Greetings All,

Biding my time, reading and playing with a free ebook offering, I created a trial cover. The quiz is to identify the nine different plants represented in the background of the cover image. The prize to the first few that correctly identify all nine plants . . . umm . . . I don't have much, but maybe I could do some digital artwork for you — something like making a portrait photo image of your choice look like a watercolor painting image, or a free epub copy of Togwotee Passage. I'm open to reasonable suggestions.

Anyway, here is the trial cover image:



Beyond the above activities, despite my age I'm starting to get out in my natural garden more. I got the fallen tree cut up, and the mess cleaned up, and have started thinning out the bittersweet shoots and pesky wild raspberries. While out there, I noticed a patch of ramps ( Allium tricoccum ) doing well — the above ground leaves are only visible in the early spring.

What I've got to get to is starting more plants, especially over harvested trees. My pride and joy Shagbark Hickory trees are well, but I won't live to see them fruit. In over a decade they've only grown to eight to twelve feet high, taking some forty years before they fruit.

It's disheartening at times because I know I'm not accomplishing much. For every tree I get started, I notice a dozen or more loaded logging trucks go by on the road. Funny that, with so many people working at staying healthy, knowing they are missing the most important aspect. Unless many many more work at keeping the Earth healthy, their efforts are shortsighted. That is, without a biosphere conducive to our existence, . . .

Humm, I'm headed downhill again so it is time to sign off.

Hope this finds you all in better spirits :-)

My best to you and yours,
Lee