Published in Tea with Mother Nature·Jan 31Member-onlyCalifornia is in the midst of colliding weather events throughout the stateMy state, California, was suffering from a historic three-year drought when suddenly we went from scorched earth to flooded lands in three weeks. Reservoirs and lakes were so dry that skeletons, fossils, and remains of boats and towns reappeared until they were resubmerged. Now, just as we began to dry…Weather2 min readWeather2 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Dec 19, 2022Member-onlyFamily traditions can make any cookie taste extra specialSunday is the first night of Hanukkah. Jewish families light a menorah for eight days to remember a tiny amount of oil that continued to burn beyond expectations after the Maccabees defeated a powerful Greek army to retake the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. But that is not the story I…Life Lessons3 min readLife Lessons3 min read
Published in The Shortform·Nov 7, 2022Member-onlyFlower and Water Are Just the Right MixThe air is misty. The morning is young.Nature1 min readNature1 min read
Published in Tea with Mother Nature·Nov 7, 2022Member-onlyParsley gets high marks in versatilitySweet and clean describes parsley. Fresh and crunchy also works. Most important it’s a universal herb. Although parsley is frequently used as a garnish, it’s so much more. The herb can flavor any dish whether it’s cooked or served raw. It has multiple vitamins — A, B, C, and K…Nature2 min readNature2 min read
Published in Tea with Mother Nature·Oct 11, 2022Member-onlyThe rare fruit produced by Meyer Lemon trees is quite specialMeyer Lemons are exotic. A cross between a lemon and mandarin orange. The infusion of flavors is tantalizing. Some describe it as “liquid gold”. I had no idea the fruit existed until I moved west into a region known for its once agricultural abundance — the Santa Clara Valley —…Nature4 min readNature4 min read
Published in The Shortform·Sep 26, 2022Member-onlyIf Only Life Was As Flexible As My CatImagine if our world could be as lovable and limber as my tabby, Scooter. Wouldn’t that be mind-blowing? Ah well, one can wish for such…Pets1 min readPets1 min read
Published in Tea with Mother Nature·Sep 14, 2022Member-onlyThe smallest wonders can surprise usThe stick — if I can even call it that — rests on the sidewalk. From a distance, I think it’s a dead snake without a head until I come closer. This is definitely something else. An odd-shaped conifer cone from an evergreen tree. I’ve never seen a cone like…Nature2 min readNature2 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Sep 14, 2022Member-onlyThe warning signs came too late to save my brotherMy brother believed in the mystical. He believed in numerology and the tarot. He combined numbers when he bought a lottery ticket. He saw signs everywhere — birthdays, anniversaries, milestones — and twisted them every which way to beat the odds. Sometimes he succeeded, but in the end, he drained…Mental Health4 min readMental Health4 min read
Published in Tea with Mother Nature·Sep 6, 2022Member-onlyLife pauses when the cries of a raptor fill the skyI woke early this morning to walk along the creek trail. The temperature was heading into the triple digits, but at 7 a.m. it was still in the 60s. The waterway, which stretches for miles, has become unwieldy. Barely flowing due to a severe drought. Still, the ducks have found…Nature3 min readNature3 min read
Published in Tea with Mother Nature·Aug 7, 2022Member-onlyWhen Shells Turn Into Bells It’s MagicWhat happens when a wind chime you love for sentimental reasons losses the one part that anchors the weight, and silences those impromptu melodies? Well, you just have to get creative. In this instance, the solution turns out to be three clam shells along the shores of a Northern California…Nature1 min readNature1 min read
