There’s a spruce-covered ridge by our farm, and for much of winter, the sun doesn’t clamber high enough to crest it. Then come February, and one morning, suddenly, there it is. As a family it always surprises us, and delights us to witness its return, the warm herald of early spring. Where does the sun […]
Gratitude
Beauty as gratitude
Beauty is made before it’s perceived. It’s decorating the dinner table with a crown of fall leaves. Singing by a fire. Hand painting a dead tree. Speaking a kind word to a stranger, Carving little jewels from elderflower branches. Gathering moss in the shape of a mandala. Dancing to the beat of a brooding storm. […]
What if your child doesn’t say thank you?
A friend came to stay with us and brought gifts for our children–two really cool, powerful flashlights. The boys loved them, but they didn’t say thank you. They rarely do, and that’s ok for us, but sometimes it rankles people. This is all our fault; we’ve never told them to say thank you when receiving […]