The winds of my life have been persistent, like the winds in Texas can sometimes be. Constant, blowing your hair in your face, pushing your car door shut, sending that needed piece of paper in your hand skittering down the street as you chase after it. Not devastating winds, not tornadic whirlwinds or bend-you-double-with-their-force winds,…
Tag: nature
My Many Animal Friends at the Orange Grove
I have always had a deep interest in the natural world. I have become even more engaged since moving to the orange grove, where I am often outside, surrounded by trees, birds, and animals. Since moving here, I have learned how destructive gophers are to orange trees—we lose several trees yearly to gophers chewing tree…
Flash Fiction: Hidden Benefits
I wrote this a while back but saw a dandelion today and thought of this story. I found it tonight and decided I’d share. I sink the trowel into the soft ground, digging down to sever the root of the offending dandelion. I can’t help but feel half guilty removing these vivid yellow flowers from my brown…
Successful Ojai Nature Writing and Crafting Workshop!
Today, I held a nature writing workshop in Ojai in collaboration with Footprints in the Soil (FITS), an environmental nonprofit. My daughter Rachael led a crafting workshop on the back patio of Move Sanctuary, where the event was held. My other daughter, Liz, helped with the event’s planning, participated in the writing workshop, and snapped…
Day 4 Poem: Where Trees Are Square
Where Trees Are SquareEver marvel at how life can surprise you?If not, travel to Panama and visit just north of the Canal ZoneYou’ll find there a whole valley of square cottonwood treesWith rectangular trunks and square tree “rings”Imagine stumbling upon this valley of square treesWalking among the tall rectangular trunksWondering how this could have happened…
An Excellent Meal: Ojai Tortilla House
Our Welsh friends, Jan and Rich, came up to Ojai for a visit. Here they are in front of our Buddha, who is a fairly large fellow. Jan and Rich visiting Buddha in our orange grove Besides meeting and playing with 14-month-old grandson Ethan, visiting with Liz and Ron, and touring the orange grove, Rich…
My Love Affair with the Wind
I am sitting in my little writing room listening to Gregorian chants. The heater is on and it’s warm and cozy. Outside, I can hear the wind starting to blow. Southern California has had very strong winds over the past few nights. They are revving back up tonight. I love a good strong wind. Not…
20 Minutes a Day 