What the heck are Mackerel Skies?
You know those days you look into the sky and see a bunch of wispy clouds stacked close together? Those are mackerel skies. There’s even an old rhyme about them.
Mackerel sky
Mackerel sky
Never long wet
Never long dry
The phrase basically means that a change in weather is coming, signaled by the mackerel sky. I like the idea of mackerel skies, of change in the air. It seems a fitting title as I dip my toes into the world of newsletter writing. So what exactly is this newsletter for?
Picture of a Mackerel Sky. Image credit: Thomas Cizauskas
Sharing About Life Out Here In Michigan
My hope is for this to be a place to share what’s out here in the slice of Michigan that I call home.
I like the phrase “out here” as a signal of sorts. It lets you know what a place is about. As in out here in Michigan the robins are the first bird you hear in the morning. Or out here we have winter for five months. Or out here the redbuds bloom first. Or out here our squirrels are grey or black, but rarely brown. Or out here you can pick mulberries in July.
In order to know what it’s like out here you have to, well, get outside. That’s what this newsletter is, a challenge to get outside. Mostly it’s a challenge to myself, but I encourage you to get out there too.
Out-Out There
As a queer folk, I also love the other meaning of the word out. As in out of the closet, or out in the open. Since coming out over the past few years, being out to my community and spending time outside share a kindred nature. Both share a connection to curiosity and a spirit of openness.
While I continue on my journey as a naturalist, as a queer person, as a human being I am eager to continue in all sorts of explorations. I’m not sure what my queerness has to do with my love of moss and muskrats and birds, but both are core to what makes me me and I’m excited to share more about those keystones all you who decide to subscribe to Mackerel Skies.
What can you expect?
On dog walks, biking excursions, camping trips, I’ll be on the lookout for the season’s flora and fauna. I’m sure at times, I’ll also find a way to braid those sightings with whatever other serendipities are happening in my life.
Who knows what this newsletter will hold? Not me! This will be an adventure to be sure!
Stay up-to-date
If you subscribe, you won’t have to worry about checking in on this webpage. Every newsletter will zip directly to your inbox. Neat!