A walk in the woods with the folks from the Arc of Appalachia is never just a walk in the woods, and this year’s experience at the annual donor gathering was no exception. Nancy Stranahan, director and founder of this grass-roots organization that protects over 5,000 acres (and counting) in the southern part of Ohio, began the gathering’s program, held at Fort Hill, with a … Continue reading Beauty, Balance, Biodiversity – The 3 B’s of Values

While fully immersed in a jog-induced sweat on this sticky August evening, I began thinking about the concept of gardening, canning, and supplying oneself with food from a sustainable source. Memories of a conversation this weekend with David and his 15-year old son, John, a Craigslist find, who helped me split over a cord of wood on Sunday, may have spurred me to focus on … Continue reading Generation Pendulums: Transitions Captured

For the past year or so, I’ve been making an effort to reduce the multiple ways in which I alter my environment in order for it to fit my needs. No, not my needs, my wants. That’s the whole point, actually – contemplating needs versus wants when it comes to altering my environment. Last winter, I typically only used oil lamps for lighting after dark. … Continue reading The Length of Seasons and Reasons

This past June 4th, I took an official step into a 10-year plan. Ten years may seem like a long time to some of you, but since I’ve turned 40, I realized that 10 years is much like a catkin wisp of cottonwood seed, floating past in a billowing wind. Along its journey, it lingers for awhile here and there, it has its ups and … Continue reading Reflections on Wildbranch, 30 days later

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