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How Did You Spend Pandemic Time Creatively?
Quilting and the Chesapeake Bay Guest Blogger, Sigrid Reynolds I have always loved the humble arts of unknown women who pieced quilts. My own attempts at the craft had resulted in exactly 10 squares in the 1980s when I had small children at home who took afternoon...
Why Is March Birdhouse Month?
March is a pivot month. It’s neither winter nor spring. Often called “mud season", March is maple syruping time, but it’s also birdhouse building month at Winding Pathways. As humans in northern climates wade through mud and long for spring, millions of birds far to...
How Catios Help Wildlife and Neighbor Relations
Millions of people love their cats. Some 36% of households keep an average of two cats. They are the second most popular companion animal in the United States, lagging only behind dogs. Some cats cause problems, especially when owners allow them to free-range the...
Why are Possums Out in the Winter?
Bright sun and warm breezes broke Iowa’s February subzero weather. Being outside unencumbered by thick gloves, boots, and coats felt great, and we even enjoyed a cup of coffee sitting outside on the sunny side of our home. We weren’t alone. A glance at the bird...
Prairie Renaissance Part 7
November 5, 2020, was a perfect day for burning our prairie. We’d enjoyed several days of dry weather, and had our fire permit. We just needed a bit of breeze. On that gorgeous day we burned the labyrinth, the backyard prairie, and our savanna…….and then we struck a...
How Do Birds Stand On One Leg?
As we ate breakfast during the deep freeze that descended on February 7th six wild turkeys trudged through the snow from nearby woods and feasted on corn scattered under our bird feeders. It was 20 below zero - genuine 20 below. With the wind chill, the air was even...
Why Do You buy Garden Seeds in Winter?
Winter Readiness Recently Rich donned a heavy jacket, gloves, and hat then ventured through swirling snow to the mailbox. He returned with seed catalogs. Seems early but there are two good reasons why we like to receive them in the depth of winter. First, they make...
How Did Obsidian Get Around?
Obsidian on the Move We have it easy. If we need to carve a roasted turkey, chunk up an apple, whittle a stick, or shave off a beard we just have to buy a knife or razor blade. They’re made in hundreds of shapes and configurations and sold in dozens of stores. It...
Gratitdues 2020
For several years I have kept a log of daily Gratitudes. Noting each day on a small sticky note, I stuff them into an old pickle jar. Then, at the end of the year, I spill them out on the table and re-read them, selecting several to share. Often I list by month. ...
What Do You Write About in a Pandemic?
Actually, 2020 has been incredibly busy for Winding Pathways writing in 2020. This winter we invite you to grab a warm beverage, curl up, and take in some of our features in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. December 20, 2020. Walking Cemeteries....
How Did You find Joy in 2020?
Adria and Tom Fuller, Guest bloggers In spite of the difficulties associated with 2020, including state mandates limiting travel and gatherings, it’s brought us both joy and wonder. Who would have guessed: that our family-centric wedding planned for May on the Maine...
Who Attended Country Schools?
Authors' Note: Below are replies from folks who attended country schools. Some stories originally appeared in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. "Many older people have fond memories of attending the typical one-room school. The image is quintessential often with a painting...
How Do You Create Calm from Chaos?
Reflecting on 2020 Courage and Creativity When life is topsy turvy; When people we know get critically sick and some die; When our normal routine is tossed out the window, three questions come to mind: How is mine to be? What is mine to know? What is mine to do? So, I...
What’s New at Hoover’s Hatchery?
Our relationship with Hoover’s Hatchery started years ago and launched a long and mutually beneficial relationship that keeps growing. Thanks to quality products and innovative management, the Hatchery, located in tiny, Rudd, Iowa, is thriving today and offers...
How Can You Jazz Up Your Chickens’ Winter Diet?
Late December is special. There are lots to be thankful for and a good reason to celebrate. The solstice just passed, promising a daily addition of sunlight and signaling that spring is on the way. Then there’s a multitude of seasonal, cultural holidays and Holy Days....
A Forest is More Than Trees
We won’t forget August 10, 2020. On that summer day, Cedar Rapids was hit with 140 miles an hour winds that tore off roofs, felled signs, and toppled at least 65% of the City’s trees. The damage was awesome. We lost 47 of our 53 big trees at Winding Pathways and...