Today marks the first full day of the Jewish New Year—Rosh Hashanah actually began at sundown yesterday—and, according to the faithful, the festivities mark the opening of 5778 in the Hebrew calendar... the number of years since Creation. I was born Jewish, and though I spent most of my formative years in temple on this very day, I was never able to connect with a congregation in my so-called adulthood. So, somewhat sadly, I wasn't going to be listening to the soul-stirring sounds of the Shofar nor reading a litany of prayers asking for forgiveness and reconciliation. Instead, I'd be working with a group of incredible environmental education teachers at the University of Rhode Island's W. Alton Jones Campus and trying to impart whatever natural history wisdom and inspiration I could. I guess I do this with an almost religious fervor, and I hope and pray that it's doing some good. (I guess it must be, since they invite me back several times a year.) Still, part of me missed being in temple, but on the trail, I found this snake skin that a serpent recently shed to grow larger. There's no better metaphor for a New Year. Happy 5778!