Retreat Time as Treat Time
I recently went up to the mountains of Colorado for some retreat time. The first morning I was there, I found myself thinking about the word retreat, which I’ve reflected on before. We retreat from work, or volunteer duties, or doing our part for tikkun olam...
Admiring a Woodpecker’s Pantry
I find such pleasure walking in the woods. Pine trees whisper in the wind. The sun’s heat releases the smell of sap. Birds call to one another, sharing news of the day and the location of fragrant flowers, or defending their territory with raucous panache. They also...
Begin Again, Just Like Nature
I came across this cactus on one of my recent morning walks. It doesn’t look like much—no pretty flowers, catchy spines, or stylish shapes. Instead, this prickly pear looks quite bedraggled and scrawny. But here’s the thing. It’s growing tons of new pads—the...
Pondering the Passage of Time
I’ve lived in the Tucson area for more than ten years now, but I’ve been visiting much longer. In fact, I used to visit as a child, when our family drove over from Albuquerque to celebrate Christmas or spend part of summer vacation with my paternal grandparents. Today...
Bats and Bobcats and Birds, Oh My!
I have settled into a new home, and I am very happy here. I have a lovely view from my office window. There are lots of birds singing in nearby trees. On my morning walks around my new neighborhood, I’ve encountered a pack of coyotes, several javelinas, and recently a...
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