Three small wild persimmons still attached to the same fallen branch crown a rowdy pile of bigger fallen branches. I strike a match. The bed of brittle cypress leaves lying feathered at the bottom of the pile sparkles and sends up sparks.

Pecan cake is probably my favorite way to enjoy pecans. I’ll take a slice of pecan cake over a piece of pecan pie any day of the week.

At the cottage I’m surrounded by trees and plants. My dad has kept a garden—usually several gardens at any given time—for as long as I can remember, and my mom has always made sure that the patio area and outdoor spaces were alive with flowers and ferns and interesting ivies and vines.