– The Blog
Notes From Home
These are stories I lived and still carry: reflections on growing up on a farm, on what it means to leave and return, and on the urgency of preserving land, legacies, and a rural way of life.
Writing Deliberately About Nature
What does it mean to be a nature writer and to write deliberately about nature? I turned to a few nature writing courses to explore various approaches to nature writing over centuries. Two important contemporary nature writers who championed the observation and preservation of the natural world have died recently, leaving us to lift up their voices and to protect the voice of nature.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Sweet Betsy
A sweet Betsy bush I loved as a child and for decades beyond has disappeared without a trace. Each spring, I looked forward to the arrival of maroon buds that opened in layers to emit an unforgettable sweet, spicy fragrance. I set out to discover what could have caused its demise.
Making the Cut: Pruning Foliage and Invasive Plants
As steward of a farm, I am tasked with cutting back trees and bushes, many growing of their own volition. What start as innocent saplings, barely noticed, can grow quickly and spread through shoots or dispersal of seeds from plants or birds.
The Pond: Minnows, Memories, and Microcosm
The pond wasn’t always there. Among my earliest memories, I walked with my mother along a path in the woods, encountering a large puddle of water. I squatted and stared at a turtle that looked back at me before it retreated into its portable home.
Earth Day and Thoreau: Celebrating Nature!
On Earth Day, millions across the globe urge us to be mindful of nature, our atmosphere, and environment. Long before Earth Day began in 1970, Henry David Thoreau proclaimed the need to know and honor nature and acknowledge our connection to it.
Cedar and Light: A Country Christmas Tree Memory
In this flash Christmas memoir, siblings walk their woods in search of an elusive cedar tree just the right size and shape to become the family Christmas tree.
Nature as Healer, Teacher, and Refuge
Nature has always been my refuge—a quiet healer and teacher. From childhood days watching trees sway outside my window to adult walks in the woods or along the sea, I’ve found comfort, clarity, and a sense of God’s presence in the natural world. Even the smallest glimpse of nature reminds me to slow down, breathe, and trust that renewal is always possible.