There’s that distinctive sound freshly frosted fern fronds make when stepped upon. It’s different than the snap of exhausted twigs, or a bed of pine needles gathered for their winter sleep over.

It’s the sound of saltine crackers being crumbled into that first fall minestrone simmering on the wood stove.

Jimmy is a writer from Portland, Oregon. Having worked in the horticultural side of life for over 30 years, he is now working on a book about his backpacking adventures around South Asia in the early 1990’s.