Not being raised in a location where shingle (pebble) beaches are common, the idea of pebble collecting was not one of which I became aware until a few years ago, when I happened upon the 2018 re-issue of Clarence Ellis’ classic 1954 book “The Pebbles on the Beach; A Spotter’s Guide.” I was instantly captivated by the past-time’s delightful combination of gentle contemplativeness, potential for surprises, and connection to natural history.
As most any naturalist with a healthy interest in words does, I’ve long enjoyed the past-time of venereal – or collective – nouns. From the traditional, widely known, and more-or-less official – an exhalation of larks, a school of fish, a pack of wolves – to the playful and decidedly unofficial – an aroma of […]
You’ve likely heard different animals referenced in regard to economic phenomena (bull market, bear market, black swan, etc.), but have you ever wondered how and why the jargon of business and finance has come to associate certain animals with different occurrences, trends, and entities?
One of the buildings that attracts the most attention in picturesque Lakeside, Ohio is most certainly “The Pavilion.” From its shaded porches, one can sit, relax, and take in the beauty of Lake Erie. During the height of the summer months, these porches are likely crowded with people; during my own visit they were blissfully […]