Thomas Wolfe was born in Asheville, North Carolina; about 60 miles from where I’m headed for awhile. Home. Wolfe’s great American novel, ‘You Can’t Go Home Again’ reflects on change as we grow older. Years ago I returned home to help an aging mother and a sister in need. I wound up building a small…

Since I was a child, I’ve had a strange affinity for reptiles and amphibians. Western North Carolina hosts over 100 different species of amphibians alone. The largest number of salamander species in the world. No wonder I chased small creatures in the creeks and streams My college Zoology professor was one of the most influential…

I’m still getting over the loss of my precious companion from last spring. And now an almost equal loss of Kenny McCormack on South Park, auspiciously renamed South America in honor of the great stupidity reaching down from the highest levels of government. Yes, Kenny was lost to an exploding e-bike battery. Good God how…

Fall. My favorite time of year to be outside. Cooler days. Colors Van Gough dreams about. Bike tires on dry leaves. And best of all, the Crack of Noon club reopens its doors. Here in northern Minnesota, mid September is the ringing of the bell. The Sumac is turning red. Smaller hardwoods are loosing their…