It wasn’t until a few years ago, when on a hut to hut cross country ski trip in Maine that I learned the make up of lichen and its complexity. I was with my friends Mary Beth Durkin, Meg Moran and Tom Durkin. Tom is a self taught naturalist and keen observer of the world around him. He was our personal guide and wrangler. Tom would point out wildlife footprints, tell us about the importance of the subnivian layer and take us on an owl prowl. This trip was magical for me! I love winter, I...

The unusual and cruel weather that descended upon us in January/February took its toll. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE cold weather. I would literally rather be in Western Mongolia than on the Eastern Shore of Maryland during the hot and humid summers that we endure. This winter brought the gift of a beautiful snow, but the beauty was crusted with a thick coating of ice. It would have been tolerable, but polar vortexes prevented it from melting. It was two weeks of reclusion. People were only...

I grew up playing both team and individual sports. How we behaved, whether we won or lost, was part of our umvelt. Character and conduct mattered. I was taught, by both my parents and coaches, to accept a loss as graciously as a win. I was consistently told to shake my opponents hand with a firm grip, look them in the eye and declare “GOOD GAME!” I was taught not to clap at someone else’s mistake. That was labeled unsportsmanlike conduct. I had a doubles partner when I was 14 that almost...