Great Oak is Here!
I’ve been sharing that I was working on a nature and art activity book that is my love letter to oak trees. It’s called Great Oak, and it’s here! I am so proud of this book. I am proud that I put all of the pieces together, …
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Forest Bathing is Healthy
Forest Bathing can be really good for your health! According to Dr. Qing Li’s book “Forest Bathing“, forest bathing can: lower blood pressure alleviate stress improve the health of your heart and metabolism decrease blood sugar levels boost concentration and memory help with depression increase energy …
Story Quilt Workshop Review
This past Saturday, I taught the Story Quilt Workshop at Spring Bird’s Cottage! This was such a lovely day spent making quilts – one of my favorite things in the whole world! I shared with the group that for me, making story quilts is manifesting …
Walking in the Woods
A few weeks ago, Pat and I took a long walk in the woods, and the entire thing went like this cartoon. It was still lovely, but sometimes I understand why people are not leaping into the woods for hiking. There definitely can be uncomfortable …
Nature Notebooks Workshop Review
Last week, I taught the Nature Notebooks Workshop at Spring Bird’s Cottage. It was a lovely day that preceded that big snow that fell a couple of short, dark days later. The leaves were are muses as we plucked them from the forest floor collage …
October Sketchbook, Nature Journal
This is what happened in October! The letting go has been so beautiful. I just walk around with my jaw on the ground. Also, October had several animal encounters including snakes, deer, and migrating flocks of birds!!!
At home in Shizen
From Forest Bathing by Dr. Qing Li: “Shizen – which translates as ‘nature’, or ‘naturalness’ – is one of the seven principles of Zen aesthetics. The idea behind shizen is that we are all connected to nature, emotionally, spiritually and physically; and that the more closely something relates …
Walking Stick Completion
I finished off my walking stick! I decided to woodburn the name with some basic design decorations, and I tied on a woven strap from a Peruvian purse for some color. I was struggling to come up with a name. So, I turned to my …
Walking Softly – Part One
I’ve written a bit about the fallen oaks that have traumatized my heart. I know intellectually that their falling literally makes way for new growth, but it is hard to let go of those who stand greatly around us. So, I decided to honor one …
What is Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) ?
Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing is a practice of walking through the forest while engaging all of the senses as a means to sync our systems with nature. It is a form of forest medicine. In his book “Forest Bathing”, Dr. Qing Li writes, “Shinrin-yoku is …
Aunt Patti Tells Her Story
Recently, I was fortunate to meet my Mom’s cousin Patti, and spend time learning about her childhood and her love of the river and living off of the land. Their home on the island was surrounded by shallow waters that offered fish, muskrat, and plenty …
Collecting Nature
Spending time in nature can lead to many discoveries – some physical and others metaphysical. All are awesome. It also seems the more time we spend outdoors, the better able we are to notice things that are out of place- like a feather dropped or …
