There is no reason to be depressed when St. John’s wort is around.

Though physicians and herbalists will disagree as to the oft-stated benefits of treating depression with this plant, I prefer to avoid the debate. The conflict will surely make me sad. I would rather keep my spirits high with this herb.

Aristophanes, the Athenian comic playwright, must have been a funny guy, since he is still remembered for the 40 plays that he produced in his lifetime. It is not his plays that amuse me, but his cynical wit when observing the natural world. 

It was Aristophanes who stated that “you cannot teach a crab to walk straight.”   

The mythological Medusa was feared and reviled for her looks. The snakes that emerged from her head made her more than just odd and ugly. They, along with her visage, turned even the strongest warrior into a rock statue.

Shoo fly, don’t bother me.

Salt marsh greenhead flies have arrived. Or rather, they have emerged, since they have been hanging out in the salt marsh over the last year, in densities that may surpriseyou. This year, they are both early and prolific, and (as always) they are out forblood. 

It has been a scorcher of a week.

When it is this hot, go ahead and complain. Play the blame game, too. Global warming, perhaps, or maybe just fault the giant yellow ball in the sky. The sun would be the appropriate scapegoat.

The sun is easiest to blame when you consider that it is the original source of the vast majority of all the light, heat and energy for our planet (the heat we obtain from underground is negligible by comparison).