Fighting the Marching Malaise of Winter

Over the last few days, I've felt an army of malaise slowly marching up my spine. I've made good progress on some things around the ...

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Throwing Away the Man Card

Like many parents around the country, my head and heart have been ricocheting between helpless desperation and new-found resolve since the t...

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Breaking New Ground

More than three years ago, I started blogging at From the Soil. In that first post , I called it a garden blog. Tonight, more than ever, I k...

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Our True Calling?

The woods. There's no place I'd rather be on an overcast day as the season attempts to ring winter's bell. Thick clouds obscure ...

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The Voice of the Woods

Except for the snow-covered dead of winter, the woods are rarely silent. Leaves crunch under each step. A woodpecker knocks in search of a m...

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Thank You, Unconditionally

My son opened our bedroom door this morning, with a "Happy Thanksgiving! Is it okay if I let Gem and Tigerlily in?" "Of cours...

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Revealing the Wizard

I was pulling a cart through the shrub and perennial section of Country Arbors earlier this fall, looking for more plants to complete the de...

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Flipping the Turkey. Giving. Thanks. Happy.

There are entire bookstore sections dedicated to the subject of finding happiness. I've certainly browsed through a few of these tomes, ...

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Blessings, Rearranged

I smiled as I walked up to the drug store clerk earlier this week, placing a handful of items on the counter and greeting her with a simple,...

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Silence, with the Exception of a Rooster

It's been a long few weeks. I've felt them starting to drag on me, but I didn't realize that it was so obvious from the outside....

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Finding Awesome in the Garden

I'm an early riser in general, even on the weekends. It's just me and my coffee for the first hour or so on most Saturday mornings. ...

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Generosity To Remember

Whenever I receive a monetary gift, I make an attempt to spend it on something long-lasting that will help remind me of the giver when I use...

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Even Cathedrals Have To Take Out the Trash

I was talking with some gardening friends last week, and the conversation turned to religion and spirituality. This particular group couldn...

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The Sound of First Steps

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us." --Marcel...

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Gravity Below

Last night's sunset helped me understand that I need to work much harder at recognizing the past for what it is while letting its gravit...

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Ignoring the Tough Guy

On October 4, nearly three weeks ago, I noticed an echo in my left ear. Middle to high-frequency sounds seemed to be arriving a millisecond ...

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New Heights

I'll admit it. I'm not good with heights. I wouldn't go so far as saying I'm petrified of them, but climbing to wide open he...

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An Eager Soul, Ready Lens, and Perpetually Dirty Gloves

Light from the dining room creeps a few feet into the darkness outside, revealing a smattering of soggy leaves on the back deck. It's be...

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Finding Beauty in the Weeds

No matter how it's sliced, this summer has been a brutal one. Excessive heat and drought across the country have taken their toll on law...

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The Garden Will Be There When You Are Ready

A few days ago, a friend was lamenting her embarrassment over her inability to find time to tend to her garden. I could instantly relate, as...

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