Lit oil lamps on a wooden surface

Ready or Not

The good news is that so many of our fall and winter holidays bring light into our dark season. It’s a season of so many mixed feelings. The joy of being with people we love; the sadness of missing those who can’t be with us; the contrast between the idealized holiday images and what we really experience.

Green seedlings after wildfire

Yes and Yes

The good news was that some of the long-buried seeds of long-forgotten native plants were bursting forth with new life. Some seeds only open up for new growth after a fire.

Purple and cream swatches of hand knitting

Puzzle Pieces

There’s a period of time for muddling through and wondering if you’ll ever get it. And then, at some magical point, it all makes sense. When it makes sense, it suddenly seems simple and obvious. How could I not see that before?

Tree with fall leaves with a meadow, creek, and a small bridge in the background.

Helping Out

Sitting on the front porch this morning, there was a tiny bit of fall in the air. But my thoughts kept going back to western North Carolina.

American Beauty Berry next to a small pond

Imperfect Beauty

We’re like that too. Flawed and beautiful. Worthy of taking up space on the planet. Worthy of taking a closer look, to find the brilliance. Worthy of taking some time for ourselves.

Gika's hands making felt cording, wrapped around a dowel

Handwork

For millions of years, we humans have been making things with our hands. We transform materials to make objects that are functional and often beautiful. There’s something magical about the process. But it’s not just magical; it’s also essential to our well being. The things we make with our hands clothe us, feed us and shelter us.

Hands on drums

Slow Slow Quick Quick

The desired changes rarely happen overnight, and somewhere along the way, it feels like a slog.

Breakfast thali - brass tray with a variety of Indian foods, and a coffee cup in the background

Morning Thali

Moshe Feldenkrais and Thomas Leonard each spoke about creating conditions that support leaning and growth. Feldenkrais used attention to movement, and Leonard used “conversations with a bit of wisdom thrown in.”

Felt heart (gold on red background)

Friends You Can Count On

One of those friends, had some really great sayings. They pop into my head, often at just the right time. Maybe they’re good for you, too.

Woman wearing a blue shirt and polka dot hat, holding a wrench, below a sign that says, Take the Day Off."

When Work Doesn’t Feel Like Work

The pleasure of spending time with bright curious people who are investing time and energy in making useful changes is remarkable. How can that feel like work?