Tunes & Tales

Last week I was walking through the front yard of my parents’ home with my four-year-old daughter. She stopped when she saw a small stick, seemingly insignificant, about three inches long. She picked it up and handed it to me. She said, “Look Dad, that’s star lichen. I want you to have it.” She then put it in the pocket of my blue jeans.

Remi and I play outside as often as we can manage. Yes, I have my moments when, as a tired dad, I lie sluggishly next to her while she s...