Crossing Wyoming

By Eilene Lyon We’re rolling westward on Interstate 80 in southern Wyoming, on our way to do breeding bird surveys along a proposed transmission line route. The rising sun is adding fire to the stratus clouds hanging low in the sky. Our Ford Super Duty truck passes plains and low hills draped in sagebrush and... Continue Reading →

June 24, 2018 2

La Canción es la Cosa

By Eilene Lyon See a gringa in this mariachi band? Yup, that’s me! Sorry, no big sombrero or fancy conchas down my pant legs, but I really am blasting out “Volver, Volver” on my silver Getzen trumpet. My parents were both musical (not so much these days). They insisted that my brothers and I get... Continue Reading →

June 21, 2018 14

The Drought Diaries

Introduction By Eilene Lyon August 1, 1936, Saturday July has gone, and still no rain. This is the worst summer yet. -- Ann Marie Low Dust Bowl Diary May 30, 2018 Free2BD and I decided to take a drive in the convertible up East Animas Road. It was one of those days when the cotton-ball... Continue Reading →

June 17, 2018 23

Read ‘Em and Reap

By Eilene Lyon You might think that should read “Read ‘Em and Weep” and you’d be right. That’s almost what I felt like doing after harvesting my peas this week. Honestly, I love all kinds of peas: those lovely emerald orbs, the edible snow pea pods… But my favorite, especially for growing myself, are the... Continue Reading →

June 16, 2018 10

Bike and Barge: Holland

By Eilene Lyon The bike and barge trip in the Netherlands was our third such adventure, but I highly recommend the tulip tour for anyone's first exploration. You don't have to be in super-fit condition to do the riding. We were booked on the Elodie, fairly small as barges go: 13 passengers plus our guide... Continue Reading →

June 14, 2018 14

Death Day

By Eilene Lyon “It’s not that I’m afraid to die. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” – Woody Allen “Ugh. Death. What a depressing topic!” you must be thinking. I really do apologize for bringing up this indelicate subject on your lovely weekend. But this is a blog about learning from... Continue Reading →

June 10, 2018 19

The National Road: Both Obsolete and Ahead of Its Time

By Eilene Lyon On a genealogy trip to Belmont and Guernsey counties in Ohio last year, I encountered the National Road when I stopped at the wonderful museum in downtown St. Clairsville. During my travels there and heading west toward home, I enjoyed bits and pieces of this historic corridor that played a role in... Continue Reading →

June 7, 2018 16

History in the Making (A Poem to Build On)

By Eilene Lyon Generally, I will stay away from politics. This is a history blog, right? But history is in the making every day. Also, I am by no means a poet. With that in mind, I’ve begun this poem, but really think it needs more verses. I’m sure you can help! He Says... Continue Reading →

June 6, 2018 3

One Fjord is Never Enough

Day One/Two in Norway By Eilene Lyon After spending nine days in the Netherlands, we boarded a jet in Amsterdam for Bergen, Norway, to spend a week in the northwestern fjords. This was the flexible part of our trip, as we made no plans beyond the first day. View of the Norwegian coast near Bergen... Continue Reading →

June 3, 2018 14