Two Milwaukee-area chapters of Wild Ones were kind enough to invite me to present my Your Homemade Wilderness program yesterday. It was a visual treat to start the morning at the North Chapter at the new Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, a handsome “green” facility on a wooded bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. I thank all who attended, but especially dear Dorothy Boyer, who provided a laptop to make the projector connection for my iMovie DVD, and Ney Tait Fraser, who surprised me with her darling manual The Art of Mending the Earth and educated me about the woodworker’s Japanese handsaw which she has used to great effect in battling back burdock. The lightweight tool has fine teeth like a bread knife, and I can imagine it would be more comfortable and convenient to use than scissoring cutters.

The Wehr Wild Ones, my alma mater chapter, filled the room for our afternoon meeting. I appreciate the technological assistance of Howard and Woolly, and the kind introduction by Pat Brust. (One of these days I’m going to have to photograph your face instead of your back, Pat.) Everyone was great to pal around with. You guys are the best.