The House at Ottowi Bridge: The Story of Edith Warner and Los Alamosby Peggy Pond ChurchPublished 1959Reviewed by Elizabeth H. Cottrell, Heartspoken.com This book is a gem, especially for those whose interest in Los Alamos has been piqued by the movie “Oppenheimer,” as well as those who love New Mexico and are fascinated by the […]
Nature (Connect with the natural world)
View from the Bench: Late June at Riverwood
I began this series to teach myself to be more observant by exploring a small piece of the world right outside my door at different times of the year. You can do this yourself from anywhere—a country home or a city high rise. It’s a micro-exploration! Wednesday, June 28, 2023 – 7:30 am Eastern Daylight Time I took my coffee out […]
Earth Day 2023: Climate Change IS a Social Justice Issue
Have you seen these signs of Spring?
Updated from 2014 Springtime… The very word evokes vivid images, sounds, and smells, especially for those of us who live in a part of the world where Spring is a distinct season. Spring is also laced with symbols of rebirth and hope after the darkness of winter. Every bulb that pushes its way through clods […]
View From The Bench: Late Spring in the Shenandoah Valley
Heartspoken’s View from the Bench series I began this series of posts in late June, 2014, with a goal of teaching myself how to be more observant by exploring a small piece of the world right outside my door at different times of the year. This post was first published in early June 2019, but I […]
Meet My Nature Neighbor: The Catalpa Tree
I’d like you to meet one of my favorite trees, the Northern Catalpa Tree. Its rich history and botanical legacy are unique and fascinating. This article was originally posted in 2014 and has been updated. I’m getting to know my backyard neighbors! As hard as I try, I can’t figure out any way to become […]
Pine woods give up their winter secrets
Go to the winter woods: listen there, look, watch, and ‘the dead months’ will give you a subtler secret than any you have yet found in the forest.~ William Sharp (writing as Fiona Macleod), Where the Forest Murmurs The freezing temperature takes my breath away as I step outside for a winter walk up into […]
Fourth of July Reflections on America
Adapted and updated: In 2011, my husband and I made an incredible drive up the coast of California between Los Angeles and San Francisco, with a side trip to Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco and Muir Woods. We enjoyed breathtaking vistas of rugged coastline and walked a trail gazing up at immense […]