Starting 2008 at Hawk Circle

As I write this, I am on my way to Hawk Circle for their winter survival skills class. I will wake up in a nature setting on New Years Day. I expect to be transformed.

Read full story Comments { 0 }

How Evergreen Trees Survive Winter

I was reading my survival skill class notes. I haven’t looked at these in a number of years. I’m impressed with the complete explanations and careful drawings. I just modified my pine needle tea recipe. The needles nearer the trunk are higher in Vitamin C than needles on outer branches. 

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Rent a Living Christmas Tree

Now, that’s a really green idea. I wish the Original Living Christmas Tree company had offices in every community in the country. I love the idea of the tree. I hate the slaughter. This makes sense. They grow the tree and deliver it to you for the holiday. You decorate and care for the tree. [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Ten Ways to Welcome the Winter Solstice

The shortest day of the year is not only the darkest, but often the coldest day. Here are some ways to celebrate the fact that after December 22 at 1:08 AM EST, the days will start getting longer

Read full story Comments { 0 }

The Best Holiday Gifts

Gift giving is really important for the giver and the receiver. Shopping can be overwhelming when there are a myriad of choices. Here are two really excellent ways to spend holiday dollars. Kiva helps provide micro-loans to third-world businesses. What an excellent way to teach a young person about finance and charity. For the budding [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Rose Barlow: A Forager Discovers Me

I was surprised and delighted to hear from a fellow forager, who has streamlined black walnut harvesting. I’m waiting for the ice storms to pass, so I can go outdoors and try it out. I profoundly grateful that Rose Barlow of Prodigal Gardens, took the time to visit my site and make a valuable contribution. [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Freewrite Thoughts on Survival

I don’t spend time efficiently, according to the business models. I spent weeks scrubbing the hulls of black walnuts, when I could have been marketing myself. I have never looked at the world through conventional eyes; I’m beginning to feel very blessed to have my skewed point of view.

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Green Shopping: A Nature Oxymoron?

Is green shopping like jumbo shrimp or deafening silence? The whole idea of living green is to reduce consumption. I understand the foundation of our culture is marketing. But sustainable living is not about marketing. It’s about making our own conscious decisions.

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Bee Movie: A Wasted Opportunity

Male bees don’t have stingers. That’s just one of the things wrong with this animated film. I’m clueless at the decision-making that lead to this bizarre script. Are men in our culture so insecure that they have to depart from the way real bees live? It wouldn’t be such a big deal, except bees are [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }