Waking up with the Trees This week the maple trees are waking up. Sun warmth of longer days thaws sap in winter weary trunks. The starches that have been stored in the roots during the winter pulse their way [...]

Are We Doomed? Don’t think too hard.  What’s your first reaction to a book entitled,“Not the End of the World:  How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet.”?   My first reaction was curiosity and skepticism. What’s yours? [...]

Stars and the Long Game This year, the run up to Christmas at the church where I,Marilyn, am a minister, is all about stars: stars of hope, like the north star that guides sailors and freedom seekers; stars of peace, [...]

The Winds Blow Strangely The winds blow strangely. How often do the environmental conditions reflect our social, political and cultural life?  Probably more frequently than we notice. November 8th when I write this the winds blow cold outside of Rise [...]

There are only two ways to stack wood There are only two ways to stack wood. Now if you are familiar with the concept, because you have been stacking wood for years, or you know the book, Norwegian Wood: Chopping, [...]

Cabin in the Woods The first time I ever stayed in a cabin in the woods for a night without adult accompaniment, I was 10 or 11.  The cabin that I’m remembering was built by my older siblings and cousins [...]