Deborah S. Tukua

We haven’t had a dog since our treasured girl of many years passed away.

Imagine my surprise hearing a little dog bark just off our deck. I stopped what I was doing, froze, and listened. I heard the bark again. From the sound, I knew it was close, but nothing moved. Peering in that direction, I didn’t see a dog or any other animal. But it was there. Surely my ears weren’t deceiving me. The barking stopped as I walked to the far end of the deck. Sneaky creature, shut up as I scanned the grassy...

Growing up in Florida, we often swam in murky lakes and rivers without giving it much thought. Due to the presence of tannic acid, the water was the color of black tea, our family's favorite iced beverage. Wading in the warm water each summer, you couldn't see your feet or legs as you went deeper. We splashed and played never fearing the alligators and snakes residing in those brownish waters.

On one occasion and never again, we floated down Ichetucknee Springs in rubber inner tubes, bottoms...