A winter walk in the woods

Who ever said that the winter was dreary? Oh yeah. I did. Where I live the winter really does linger on into the time that rightly belongs to the spring. The gray days seem to stretch on without end. Today I went for a walk in the woods, and while it was sunny before I …

Day at the greenhouse: tropical escape

This morning my daughter, husband and I went to the local botanical gardens where there is a very large greenhouse. We love to go there in the winter because the lushness, flowers, and warm earthy scent are so rejuvenating and can't be found outdoors. Being there really does feel like stepping into a tropical paradise, …

The wonder that is Christmas

Christmas has always felt special to me. As a child I lived in a very snowy area of the US and enjoyed the winter every bit as much as the other seasons. Each day after school I would excitedly bundle up in my many layers of pants, snow pants, sweaters, coat, mittens, scarf, hat, and …

Fall leaves, fallen and beautiful

Fall leaves. I just love them. I love them on the trees, brilliant and gorgeous warm hues. I love them fallen, soft carpets of color, shining jumbles of nature's gold. I love them fragrant, the smell of earthy decay. Fall leaves. I just love them. I love them crunchy, crumbling on the ground. I love …

Somewhere under the rainbow

While driving home today I saw a big, soft rainbow spreading across the sky right in front of me. It seemed as if the colors brightened as I drove, because the realization that it was there came on slowly. It made me start thinking: isn't it better to be somewhere under the rainbow, after all? …

Slovenija: reflections

It's October. This is the month when I moved to Slovenija all of... 14 years ago. It's staggering to me that it's been so long since I moved there and so long since I've moved away. It feels like a lifetime ago, and also like a moment ago, all at the same time. There are …

Healing nature

My daughter enjoys visiting the animals at the petting farm, and lucky for me, I enjoy it also. The other day we went and paid our usual visit to the pigs, chickens, and bunnies and fed the goats and sheep those much appreciated carrots. There were some horses out, too. The most docile and sweet, …

Goodbye summer, hello autumn

My daughter and I took advantage of this beautiful fall day to take a leisurely walk to the nearby farm. The air was cool, the sun was warm, and the sky shone a beautiful cerulean blue. What a peaceful way to spend a late afternoon, observing the animals, feeling the soft breezes, and enjoying the …