Equinox explained. And you need this cool, “daylight-darkness” chart…
To my chop-wood, carry-water friend Mary, the equinox means one thing: Time to dig the ashes out of the woodstove. For the rest of us, let’s dive into a little
Gardening
Insights
If attitude is everything, what’s yours — right now?
Winston Churchill once said, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” What is your attitude—right now, at this moment—toward your spouse? Your kids? Your
Photography
How simple photos can soothe a tangled world. Really.
On a drizzly Monday morning, eight people gathered in our living room. They came to absorb a few photography tips and nibble on warm, oatmeal cookies. Little did they know that this was more than a
Gardening
Whale Ahoy! Plus the #1 Essential Tip for Your Summer Garden
What do whales and your summer garden have in common? I’ll share a tip that has solved many a garden problem. But let’s begin with a story: One morning, we departed the Kodiak boat harbor on our boat. As luck would have it,
Insights
3 Personal Stories to Prove that Miracles Do Happen
What are miracles? Coincidences? Lucky accidents reserved for saints? If you’ve ever wondered if magic is real, these stories will confirm that modern-day miracles do happen. And that you
Insights
Do you believe in magic? A sea glass story from Kodiak Island
On Kodiak Island, you’ll find a special beach at the end of a forest trail. We call it Glass Beach. Tides deliver colorful shards of sea glass, twisted copper bits, even World War II dog tags. One time, Glass Beach delivered not glass, but an answer to
Gardening, Insights
Who is Mother Nature? Let’s ask Dr. Seuss, Beethoven, and Julia Roberts
Is Mother Nature a lovely goddess draped in green? Or an old hag that stirs up violent tornadoes? If you dare, I’m going to share one of life’s
Insights, Photography
How to make enchanting “Little Planet” photos
When you look at Little Planet photos, you can’t help but smile. And they are easy to make, whether you have a smartphone or
Insights
How to end plastic pollution like this 10-year old activist
If trends continue, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.* A sobering thought. But 10-year old Lilly Platt is attacking the world’s plastic problem. She began by launching Lilly’s Plastic Pickup to educate the rest of us. No small task. And to think
Cooking
Guide to the 20 best benefits of lemon
In Kodiak, Alaska, lemons do not grow on trees. So when lemons went on sale at Safeway, I bought a dozen. Thankfully, friends and family members sent me dozens of how-to-use lemon tips. Here is a zesty Top 20, from
Insights
How to motivate yourself when you don’t feel like it
What chores do you avoid? Maybe it’s cleaning the bathroom. Or grocery shopping. For me, weeding was a grueling chore. Then I came across Daniel Pink’s “Pinkcast” called
Insights, Photography
How to love a bumblebee
Let’s face it. Honeybees get all the attention. They’re cute, fuzzy and necessary to our survival. But so are bumblebees. Maybe more so. But I didn’t know that stuff until
Gardening
When Michelle Obama dug up the White House lawn
During World War I President Woodrow Wilson asked Americans to plant vegetable gardens “to ward off the possible threat of food shortages.” By 1943, victory gardens supplied an amazing 40 percent
Insights
What is the #1 goal you need to complete your bucket list?
There’s something really satisfying about checking a goal off your bucket list. Your goal might emerge on cue, like a sunrise. Or demand patience. Here’s what happened at 4,000 feet in Joshua Tree
Cooking
Win friends with chocolate avocado mint pudding. Really?
Do you like to indulge in a little sweet after dinner? Me, too. But are you also trying to cut down on sugar? Well, have I got something for you! It’s a dark chocolate pudding that is dairy-free, gluten
Gardening, Kodiak, AK
My podcast story: I want to be open to the gifts
On a beautiful fall day, podcaster Catherine Praiswater stopped by the garden to ask me about the birds and the bees. Eagles and bumblebees, actually. She adjusted
Photography
RAW vs JPEG: Why both formats are good
If you want a chicken soup that fills the house with rich, savory smells, you probably won’t reach for Campbell’s chicken noodle soup. But if you’re in a hurry, canned soup might be fine. Same with photography. If you want the best photos,