Born in a snowstorm before snowplows, growing up on a farm, working in a shirt factory in the Depression, finishing a two year teacher training program, teaching one room school, consolidated school and city schools. BS from Lebanon Valley College 1943 - PhD., Cornell 1949. Teaching and being Dean at Fitchburg State College. Married Robert Russell. When he decided to go to Columbia University we lived in graduate housing. I started conducting workshops in newly organized nature centers. Over the years joyously teaching pre-K thru graduate school and Elderhostel. This story is intersphersed with chapters like snakes, poison ivy, birds, rodents, along with first Nations Peoples experiences.