by Sharon Blackie Winter Solstice is the name we give to the shortest day and longest night of the year, when the sun’s elevation in the sky is at its lowest. The word ‘solstice’ literally means ‘sun stands still’, for at this time the sun appears to halt in its incremental journey across the sky … Continue reading Winter solstice approaches. It’s quite natural if you’re not feeling exuberant and outgoing.

Continuing with yesterday's theme of celebrating DIY gifts that come in jars, here's another option from Australian artist, illustrator and activist, @EcowithEm.

9 Last-Minute Gifts in Jars Your Recipients Will Love Even a lump of coal packed in a jar would look good—not that you'd give something so environmentally unfriendly some great ideas from The Zero Waste Chef by Anne Marie Bonneau For the following nine gifts in jars, you could buy fancy Le Parfait or Weck … Continue reading Zero Waste tips for gift-giving: stick it in a jar

You've probably seen the sign and heard the pitch: shop local. It supports people in your community, and let's face it, Jeff Bezos really doesn't need any more. Here's my story about shopping local and why I'm stoked to have spent my money here... Kiddo and I went to the Christmas Craft Fair (hosted by … Continue reading Why shopping local is always better

I was making the fire the other day, and stumbled upon a death announcement of a long-time resident in the summer issue of the Pique, and I stopped in my tracks with a slow sigh. I had not known, or heard. There are, I imagine, many fine and beloved humans, who have moved on from … Continue reading Do you need a grief ritual to wind down the year?

Jasmine Jade of Prime Vision (sustainable production design and social justice films) has rallied in response to a local desire for a community market/trade/trunk sale before Christmas, with the help of some local eco-lovers, and the SLRD's Zero Waste team, to bring back a COVID-19 friendly version of her Clothes Swap. Taking place at the … Continue reading Treasure Trade and Community Fundraiser, December 19th

I think it’s fair to say that I live a life of sufficient privilege that my kid doesn’t want for anything. Sure, he’d like to have his own tablet loaded with games. And he might prefer new clothes and shoes over hand me downs. And he might choose different foods… but on the needs vs … Continue reading Christmas brings out my “not enough ness”

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hg1xFYpXuWA In 2007, a new edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary was published. 40 words had been dropped, to make space for more "relevant" language - attachment, blog, broadband, bullet-point, cut-and-paste, and voice-mail. The "lost words" that were no longer being used enough by children to merit their place in the dictionary, included:  acorn, adder, bluebell, dandelion, fern, heron, kingfisher, newt, otter, and willow. Many grieved this, as a sign … Continue reading For days when you need to hear or hum a blessing

I planted my flag here. How could I not have? I claimed a home, when what I longed for was to be claimed, to be claimed by a place, to have Place say to me, come home, little one, rest here. I love this poem of Margaret Atwood's, because, hell yes, after all these years … Continue reading A poem by Margaret Atwood flips ownership and accomplishment upside-down