By Michael Shook “… the hounds of Spring are on Winter’s traces …” They are indeed, lashed to a dead run by this year’s strong El Niño weather system. Buds are plump to bursting, daffodils, hyacinth, and crocus have been out and blooming for weeks, and the scents are shifting. In the late winter breezes,…
By Seán Malone and John Sweetman We were poking around the old Ford F-250 four-wheel drive three-quarter-ton pickup that Seán acquired from me about 30 years ago. It seemed to have a problem with steering. This truck still is a formidable beast, with an 8,000-pound winch and oversized custom bumpers and guards, but it was…
By Jane Valencia This article concludes our interview with Mik Kuhlman regarding her remarkable one-woman show, “The Standing Nation – Remembering Our Kinship with Trees.” In these performances, the audience journeys to a special tree in nature. The tree serves as setting and co-star, bringing surprise and wonder into the experience. In addition to working…
By Andy Valencia We keep bottled water in case our faucet’s suddenly dry. We have emergency rations in case the store’s supply chain is interrupted. And then there’s how we keep in touch, find out things, and buy things. Everything – phones, texting, email, apps – has converged on internet technology. When that “cyber event”…
By Kim Cantrell, Little Bird Gardens I just spent the last few weeks talking with you all at the nursery. We agreed we were in the clear weather-wise, and then some of us had snow! And as I write this today, we are expecting a bit of a freeze again. We’re gardeners; we talk about…
By March Twisdale Prior to moving to Vashon, my family helped develop a Cohousing Community in West Seattle. We lived there for four years. During that time, I fell in love with our Community Work Parties. Twice a year, all 23 families would set aside a weekend to work together to improve, beautify, and maintain…
By Dr. Leigh Siergiewicz Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are considered a weed by many, but if you have them, rather than toss them in the compost when you pull them up, use them as free food! Take them from clean yards or woods; they may accumulate a lot of exhaust and roadside gunk if you take…
By Emilia Flor Spring is the season of Air, so I am focusing on the sacred breath of Life. Using my breath to reach stillness.Disconnecting from the external world.Disconnecting from my mental chatter.Getting still. Being quiet. Going deep within. And listen, listening.In the deepest moments of stillness and presence, it’s all there.Peace, love, safety, and…
By Daniel Hooker I have been given permission to share two experiences of COVID vaccine injury. The stories are from an Islander and a former Islander who lived here many years. Story 1: “A few months after the vaccines came out, I took the vaccine (Moderna) knowing I would soon be required to anyway (since…
By Craig Bailey, “Fiddlehead Bistro,” Saranac Lake, NY Ingredients • 2 cloves garlic, halved • 1 star anise • ½ tsp anise seed • 1 tsp coriander seed • 1 tsp cumin seed • 4 peppercorns • 1 tsp mustard seed • 1 very small piece of cinnamon stick • 1 bay leaf • 2…