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Thanks for the Sunshine

I imagine the trees outside talking about the weather. What would they say today? Looking out the window at all of the snow on the ground I imagine a grumpy tree muttering, “Enough already!” But when I think again about what I know of trees I’m pretty sure they’re saying Thanks for the sunshine today. Birds have been busy at the feeders outside my office window and squirrels have been scampering up and down trees in our backyard. The clear blue cloudless sky looks inviting. Time for a walk in the woods, I think. Will the trails be packed down Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Joie de Vivre

What is Joie de Vivre? A literal translation from French would be “joy of life” or “joy of living.” I think that there is a truth hidden in this simple phrase. Life without joy would not be worth living. This morning with even more new snow on the ground here in Minneapolis, and snow still falling, wind blowing, and temperatures very cold outside, I could be tempted to moan and wail about this never-ending winter. Instead, as I think of war torn Ukraine, earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria, climate change, and of other tragedies around the world I feel Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Snowstorm Distractions

The first of the two big episodes of snow that are predicted this week has arrived and gone. It left about seven inches of fluffy new snow behind. We are in the lull between storms right now. No snow is falling but I expect it to begin again soon. So I’m sharing some Snowstorm Distractions today — podcasts, poems, and other inspiration that have moved me recently. My first distraction (for both mind and soul) is the latest OnBeing episode, with Krista Tippet interviewing poet Ada Limón. What a refreshing conversation! I didn’t want it to end. I found Ada’s Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Before the Storm

We are expecting another big snowstorm (actually two in close succession) here in Minnesota during the coming week. Before the Storm everything looked calm. Each day a bit of snow melted, the ice on the edges of neighborhood streets receded a bit more and I dreamed of spring. This morning when I woke up I could not see any snow falling, but within 15 minutes snow was coming down in big flakes like a winter fairy tale. The evergreen tree outside our bedroom window was covered with a thin layer of snow. Fortunately today is only a prelude to the Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Seed Starting

Though it may be a bit early in the season, today I decided to start my herb seeds in hopes of having healthy plants ready to put out when warm weather finally arrives. Seed Starting is not as easy as one might think. Last year I learned a lot when I started herb seeds indoors for the first time. I discovered that some seeds (oregano especially) need heat to start. When I simply planted them and placed the pots under the grow lights most of my seeds didn’t start. So instead of buying a special seed starting mat, I pulled Read more…

By Marilyn, ago