Contemplating the Difference between Rest and Stillness
As I noted two weeks ago, I’m pondering the theme of rest in this winter season. It’s ironic because winter here in the Sonoran Desert isn’t about stillness. It actually means an increase in activity on a number of levels. Tucson’s population swells in winter because...
Pondering What Winter Gives, Even in the Desert
Two weeks ago, a friend and writer colleague, Kelsea Habecker, began a winter writing/posting project on Instagram with the hashtag #whatwintergives. Living in the Sonoran Desert, I find that winter gives some rain and relatively cooler temperatures (sometimes even...
Celebrating Local Desert Artwork
Recently, Henry and I spent a Sunday afternoon in the small town of Tubac, Arizona. Like a number of smaller western towns (such as Silver City, New Mexico, where we used to live), Tubac is surviving, even thriving, by encouraging the development of a tourist-based...
To Rescue Cacti and Fleeing Migrants
Henry and I are members of the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society. We joined this educational organization when we moved to Arizona, wanting to learn more about the various cacti in our new neighborhood. In addition to monthly educational meetings for adults (which...
Balance and the Autumn Equinox
Early this morning was the autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere. At that point, Mother Earth was balanced and aligned. Already, her head is tilting, the northern hemisphere angling toward winter…but, for a moment, there was balance. Our lives can be like that....
Receive a complimentary download of Shirin’s latest e-book, Lakeside Lessons when you sign up for her enews!