![The Slowing Season](https://cdn.magzter.com/1357654495/1673339854/articles/fZa_A3rgG1675423245926/THE-SLOWING-SEASON.jpg)
Frank, an Eastern box turtle, lives in my family's backyard. While he is pet-like in that we have named him (I don't know what his turtle-mama named him, probably not Frank), he is not a pet. He is wild.
When he's not gracing us with a passing appearance on the back patio, Frank wanders the weedy, rambling hills of our bucolic Nashville-area home, taking care of himself. As winter approaches, his natural instincts tell him to preserve energy; so, he nestles under a layer of dirt and leaves for a long stretch of inactivity. This seasonal rest-called brumation, kind of like hibernation for cold-blooded animals-lasts from roughly late October to April.
This story is from the February - March 2023 edition of Country Living.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February - March 2023 edition of Country Living.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![FARM and AWAY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1301504/ABL1l8wKO1683801280452/FARM-AND-AWAY.jpg)
FARM and AWAY
When your country cabin is in a place called Summertown, you better believe there's plenty of fresh-air fun to be had
![Homegrown Branching Out](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1301504/bg-FnGUfk1683800194163/HOMEGROWN-BRANCHING-OUT.jpg)
Homegrown Branching Out
A cross-country move to Washington's San Juan Islands prompted Audra Query Lawlor to begin preserving the region's heritage, one jam jar at a time
![Picnics & Parties Just Add Saltwater](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1301504/2k8G2QO1Y1683799963726/PICNICS-PARTIES-JUST-ADD-SALTWATER.jpg)
Picnics & Parties Just Add Saltwater
At her 1930s converted fish camp in Savannah, designer Elizabeth Demos keeps it casual for a come-as-you-are evening down by the dock
![In With the Old Swing Your Partner](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1301504/ONk1g3nLQ1683799630960/IN-WITH-THE-OLD-SWING-YOUR-PARTNER.jpg)
In With the Old Swing Your Partner
Sashay your way to a striking display with colorful Western square dance memorabilia
![Across the Pond - All Hands on Deck](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1301504/wyONK9-tI1683794965914/ACROSS-THE-POND-ALL-HANDS-ON-DECK.jpg)
Across the Pond - All Hands on Deck
When a family of creative spirits sets out to restore a centuries-old English boathouse, the result is a jaunty seaside sanctuary
![Country Comeback Quilty Pleasures](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1301504/6YnaUIYKS1683794603575/COUNTRY-COMEBACK-QUILTY-PLEASURES.jpg)
Country Comeback Quilty Pleasures
Equally timeless and trendy, pieced and patchwork quilts are comfort food in coverlet form
![Currently Craving A Party-Ready Outdoor Kitchen](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1301504/FeHLjaHiy1683794122902/CURRENTLY-CRAVING-A-PARTYREADY-OUTDOOR-KITCHEN.jpg)
Currently Craving A Party-Ready Outdoor Kitchen
Mallorie and Jim Rasberry of HGTV's Home Town serve up ample Southern style at their family cabin outside of Laurel, Mississippi
![Perfectly Imperfect Creaky Screen Doors](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1301504/pp1U_D3Hx1683793924490/PERFECTLY-IMPERFECT-CREAKY-SCREEN-DOORS.jpg)
Perfectly Imperfect Creaky Screen Doors
Nothing complements the come-and-go casualness of summer like this mesh mainstay
![No Place Like Home](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1236767/63zS6jgDv1679572070990/NO-PLACE-LIKE-HOME.jpg)
No Place Like Home
A worn and weathered set of skeleton keys represents a rich life under one roof.
![Hide-and-Seek](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2240/1236767/C6FjgIF2C1679571987619/HIDEANDSEEK.jpg)
Hide-and-Seek
Patience proves paramount when author Tove Danovich's feisty flock of backyard hens sends her on an unconventional egg hunt.