In Siberian myth, when you want to hurt someone, you crawl into their tent and close the smoke hole. That way God can’t see them. Close the smoke hole and you break connection to the divine world. Mountains, rivers, trees. Close the smoke hole and we become mad. Close the smoke hole and we are … Continue reading Keeping the Smoke Hole open: seek vigil not isolation by Dr Martin Shaw

This beautiful image comes to us courtesy of David Ward, who stumbled upon this spot in his traditional territory on Saturday while self-isolating in the woods, collecting some firewood and looking for inspiration. He also stumbled on tons of out-of-towners camping along the lake, to whom I would say: Namaste. Namaste - I see the … Continue reading Namaste, and please stay away

“Teach the children. We don’t matter so much, but the children do. Show them daisies and the pale hepatica. Teach them the taste of sassafras and wintergreen. The lives of the blue sailors, mallow, sunbursts, the moccasin flowers. And the frisky ones–inkberry, lamb’s quarters, blueberries. And the aromatic ones–rosemary, oregano. Give them peppermint to put … Continue reading When in doubt, read a poem

Here's the phenomenal nugget of information that dropped into my lap this week: emotions last about 90 seconds. After 90 seconds, the feeling has been metabolized... What lingers is the story you choose to associate with that feeling. So, my frustration on Tuesday morning, at my 7 year old's molasses-slow non-attempt at getting ready, and … Continue reading Emotions last 90 seconds, so why am I still freaking out?

"How are you?" messaged a friend. I am not sure how to answer this question, these days. In the grand scheme of things, I am unbelievably blessed and I am very aware of that, I am hyper conscious of the little ways in which my life could be much scarier right now, or my situation … Continue reading How are you doing, really?

From Chris (who is a Manager at the Pemberton Valley Supermarket): “I would like to make a few suggestions that might help convince people to change the way they shop over the next while. First of all, we have enough food. I am reassured that the food supply chain can sustain all normal shopping behaviours. … Continue reading Some shopping tips from the Pemberton Valley Grocery Store

File under: Nature breathes sigh of relief and animals enjoy a break from constant human activity, as people are forced to lower their impact and be, to their great angst, resistance and discomfort, a little bit more thoughtful. Connie Sobchak counted 629 trumpeter swans on March 20... she's an expert birder so I trust her … Continue reading Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans Congregate in Pemberton: a sign of spring

A friend's request for "a bird picture with nice scenery in the background" sent John Tschopp looking through his records. When he couldn't find one, he went out on a mission. Here is the result. Migrating Trumpeter Swans ("trumps") with Mt Meager in the background.

Anna Lengstrand is a local artisan and previous instagrammer for the Wellness Almanac. She recently shared a few of her tips on working from home, for those who suddenly find themselves pacing the carpet and wondering how to cope. A lot of people are being forced to stay at home right now. And many have … Continue reading How to work from home without going stircrazy