all of the life on earth, and that in keeping habitats for all plants and animals, we benefit

ourselves. We are seeing the medicinal and ecological value of our rain forests, and the importance of marshes and trees.

There is a cry that is already sending a message so loud that it will be waiting for us as we move into the 21st century,

"Save The Earth!"��

��Our earth is dying and each of us is its physician. Recycle, repair, replant, respect and remember the beauty that, once

lost, cannot be replaced. "Save the Earth!"

�ݬ� �� 1995 Jean Hughes

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