The Gladness of Nature

By William Cullen Bryant

Is this a time to be cloudy and sad,

When our mother Nature laughs around; When even the deep blue heavens look glad,

And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground?

There are notes of joy from the hang-bird and wren,

And the gossip of swallows through all the sky; The ground-squirrel gayly chirps by his den,

And the wilding bee hums merrily by.

The clouds are at play in the azure space,

And their shadows at play on the bright green vale, And here they stretch to the frolic chase,

And there they roll on the easy gale.

There’s a dance of leaves in that aspen bower,

There’s a titter of winds in that beechen tree, There’s a smile on the fruit, and a smile on the flower,

And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea.

And look at the broad-faced sun, how he smiles

On the dewy earth that smiles in his ray, On the leaping waters and gay young isles;

Ay, look, and he’ll smile thy gloom away.

A waterfall flows through Umnak, one of the islands in the Aleutian archipelago of Alaska.

Contents

Features

8 | Into the Wild Can exploring the wilderness be a life-changing experience? Mule packer Chris Eyer gives a resounding yes.

12 | Pillars of Resilience

Marine veteran Chad Robichaux forges an approach to support veterans’ recovery from trauma.

20 | The Charming Pat Boone He captured the hearts of many during the 1950s with his sweet voice and family values. Now 88, he still fiercely believes in the power of doing good.

24 | Front-Rowe Seat

Viewers labor vicariously in “dirty jobs” through America’s favorite apprentice, Mike Rowe.

32 | Why I Love America

A man raised on baseball and patriotism creates nine truisms based on the intrinsic values of America’s pastime.

34 | Family Roots

A family legend recalls how cousin Chuck caught America’s most wanted and protected the vulnerable.

36 | Aging With Wisdom

Actress Suzanne Somers on embracing the future with gratitude and grace.

History

38 | Wars and Westerns

Actor John Wayne became the face of America by starring in films that promoted the nation’s greatness.

44 | Creating Charlie Brown

Charles Schulz’s beloved “Peanuts” comic strip was the result of decades of dreams and perseverance.

48 | The Patriots of April

The first shot fired at Lexington Green signaled the birth of America’s revolution.

52 | ‘Our American Rose’

Singing to pay off her parents’ debt, Rosa Ponselle was an untrained vocalist who became the nation’s best-loved prima donna.

56 | Quick-Witted Quips

Some of our nation’s leaders were quick on the draw with their sharp wits.

58 | Golden Age of Musicals

Blending poetic lyrics with a sophisticated plot, Rodgers and Hammerstein redefined the era of American musicals.

62 | Book Recommender

Meticulously researched, “Union General” is the first biography of the nearly forgotten Civil War general who never lost a battle.

Lifestyle