By Brandt Mannchen

 

The first Saturday of most months, a few volunteers gather at Marysee Prairie, the only restored tallgrass prairie in the Big Thicket, to cut and herbicide woody plants and on occasion to burn or mow the prairie to recycle nutrients and give all prairie plants a boost in growth.

 

Over the past 23 years, I have been to Marysee Prairie when it was cold, hot, wet, and humid.  But on Saturday, December 5, 2015, I worked on Marysee Prairie when the weather was perfect.  We had been having halcyon weather for several days so I was hoping that it would hold for our monthly workday.

 

As David, Alex, and I pulled up next to Tom the temperature was cool, probably in the low 50's, and the sun was shining brightly in a azure blue sky so clear that it seemed you could look past the fence-line trees, half-way around the world.

 

Over time, Frank, Glen, Heinz, Julie, and Maxine arrived.  Everyone worked hard.  The beautiful early winter browns, tans, yellows, greens, and reds streak Marysee with a colorful palette of incomparable tones, hues, and textures.

 

Only a few flowers still bloomed.  Blue Mist Flower, Prairie Gaura, Brown-eyed Susan, Canada Goldenrod, obedient plant, coreopsis, and various asters  struggled to give one last sign of life before they shut down and went quiet for the winter.

 

This was the season of seeding and the Liatris, goldenrod, Knotroot Bristle Grass, Swamp Sunflower, Bushy Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Yankeeweed, and other grasses and wildflowers floated their secret packages of life to the wind or to the ground.  We worked insistently, cutting the Sweetgum, Yaupon Holly, Southern Wax Myrtle, Water Oak, Common Persimmon, American Beautyberry, and other woody plants so that this prairie not only lived but thrived.

 

Sparrows flitted through and then landed in the thick grassy cover.  In the distance, a Pileated Woodpecker called and then during lunch showed itself to us as it flew across the northern end of Marysee.  A Belted Kingfisher made a surprise appearance, probably attracted to the next door neighbor's pond. 

 

The big lightning-struck pine had finally fallen over, but did not reach the ground because two Sweetgum trees held it firmly in their green embrace.  By leaning on the Sweetgum trees the pine had saved our fence, gate, and tool shed from immediate demise. 

 

It felt great eating, talking, and sitting with old friends.  Maxine brought out a wonderful spread.  We mammals all descended upon it in ravenous hunger.  There is nothing like hard work, brilliant sunshine, and clean, fresh air, to bring out that appetite and make you happy to be a human being and an animal.

 

After lunch we worked a bit longer.  But after being sated it was enough for us to feel fulfilled and happy about the work done and the meal eaten.  Not to mention the weather enjoyed.  Making memories outdoors is one of the best ways to connect with our “community of life”.  That and perfect weather!