Navigating the North Side of 50

Living in Wisconsin immeasurable opportunities to escape.  When I am angry, sad, broken down mentally or physically, getting outside makes a huge difference to me.  Relief comes from equal parts seeing nature doing its thing with no regard to my concerns and my putting technology away for a few hours. On a millennial time scale however, nature isn't as chill as it looks.  When I look closely, I can't help but notice that plants, animals, insects and even inert objects are stressing out these past few years.  Monarch butterflies I used to net and study are nowhere to be seen in the fields and parks. Eastern Bluebirds no longer frequent fence lines along roads that I walk and bike. Whitetail deer wander through my yard at all times of the day to graze on Becki's flowers, garden plants, and in winter, birdseed in her feeders.  It is late January and there has been little snow cover, daily high temperatures last week exceeded 50°F, breaking records in many parts of ...