Contemplating Another Fire Season in the Desert Southwest
It’s fire season here in Arizona. There are multiple fires burning across the state, exacerbated by drought conditions that blanket the entire state and, in fact, the entire American Southwest. Yes, deserts are dry places, but most deserts get at least some rain, and...
The Flowers Are Not the Point
Cacti are blooming all over the Sonoran Desert right now. From ground-hugging hedgehogs to skyscraping saguaros, brilliant flowers are unveiling themselves in sartorial splendor. Many blooms last only a day, making it an exciting challenge for me to see how many I can...
Becoming a Divine Evocation of Grace
Spring is appearing in various guises all over the northern hemisphere. Here in southern Arizona, various cacti are blooming spectacularly. It’s difficult for me to choose which route to walk each morning, because I want to check in on various plants that are showing...
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...
Receive a complimentary download of Shirin’s latest e-book, Lakeside Lessons when you sign up for her enews!