My name is Mercedes Pisano, and I live and work in and around downtown Guelph. I am a florist by trade, philosopher and classical singer by training, and gardener and knitter most of the rest of the time. In an alternate reality, I studied geology in school. I am a homebody who loves travelling to European cities and to the backcountry for camping. In the winter, I most love to have dance parties with friends and family and get out on my wooden cross-country skis when the weather is good. If I had a favourite tree it would be the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). My favourite bird used to be the Red Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), but now, if I had a favourite, it would be the Red-Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), especially during winter.