July 21

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. It was good for us to be back on familiar ground after a 2-week absence. The afternoon weather was sunny with a temperature of 83 degrees and a steady breeze from the west. I paused at the crest of the hill and gazed fondly at the summer landscape. I descended the hill and stopped at Mallard Marsh where I spotted some Canadian Thistle. North American Indians used infusions of Canadian thistle root for mouth diseases and infections and considered it to be useful as a health-promoting tonic, diuretic and astringent. I hiked through Bobolink meadow where I recalled my joy earlier in the week seeing a dozen immature and adult Bobolinks perched on White Sweet Clover. These numbers indicate the successful hatching of two clutches. Continuing along, I gazed up to see a graceful Turkey Vulture soaring high over Sora Swale. Turning at the entrance to North Woods, I followed the trail south toward Willow Wallow where I saw a Swamp Milkweed. I passed the pond and circled Succession Field where I spotted a red dragonfly sitting on Goldenrod. Heading to Artist Overlook, I turned north toward Willow Wallow where I observed several Monarch and Viceroy butterflies. I walked along the edge of the pond and climbed the west side of Reflection Hill where I noticed several Goldenrod bunch galls. Turning south, I descended the hill, passed Frog Fen and continued to Brady Cemetery. Next, I entered Native Grassland where I noticed a sea of colorful wildflowers including a white flower I had never seen before called Virginia Mountain Mint. I pinched off some leaves to smell its fragrant scent. Also, coloring the meadow pink were patches of Wild Bergamot. Members of the Chippewa tribe used the dried, powdered leaves and flowers of this plant as a burn salve. A decoction brewed from its flowers and roots was used to expel parasites. Next, I stopped and looked out on a vacant Grebe Pond. Continuing north, I observed lots of Purple Coneflower. Native Americans used it as an antidote for snakebites and bee stings. It was also used in a smoke treatment for headaches. Purple coneflower was used to calm toothaches and sore gums, and a tea from it was drunk to treat colds, mumps and arthritis. I came to the barn and walked around to the east side where I saw Common Tansy, Catnip, Bird’s foot Trefoil and Bee Balm. Bee Balm taken in a tea is a tasty, well-known remedy for digestive problems. It can also be made as a soothing drink to calm nerves and as a relaxing sleep aid. Finally, we passed the Classroom Building, hopped in the van and headed for home.

Bluebirds sing their melodies.

Butterflies weave and dive.

Dewdrops cling to leaves and stems

On the hills at sunrise.
Bright sun shines overhead.

Warm air blows through the hay.

A hawk cries out from the timberline

Of the fields at midday.
The sky turns orange and red.
Fields don a shadowy blanket.

Deer nibble on sweet clover blossoms

In the quiet of sunset.
Flitting fireflies blink and glow.

Below, silky spiders creep.

Rodents forage through the night.

The meadow is never asleep.

Kathy Rusniak