You would have to be an ass to refuse a taste of donkey rhubarb.

Donkey rhubarb is delicious, though not a relative of the garden variety many of us know better. More commonly called Japanese knotweed, this wild plant rivals regular rhubarb for the perfect pie and, best of all, it is a truly free food, found all over the Island. It is just now ready for harvesting, but will not last long in its tender, edible stage.

Fowler’s Modern English Usage takes a hard line.

Just try to pluralize the word octopus; I dare you. Say “octopodes” and Fowlers calls you “pedantic;” using the term “octopi” is simply misconceived. Fowler’s asserts that there is only one acceptable option and that is “octopuses.”

Coltsfoot is a horse of a different color. This early spring flower resembles a dandelion, but don’t be fooled. Its resemblance is superficial. The round yellow blossom is at first glance a look-alike, but upon inspection you can see some obvious differences.

The world can be divided into two categories: The haves and have-nots.

The same is the case in nature and, more specifically, in mammals. In the group of haves, you will find many species of primates (but not spider monkeys), rodents (minus the lagomorphs or rabbit family), moles, shrews, hedgehogs, bears, cats and dogs, walruses, seals, sea lions, raccoons, otter, bats, weasel and skunk, among others. These species can hold their heads high.

We all have a cross to bear, though some of us hide ours better than others.

Pinkletinks wear theirs on their backs. The spring peepers, one of the Island’s favorite harbingers of spring, can be identified by the dark cross on their backs. Their scientific name, Hyla crucifer, translates into “one that bears a cross.” X really does marks the spot to identify this favorite frog.