This Winter Night

[Editor's Note: Earlier this week during one of my nightly jaunts to do some chores outside, I was captivated by my surroundings in a way I hadn't felt before. It's been a long time since I wrote -- and shared so quickly -- poetry. I hope it can deliver a sense of what I experienced.] The cold – piercing shiver of solitude Riding the back of the bitter wind it impales with... Read More

Star Struck

“Hitch your wagon to a star.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Most nights, after the kids have nestled into bed and the kitchen is cleaned from dinner, I undertake an almost daily ritual. Grabbing the compost bucket from under the counter and donning my headlamp, I venture outside into the night to do some chores. It’s a quick walk to the edge of the backyard — past... Read More

Thanksgiving Wishes for You and Yours

As we drawer closer to the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to take a brief moment to wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe day with friends and family. I continue to be so very thankful for your readership, comments and sharing. It is truly humbling. In a world so full of hustle and bustle, I hope you can find time to pause and reflect on all those simple things which make each... Read More

7 Billion Reasons

Quietly and with modest fanfare, the Earth welcomed its seven billionth human on Monday. And like all who came before this child across the millenia, the Earth surrounded this human with an abundance of life-sustaining gifts: Air to breath, fresh water to drink, and fertile land to grow food. As this child grows, the Earth will continue to selflessly give of itself: Trees for wood... Read More

The Ups and Downs of Eating Local (And What You Can Do About It)

Our youngest carries our first two eggs from the coop (Editor’s Note: This is the final post chronicling our two-week 125-mile food challenge. You can read the other posts here. A special thanks goes out to all our friends and family who offered lots of support and encouragement along the way. Food does create community!) On October 1st, our family took on a little two-week... Read More

Why Connecting Kids With Nature Could Just Save the World

We approached the river cautiously. The trail guide said we could get across using stepping stones but with the recent rains the water was high and swiftly moving. The kaleidoscope of yellow-orange-red-cream river rocks shimmered beneath the water’s flow as the river exhaled a cool breeze from its surface to refresh our sweaty brows. With gear-laden packs strapped to our... Read More