common_nature | Entries tagged with intro post

Hi everyone. I just joined this comm and wanted to quickly introduce myself before going downstairs to my first work-out class right in the building. I can't wait but I know I have to do so. Anyways...I am so excited to be a member of the comm. I and some building mates just started a garden out back. Actually we started it last spring but it kinda fizzled out. This year, each of us has our own sections of the garden. That was requested by one of my neighbors, and we thought it was a good idea so went with it. But I suppose I should talk more about our garden over at the appropriate comm.

Other than that, it's currently a bit rainy here in the Chicago suburbs but is predicted to clear up as the day progresses. As far as the temperature, we're finally starting to see spring- and summer-like temps. We just got central heating and cooling installed throughout the building. It took like forever, but it's finally here. I've got my air-conditioning going along with 2 ceiling fans, and it feels nice in here.

I think that's enough of an introduction for now, but I invite others to check out my journal. I'm working on a new landing page for my site, but that's taking a bit longer than originally planned. But please feel free to stop by, kick back, and just relax.

Name:

ysabetwordsmith

Location: Central Illinois. It used to be Zone 5b and is now Zone 6a. Some of the changes are dramatic.

Lot size: About 2 acres of rural territory. The yard by the house and south lot are mostly lawn. The streetside yard is forest. There's a savanna on the far side of the driveway, and then the prairiegarden. The ritual meadow and the orchard are toward the back. Nearby we have Fox Ridge State Park, which is lovely to drive through or stop for a hike or picnic. Grand Prairie Friends protects hundreds of acres of wildlife refuge ranging from restored prairie to upland forest and riverbottom land; members can visit whenever we like, and there's a river route that makes a very nice hike. Last summer our air conditioning broke, so we drove around a lot; I was surprised by how many farmers have put in prairie plots. Most were just 1-2 acres but the biggest were probably 10+ acres full of coneflowers, Queen Anne's lace, bluestem grass, meadowlarks, and goldfinches. Just today we went for a drive through some forested areas that my partner stumbled across the other night after missing a turn.

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