Bugs, insects, and arachnids don’t tend to be at the top of anyone’s list of favorite things. Unless perhaps you’re an entomologist, or an exterminator. But this is such a short sighted view of the world to take. Bugs take all sorts of forms, shapes, and sizes, and provide a huge variety of services to us and our world. When you think about it, it’s sort of difficult not to love them.

Most people are fairly indifferent to bees unless (more…)

One of my secrets joys in life is going barefoot. Ah, I can see you rolling your eyes and shaking your head right now. Are you thinking that perhaps going barefoot is unsanitary, or unsafe? Perhaps you’re thinking of my grimy feet at the end of it, or the calluses I’m slowly growing on my heels and on the balls of my foot.

It’s strange that people have this reaction to going barefoot when, after all, shoes haven’t been around (more…)

Where I live, outdoor festivals and events are a common events. Our council loves putting on these events, and it’s not uncommon to see a festival every week in the summer months. Obviously, winter’s less conducive to hanging around outside, but you’d be surprised at how many people will turn up to an event with their umbrellas and raincoats. Some festivals I’ve recently enjoyed have been the world music concerts held at one of the parks in the inner city. (more…)

If there’s one thing that most people agree on about the natural world, it’s that the Sun is an amazing and life-giving presence. While perhaps not everyone wants to be out in full sun for the hottest parts of the day, there’s definitely something about the sun that acts as a pick-me-up. I find that spending some time outside each day, whether it’s sitting in my front yard and reading a book, or going for a walk with my boyfriend, (more…)

There’s no denying that trying to live a more sustainable, environmentally friendly lifestyle is one of the challenges for the 21st century, and that it’s one that many people are trying to take up. However, while going green may sound daunting, the reality is that even by taking a few small steps, you can decrease your waste and energy consumption, and reduce your impact on our environment. Have a look at these tips for a few simple pointers. Use energy-saving (more…)

Coming from a long line of farmers, I grew up as a nature lover, and nothing has changed. I can never seem to get enough of all of the beautiful things that nature throws at us, whether it’s the gentle warmth of a summer day, or a new-born animal, or the lull of the rain drumming on the roof of my house. However, one of my absolute favorite designs of nature is the humble tree. Trees are hugely important (more…)

While some people don’t like the rain because of what it does to their hair and footwear, or because it means we have to lug about a sodden umbrella, there are a whole lot of things that I love about the rain.

Reading a book inside. There’s something infinitely satisfying about curling up on the couch inside the house with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day. I love watching the rain streak (more…)

I often spend an hour or so each day in my local library, musing over a quiet book or watching sleepy university students snooze their way through what is meant to be a study session. One of my favourite perks of the library, though, is not the huge collection of books or the impressive art installations, but rather the glossy black piano that sits upstairs—with an invitation to play it.

And people do. It’s glorious to watch schoolkids belt out (more…)