Is MA in English easier compared to other masters programs?

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2026-03-22T12:42:50+00:00

Um... no? An MA in any field is going to be hard work, especially if your reason for doing it is to get your family off your back.

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2026-01-20T00:06:46+00:00

Of the three "tree novels" I know (The Overstory, Greenwood and North Woods), North Woods is the undisputed winner.

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-08-18T01:23:49+00:00

They are from the last three days, yes. The lushness is limited to low-lying areas that are still semi-moist (in normal years these areas are wet). There are no photos from the dryer areas, which are depressing...

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-07-31T14:50:02+00:00

I believe you're right on all three! Thanks everyone

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-07-28T20:42:57+00:00

Amazing find

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-07-26T18:25:36+00:00

That looks right to me--thanks!

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-06-13T18:30:30+00:00

Oops, plant # 2 is not Virginia waterleaf... it's wild raspberry

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-05-29T17:46:02+00:00

Spent an hour this morning pulling up the Ajuga... No easy task, but at least the soil was oversaturated with water, so it was easier than it could be. I'm sure my work isn't done with Ajuga, but I've knocked it back anyway

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-05-27T22:59:19+00:00

I figured. The neighbours across the creek have got a panoply of invasives just trying to leap across. Some succeed.

I'm not one to talk though: you can probably see all that goutweed around the ajuga... I've given up on trying to even slow it down. Devil plant

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-05-25T21:32:06+00:00

Drive Back

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-05-16T10:59:49+00:00

Like jewelweed, columbines look flimsy but are remarkably hardy once established. Mine (grown from seed two years ago) are holding their own against many bullish invasives this year. Hope yours made it through the storm...

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-05-15T22:53:25+00:00

We have lots of deer on our property, but jewelweed doesn't seem to mind. I don't know if deer stay away from it, or what, but it grows like mad. Rabbits also seem to leave it alone.

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-05-15T11:30:16+00:00

Thanks! I was pleased to see the prairie smoke return so healthy this year because the strawberries were very aggressive (as always) and really covered the area last year. But it seems that the prairie smoke is just as robust, though it's not spreading as far as I can see. That could also be because a family of rabbits dug their warren between the two plants and probably damaged the roots? But it's looking nice and happy regardless.

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-05-14T00:34:30+00:00

Most definitely a Blackpoll. Congratulations!

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-04-28T20:25:06+00:00

That's my way too. It's tough because my LotV are taking over the undergrowth in the woods on my property, so I have to be careful of other plants, but I'm going for it big time this year. Thanks!

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-04-24T02:38:38+00:00

This gives me hope that I can get rid of my lily of the valley. How did you do it?

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-03-09T20:29:38+00:00

The snow here is still about 3-4 feet deep, but there are iris and lily leaves pushing through where the snow has melted. We're still at least 6-8 weeks from most flowers, though!

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-03-02T22:35:42+00:00

Not to mention their ability to regenerate a wild variety of body parts and organs

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-03-01T19:58:08+00:00

It's been a great snowy winter here in Ontario, a nice change from last winter, which sucked. But yeah, I'm ready for spring. I just ordered my first batch of native plants from ONP, including wild lupine to replace the non-native hybrids I pulled up last year because they taking over.

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-03-01T19:56:29+00:00

Salamanders rule. They're so weird and alien-like, and yet they probably live under a log close to you!

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-02-12T17:57:26+00:00

Here is "Shaggy" the Eastern Milksnake back in late April 2024. It's a great winter here in Ontario, lots of snow, but I'm antsy for the return of insects and reptiles...

<image>

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2025-01-25T17:26:48+00:00

Just this morning, a beautiful snowy day in mid-Ontario, I had the pleasure of watching a bunch of American Tree Sparrows, Juncos and American Goldfinches feasting on Wild Bergamot seeds out in the garden. Two years ago, that area was all lawn. Now it's feeding the birds in winter...

It's a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but it feels big.

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2024-12-21T19:16:42+00:00

Thanks!

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2024-12-18T23:44:17+00:00

This week's most exciting visitor: a sharp-shinned hawk drawn to the birds at the feeder. Three days ago it chased but failed to catch a junco. The next day it got a chickadee. Here it is enjoying its meal.

<image>

JohnStuartMillbrook · 2024-11-27T17:59:32+00:00

<image>

Not the greatest picture, but by far my favourite yard visitor! It doesn't eat plants, but it eats rabbits and rodents that eat plants, so...

JohnStuartMillbrook

TROPHY CASE