A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds, edited by Susan Rich, is a one-of-a-kind Washington State bird guide. The anthology includes original pen and ink sumi-e paintings by artist Hiroko Seki, bird fact notes, and short poems/stories/memoir. Poems/prose are bird-focused rather than human centered. The bird notes…
By Anthony Latora Spagyrics aspire to redefine what herbal medicine can be. Rooted in the Renaissance era, yet increasingly affirmed by modern analysis, they offer a way of preparing plants that seeks not merely to extract their chemistry, but to preserve their wholeness. Rather than viewing a plant as a collection of isolated compounds, the…
By Jane Valencia Nadja Vol Ochs. Photo by Dawn Stief In Part 1, printed in our March issue, we heard the story of how Nadja Vol Ochs came into nature connection work and onto the Island. In Part 2, we learn about her role as new executive director for the Vashon Wilderness Program (VWP). Stacey…
We asked Nadja to explain what a nature connection core routine is, and to tell us a little about the two routines referred to in the article, Meet Nadja Vol Ochs, Vashon Wilderness Program’s New Executive Director, Part 2 By Nadja Vol Ochs Core routines or routines of connection are simple, repeatable practices that help…
By Anthony Latora As the days stretch into longer light and the warmth in the air begins to carry the fragrance of new blooms, nettle rises from the somber earth. For many, this plant is known through accident, or by the warnings of caregivers who remember its sharp, lingering sting. Yet what if that very…
By Anthony Latora As I prepared to move to New Mexico in June of 2016, I searched for an herbal book about the local plants I might encounter. After a bit of digging, I settled on “Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West” by Michael Moore. Little did I know that moving to New Mexico and…
By Jane Valencia Laurel’s First Nettle Cake, with Lilac on top – Photo courtesy of Laurel On a glorious day one May, Laurel made a nettle cake, and wished to share it with friends. I love nettles, and the thought of a cake made with this vibrant green and generous herb delighted me so much,…
By Rocky (Donna) Liberty At 3:30 p.m., I realized the time and charged to the beach to capture the last bit of day. Walking south towards the light, I scoured the beach for aggies, shells, and the odd bit of interesting glass. Curiosity and the thrill of discovery have always spurred me to walk miles…
By Richard Odell We know them mostly by their strange profile, if we know them at all, rising singly, here and there, above the dense skylines of Douglas Firs, their rounded, shaggy heads in contrast to the pointed spires of their surrounding neighbors. They are the rare and “true” firs, Abies grandis, of Vashon-Maury. A…
By Anthony Latora Sometimes my days are shifted due to unexpected visitors. The strange part is – you only know they were there because of what’s left behind: a small impression, remnants of a meal, stems left shortened by someone browsing. So many clues – some subtle, some obvious. One track in the sand and…