Purple and Yellow. I would never want these colors in my kitchen, but on the prairie – and certain pro sport jerseys – they work. Asters of all types and sizes are now blooming on the prairie, providing the last blast of color before frost sets in. They are the original late bloomers. I like how […]
Not in my kitchen: Purple and yellow brighten the fall prairie Read More »
Mud happens. Snow happens. So does rain, sleet and some gloriously warm days. Today we had both. The day started sunny and warm and ended with a biting wind and sleet. It’s a crazy weather month punctuated by Madison spring rituals like The Garden Show, Canoecopia, Bike-o-Rama and high school basketball tournaments. It’s a month where
Mud Season… the Joys of March Read More »
Outdoor adventures with kids bring curious comparisons. “It looks like Africa,” said 8-year-old Marjorie as we drove into Governor Nelson State Park on a cold March day. I paused, a bit thrown by her thoughtful comment. I mean, I had never heard Wisconsin and Africa being linked geographically. And even if comparisons could be made,
African savannas and Wisconsin state parks Read More »
Story and photos by Diane Schwartz on Thursday 01/26/2012, Isthmus Newspaper The Tenney Park lagoon is frequently called Madison’s prettiest place to skate. Shaped like an uneven horseshoe, surrounded by trees and crossed by graceful arched bridges, it’s a setting reminiscent of a Currier and Ives painting. But until recently, the warming shelter was a dark and
From warming hut to Prairie-style palace: Tenney Park Shelter Read More »
Canoeing in Quetico Provincial Park is the ultimate outdoor vacation. While there were no kids on this trip, it’s important for me to write about and share this experience. Who knows, perhaps I’ll take a group there someday. Well, maybe not… read on and you’ll understand why. Quetico canoe trips are beautiful and rigorous. We
Quetico Vacation: Bruises, Eagles and Pictographs Read More »
Some people will be remembered forever. Bud Jordahl is one of those people. Bud Jorhahl was my grad school professor at the UW-Madison. He died May 11, 2010, and was honored April 11, 2011 at a reception at the Pyle Center. This man’s environmental legacy was huge, but to me, he will always be remembered
Bud Jordahl: He will be remembered Read More »
Tomorrow I am taking 45 people to Maple Syrup Fest at MacKenzie Environmental Education Center. Tonight I will be in bed by 8 pm. Promise. Preparing for a trip like this is exciting and tiring. The permission slips are probably the thing I hate most. They are a necessary part of working with kids, but paperwork
Big Trip Tomorrow: Must get Zzzzzzz Read More »
Once again, a major protest at the State Capitol coincided with one of my outings. I have to say that I was happy to be heading away from town. Protesting is noble, but it distracts me from what I love. For me, the best thing to do is to continue my work with kids and
Cave of the Mounds: A great escape from protesting or anything else Read More »
I hated walking as a kid and would beg my mom to drive me places. “You can walk,” she’d say and then explain how when SHE was a girl she had to WALK 100 miles just to get to the bus stop…” Okay, I exaggerate a little, but I truly hated walking. Other kids got
Why kids don’t walk and what we can do about it Read More »
On Sunday, I went cross-country skiing at Indian Lake County Park . Without kids. Without anyone. It was blissful. This doesn’t mean that I’m out of the kid business. Ski lessons start in a few weeks, so that day is coming. What it does mean is that solo escapes are a necessary part of working
Blissful Solo Skiing: A Joyful Escape to Indian Lake Read More »
