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Northbound 2.

January 29, 2010March 17, 2018

(Photos courtesy of my sister Leah. See more of her work here.)

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A dear friend and an inspiring acquaintance both d

A dear friend and an inspiring acquaintance both died unexpectedly last month, both just a decade older than me.

The way these two men moved through life could not have been more different. And yet both left gaping holes in the lives they deeply touched and places they had once stood.

These losses have me thinking hard about the fragile threads that hold us here; about our humanity and the paths we choose to follow; about the demons that haunt some of us; and what truly matters in the end.

Here's what I've got--

Be kind.
Don't underestimate yourself.
Live from the heart.
Remember that life can be both heartbreakingly tragic and heartbreakingly beautiful in the same breath.

Be good to one other.
Plant trees.
Forgive yourself.
Forgive others.
Let your tender heart stay open to the world.
Fight for the Earth.
Fight for each other.
Stay generous, even when the world is unfair.
Battle your demons with everything you've got.
Remember to play.
Let the state of the world not crush your hope, but radicalize you into positive action.
Watch eagles, marvel at oak trees, chase dragonflies, and let the magic of them all fill you up until you feel you might burst.
Tend to your wounds.
Remember wonder and joy.
Love, love, love - yourself, each other, the world.

In loving memory of RP and ASL. I'm grateful our paths crossed.

Living in the duality of being simultaneously over

Living in the duality of being simultaneously overwhelmed by grief at the horrors of war/paralyzed by climate change/overcome by inequity/generally discouraged by humanity as a whole to leaning in and trying to build a beautiful, gentle, creative, love-filled life over here for myself and my family.

All while doing what I can to generate far-reaching positive change through citizen action. Is it enough? I don't know. Is it ever really enough? Between making calls and sending emails for a ceasefire (and trying to argue sense into random strangers on the internet on issues I should walk away from [*zero stars/do not recommend]), I'm over here puttering away on projects and making things with my own two hands. It's keeping me centered and for that I am grateful.

So show and tell (in no particular order)? The couch of my literal dreams that I shrieked when I found on Marketplace; a glitzy mirror Pete found on the side of the road that I painted (for much-needed extra bling) and hung on the walls that I drywalled myself (thank you very much); the kitchen addition we're building 🔨 ALL 🔨 BY 🔨 OURSELVES 🔨; and the vintage butter yellow stove I just bought that will go in that shiny new kitchen (along with the antique headboard I bought, chasing a wild hair I have to build a range hood cover out of it). Standby for the range hood/headboard report coming this winter.

Whew. So. That's how I'm doing, what about you?

Also, yes gas range. Yes. My current electric is on-grid and coal (at my last check), so propane it is for now. Someday, fancy pants new induction. But for now, fancy pants 1950 edition.

This year’s birthday/jacket photos mark Lupine’s 17th year joyfully taking these whimsical photos with me, one autumn after another.

And it's our second-to-last time.

Yes, here we are, approaching the end of this journey. And even though I knew it was coming, it’s still taking me by surprise.

Because for all my presence and talk of how fleeting motherhood truly is, we’re nearing the end of the line. And what a ride it has been, raising these kids. My favorite job ever–by far.

It’s bittersweet this mothering business, and I’m holding on tight to my heart.

Because, quite unexpectedly somehow, this one turns 17 today. (“Seventeen!” said in the voice of the Humbug from the Phantom Tollbooth). And what a joy and an honor it is to be her mom!

Lupine is my foraging buddy, my kitchen companion, my sewing-making-baking-photography coconspirator. I adore spending time with her, with her big heart and her kindness and her gift for seeing beauty absolutely everywhere.

She inspires me daily, and it’s nothing short of a gift to get to walk this path by her side.

The very next morning after we took these photos, the last of the fall leaves were swept away in a wind, so we caught it just in time.

It’s a metaphor, I think:

Don't wait. Because autumn and childhood won't last.

Savor all you can.

Happy birthday, Lupine Bluebird. I’m so damn grateful you were born.

(Read the rest and see more pics over on the blog. Link in my bio.)

The first time I visited Ireland it felt like comi

The first time I visited Ireland it felt like coming home.

A friend had visited there first and texted to say, "I just keep imagining your family here. There is so much magic, and I keep wanting to share it with you!"

Within a few years we were there.

The first trip we took to Ireland was a 4 weeks road trip, driving the coastal route all the way around Ireland. A homeschooling adventure of a lifetime!

