A Dark, Sweet Pleasure
As Seamus Heaney wrote in his poem, “Blackberry Picking,” the red berries finally “inked up and that hunger / sent us out” to harvest. It’s
August 8, 2011
Live With Flair
Enjoy the archive
The Ugliest Mushroom
I’m back in the woods for the first time all summer. As the sun sets, the children gather burrs to make the roof of a
August 7, 2011
Doing What You Love
Today I remember a conversation I had with my husband years ago. We were talking about careers and our future. We asked this question: “What
August 6, 2011
Seaweed and My Back-to-School Plan
I’m learning that children eat anything if you wrap it in seaweed. I make a pot of rice and then mix in some rice vinegar.
August 5, 2011
Positioned to Dance
The grove of trees behind my home stands completely still this morning. Except for one little tree. That tree’s bright green leaves shimmy and shake
August 4, 2011
Giving Your Full Attention
This afternoon, a friend tells me about a seminar she attended. She describes the teacher as someone who “gave his full attention to each person.”
August 3, 2011
A Message from a Pandora Sphinx Moth
I arrive into my driveway, and an enormous Pandora Sphinx Moth greets me. The moth–as big as my own hand–sits with authority as if sent
August 2, 2011
Verb of the Week
This morning, I talk to a student about the verb “rehabilitate.” It means to restore to normal, to recover, to reestablish good working order. In
August 1, 2011
Returning to a Garden
Arriving home, we immediately check on the blackberries. Deep black berries burst on the vine; we gobble them up and leave the red ones to
July 31, 2011
The Way You Should Go
On our journey home from Colorado, an older and wiser couple drive one hour ahead of us. They warn us of traffic or storms. They
July 30, 2011