I went to the bank and asked to borrow a cup of money. They said, “What for?” I said, “I’m going to buy some sugar.” ~ Steven Wright (Photo by Adriana Cal) If you’re thinking about finding a prepaid debit card as an alternative to a checking a

“Trees are as close to immortality as the rest of us ever come.” ~ Karen Joy Fowler (Photo by Debbie Miller with the USDA Forest Service) It’s estimated that more than 50 million ash trees are dead or dying in the Midwest because of the emerald ash

“It was luxuries like air conditioning that brought down the Roman Empire. With air conditioning their windows were shut, they couldn’t hear the barbarians coming.” ~ Garrison Keillor (Photo by Lance Palmer) It’s been a sizzling summer here in the

“Give neither counsel nor salt till you are asked for it” ~ Italian Proverb (Photo by Bruno Sersocima) Whether it’s added to morning eggs, or part of the crunchy taste of potato chips, we love salt.  It’s actually the ultimate spice because our t

“Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone.” ~ William Alexander (Photo by Chris Starbuck) Drive through any Midwest neighborhood and you’ll see severe drought damage. Some trees ad shrubs have wilted and curled leaves. Others are lo

“In a purely technical sense, each species of higher organism—beetle, moss, and so forth, is richer in information than a Caravaggio painting, Mozart symphony, or any other great work of art.” ~ Edward O. Wilson Munching and crunching Japanese beetl

“The tree that cannot shed its old leaves in the dry season cannot survive the period of drought.” ~ Nigerian Proverb (Photo by Debbie Johnson) The corn is curling, lawns are growing crunchy and landscape plants are showing signs of stress.  They all

"The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook." ~ Julia Child (Photo by Lukas Patkan) The transition between spring and summer is full of beautiful, blue-sky days. It’s the perfect time for picnics, camping and barbecues.

Anthracnose on maple (Photo by Debbie Johnson) Fire blight on Bradford pear (Photo by Roger Meissen) ‘Tis the season for tree diseases thanks to cool temperatures and rain. Some are serious, others look worse than they are. The two main springtime invad

Large patch on zoysiagrass (Photo by Kent Faddis) Cool spring weather and moisture are perfect conditions for two troublesome lawn diseases. Brown patch is a fungal disease that attacks tall fescue. Large patch is a fungus that goes after  zoysiagrass. B