Most of what we saw was what I could find information about online or in guidebooks–castles, abbeys, monasteries, the Cliffs, the Burren. And it was magical to be sure. We were smitten.

Shortly after returning home, @asiasuler took her own pilgrimage there and shared the journey with her blog readers. Asia delved SO much deeper into the true heart of ancient Ireland than I ever dreamed possible on her journey, that I was gobsmacked by how much I missed, right there in plain sight!

And I couldn't shake off the idea of returning myself to dive deeper still.

I quit drinking that year (see my last post!) and saved all of my wine money for something celebratory. Two years later, I had enough saved for plane tickets for my family, and so we returned.

That journey–to ancient stone circles and prehistoric burial tombs, visiting sheela na gigs, foraging hedgerows, and reflecting at sacred pagan wells–lit a fire in my heart to share THIS part of Ireland with others. Not the busy tourist bus locations, not the bustling cities or popular attractions, but the magic hidden here–everywhere–in plain site.

Places that 99.9% of Ireland's visitors miss, but are the true heart and soul of this land.

Since those two trips, I've returned twice more, on retreat with @wildroutesireland. And next summer, Chris, Tara, and I will co-lead one more tour together with a small group of like-minded souls.

Together we’ll visit ancient woods, gather in sacred stone circles, listen to stories of Ireland's distant past, and weave willow into baskets to carry with us home. We'll gather in small art studios and make herbal remedies together, all while tending our own hearts, bodies, and souls.

Care to join us? There are just three spots left. Is one of them yours? Details in my bio. ✨

Growing up in Wisconsin, we normalized daily drink

Growing up in Wisconsin, we normalized daily drinking. It’s Just What We Do Here. But damn. I have a long and tragic family history of alcoholism that took more than one life too soon and I didn’t want to throw those dice.

Nor did I want to normalize daily drinking to my kids.

Nor did I want to keep pouring so much money (of which we perpetually have not-quite-enough) into a glass.

Or keep doing harm to my body.

And so I quit.

And here we are.

(Sharing my story over on the blog tonight. Link in my bio to read the what-where-why and why I'm sharing. xo)

This sweet little town did it again. Thanks for

This sweet little town did it again.

Thanks for being magical, Viroqua. And for reminding me once more of why we chose to call this home.

#viroquaharvestparade

When your teen asks you if you'll take them on an

When your teen asks you if you'll take them on an adventure to the North Woods, you say yes. Yes! Of course. And you go. You visit friends. You are surprised by a moose (not the dog). You forage all the things (rose hips, aronia, choke cherries, labrador...) then crawl around in the duff together, photographing mushrooms. It rains for days. The camper leaks. Said teen heroically goes up onto the roof to seal it in the downpour. There is much tea and even more laughter. And it's absolutely perfectly magical. The end.

Our summer 2024 Wild Ireland Retreat is nearly ful

Our summer 2024 Wild Ireland Retreat is nearly full! Just a few spots remain to join us on this once-of-a-lifetime adventure.

I don't have another tour planned after this one, so if you're dreaming of an off-the-tourist-trail trip to Ireland, this is your chance!

Parents/homeschooling friends, did you know this trip is open to mature pre-teens and teens? It's a phenomenal opportunity to connect deeply with your teen, while exploring history, geography, geology, art, biology, and so much more.

Our trip will explore the lesser-known parts of Counties Clare and West Cork, while avoiding the busy, popular tourist sites loaded with busses and packed with visitors. Instead, we'll enjoy rarely-seen views with the people working to preserve them.

We spend our days with local herbalists, foragers, storytellers, historians, and artists, discovering their passions alongside them.

It's an experience unlike any I've had before while traveling throughout the world, and honestly, it's my favorite way to dive deep into culture, history, and place.

If you're thinking about joining us, now is a great time to reach out with any questions you have about the tour or to reserve your spot! I can't wait to travel with you next summer.

Plant nerds, unite! Lupine and I just returned f

Plant nerds, unite!

Lupine and I just returned from one of our favorite weekends of the year: the Wild Harvest Festival, held not far from our home every autumn.

This event is brimming with my favorite plant people, sharing their wit and wisdom in brilliant hands-on classes for beginners and seasoned foragers alike.

To get to spend the weekend with the likes of Sam Thayer (Forager's Harvest), Linda Black Elk, and Alexis Nelson (BlackForager), and more makes for a top notch weekend in the woods. Not to mention dining on five-star meals created by Alan Bergo and team (Forager Chef).

What are you learning and loving this season? I'd love to hear about it!

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