Breaking News

Saturday: Weekend

Taking Note: Sunset reflections

The clock didn’t even read 5 p.m. yet, but the sun was already sinking, hanging low above the horizon. When I looked straight ahead, the sky was already a deep, dusky blue. But as I turned to peer through my rearview mirror, I could see the rainbow of sunset hues lighting up the sky, a final dance of color to conclude the day. Through the driver’s side mirror, I could even see the mixture of purples, blues, oranges, yellows and reds setting the shiny surface of my car door aglow with color. The sunset reflection on the door was almost as beautiful as looking at the real thing. ...

Snowy owl rescued

This is a snowy owl that was rescued and brought to the Chocolay Raptor Center in Harvey early Thanksgiving morning. It was emaciated and weak, but tolerated gavage therapy and was getting stronger. Gavage therapy uses a small tune placed through the nose or mouth. The raptor center hopes ...

Taking note: A long journey home

The gusts of wind just kept coming. Thumps and strange noises in the distance indicated these gusts had the power to rip down tree branches and send recycling bins tumbling over. The very bones of my house seemed to rattle and creak. It was a strong wind, one that made me glad to be inside, safe and warm, listening to it howl. It was a wind that seemed like it should carry inches upon inches of snow, but nothing fell. In fact, the little bit of snow on the ground was melting, helped along by several hours of sunshine during the day. This is the type of early December weather I ...

Taking note: Winter Wonders

It was one of those mornings in late autumn that oddly felt like springtime. A thin layer of ice was slowly melting on the pavement. Water slowly dripped from the roof. Birds sang in the distance. Although it felt a little like early April, the moment was all the more beautiful and peaceful against the blue dawn light of late November. It’s that weak, beautiful type of light that seems ever-present this time of year, at dawn, at dusk, and even in the afternoons. It’s this type of late fall light that I learned as a child to associate with approaching snowstorms and ...

Taking note: Fond memories

The warmth of the sun and the sweet, humid breeze were a pleasant surprise. Just a few hours before, small, icy flakes were raining down from the sky, hitting the pavement with what sounded like a hard sizzle. The days before were unusually warm, to the point of breaking high-temperature records. But before the strangely hot stretch of days hit earlier this month, October brought us record-breaking cold and snowfall. This dance at the border of seasons can feel endless and jolting sometimes. Every time I think I’ve settled into fall, it seemingly becomes spring, summer or winter ...