We Must Be the Change

As I observe people around me, I’ve been noticing a trend –most everybody, in theory, wants to save the Earth.   The problem, however, is that far too few people are willing to make the lifestyle changes necessary to ensure a livable future.  The appeal of constant financial progress, of fast food and perfectly temperature-controlled rooms is too great.  The ease of processed foods, disposable diapers, and commuting by car to work is too alluring.  The abundance of cheap clothes, out-of-season foods, electronics, and toxic beauty products is too pervasive to pass by.  We have become perpetual children – looking to others to easily assuage our hunger, temperature, and state of mood.  We expect governmental regulations or some technological breakthrough to fix global warming and the ecosystem issues we fear.  We are unwilling to take the risk that moving toward a new way of living requires.  Continue reading

Experimental Earthen Painting

I don’t know anything that draws as many people from different backgrounds, generations, and skill sets as permaculture.  People from all walks of life are waking up to realize that our current culture is destructive and unsustainable.  It’s wonderful to be in presence of people who are interested in and excited about creating the alternatives!

Yesterday, I had another opportunity to be in a group of peraculture-type people as we met to play around with Earth-based painting techniques.  We were working in a gorgeous old apartment building built in the early 1900s.  Through years of wear and tear, some of the units are in better shape than others, and we were practicing in one that is being completely redone.

So why were we playing around with Earth-based painting?  Continue reading

The First Days of this New Year

On New Year’s Eve we went cross-country skiing (on snow that clumped a little too easily…). Continue reading

A Light Footsteps Year

Although the 31st of December is somewhat of an arbitrary date in a calendar that was implemented in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, it is the calendar we have used throughout our lives, and therefore today serves as a useful day for reflection before the beginning of a new calendar year. Continue reading

A Solstice Snow

Today has been a day for celebration!  Continue reading

Midwinter is Near

The sunset reveals that the Winter Solstice (Midwinter, Yule) draws near. Continue reading

Let’s Go!

Come with me! Put your jacket on and let’s go outside!

It might be a little darker, but there’s still a lot to see! Continue reading

Late Autumn on the Carolina Coast

Autumn can look so different when you’re away from home.

There are some telltale similarities in the proliferation of berries, the turning of the asters, and the migration of animals, but the forests, marshes, and beaches of the Carolina coast certainly have their own unique way of turning toward winter.  Continue reading

With Nature at Honey Horn

Yesterday, I finished Thich Nhat Hanh’s Peace is Every Step, an excellent written meditation to help foster mindfulness and awareness.

Often, Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that we would benefit to become more aware of nature.  This is both to increase our level of mindfulness, and to reduce the suffering in others’ lives.  When we are disrespectful to the Earth, we are being disrespectful to all other living beings and to ourselves since we are all connected.  When we become more aware, more conscious, we are naturally inclined to be more respectful of the Earth. Continue reading

Relaxing on the Coast

I apologize for the lack of posts lately…

I tried to give my full attention to the Thanksgiving holiday — family, food, relaxation.

I also found time to discover this lovely little scene on my Thanksgiving Day walk. Continue reading