As early as 3:30 in the afternoon on this 5th day of January the small herd of deer that commune along the Foundation Trail in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, are bedded down with nary a care for humans who delight in walking its hilly, winding paths. The crunch of snow offers a good grip for walking and the sound of the water winding its way along the wooded paths offers a calm stroke to the soul. It’s a quiet day for traffic, allowing one to be transported to another world. T

Rustic Vista. Wisconsin. Cold Pastels. As cold drafts of air push against windows and doors trembling the structure of the house, a fire blazes. The wind whips the treetops in a frenzied dance against a pale skyline. Rain and snow battle for supremacy. The pelting shards of ice turn to snow, a miraculous change to witness, and the already heavy forest bears it. Some elements of the woodland will break, and some will flex and rebound after the melt. Within is warmth. Gratitude

The first full moon after the Winter Solstice holds deep meaning with its rich traditions rooted in the ancient Germanic tribes and their Norse cousins, born in the faraway lands of Northern Europe. The celebration of Yule honors the return of light and the strength of the ancestors. Diluted perhaps, blood still calls to blood even in the faraway lands of the West. Some of us heed it and though we share the brilliance of the Wolf Moon with the indigenous folk, we are sacred s

The vibrant hues of autumn now fade, and the chill of winter begins to settle in like seedlings in soil. This turning of the wheel brings to mind the practice of contemplation and a deep connection to the land and our ancestors. This transitional period reminds me of a Norwegian saying, "mellom sesongene," which means: Between the seasons. Mellom sesongene was a time of preparation, reflection, and spiritual practices that honored the ancestors and the changing environment. T

Gratitude begins with attitude. There is little in this life that is perfect. You can't wait around for the perfect moment, the perfect time, the perfect circumstances, the perfect income, the perfect weight and so forth. You have to start somewhere. Anywhere will do. You have to replenish yourself. You have to care for yourself. You have to block out all the unwanted noise, savor the breath between while embracing and channeling the power gained from it. Small breaths. Small

Halloween is more than just a time for costumes and candy; it connects us to historical traditions that stretch back centuries. This beloved holiday has roots firmly planted in ancient pagan customs, especially those from Celtic and Irish cultures. A closer look at these origins not only enriches our Halloween experience but also reminds us of the cultural tapestry that has shaped our modern festivities. The Origins of Halloween Halloween traces its origins to the ancient Cel

As autumn embraces the Northeast part of the Mighty Mississippi with its strong gusts of wind and golden hues, it’s the perfect time to reflect on age-old traditions that connect us to the past. Firstly, we acknowledge the indigenous folk of North America who have been through things words cannot express but are still fortunate. Many of us displaced Scandinavian transplants seek our lost rituals and culture long forgotten. Many of our ancestors both did us a disservice and bl

The Dance of Seasons Summer is holding strong after our “First Fake Fall,” as many know it here in West Central Wisconsin. Even still, the northland is ready to transform into an extraordinary display of vibrant color in spite of it. Let us honor it with a chilled cold brew and a small kick of pumpkin spice, shall we? Soon enough, we can have our hot coffee to warm us against the icy air in the morn instead of a cold drink. Autumn begins. Lingering summer heat holds no sway a

I went kayaking with a friend yesterday, and the experience still lingers in my mind. Life often seems to hit those who least deserve it with stress, turmoil, and upheaval. It makes me ponder what is random, what is the will of some higher power, and what roles we play in this grand saga. In the end, all I can do is reflect on people, life, and my own perspective. Montana mountain stream. The Unpredictability of Water Underwater obstructions can catch you off guard. Currents

As the last week of our first false fall arrives here in West Central Wisconsin, just north and east of the Mississippi River, the landscape begins to transform. The verdant green of summer's dense foliage, where secrets are kept behind the woodland curtain, is giving way to a stunning display of blazing orange, bright red, and brilliant gold. Each slender leaf tells a tale of change, reminding us that life is a cycle woven through the seasons. The trees drop their shrouds, r

Mt. Simon. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This morning, I set out on a beautiful day with one of my dear friends. We've shared many a wild adventure over the last nearly forty years. We often hike and I knew I'd need some real footwear. I usually wear some sandals, but it has been so uncharacteristically long since I've worn proper shoes that I grabbed my common tennis shoes instead of my hiking boots. There was a previous day's rain to consider so things were slippery. Things were p

Red Arrow Beach. Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. Lake Michigan, some would argue the crown jewel - but for certain, she's a rustic beauty of the upper Midwest with warm summer waters and foamy whitecaps unfurling to encroach upon sand, creating a smooth welcome with bits of freshwater gifts graciously dotting the shoreline for explorer and seagull alike. Tracks marking hundreds of feet, bare and softly imprinted upon wet grains of sand simply wash away within seconds as the cycle o

The water was a still reflection of glistening trees as I began to gently paddle with sweet, soothing movements that were as natural as an effortless breath. Slowly floating over its surface revealed an elusive population of lake dwellers beneath, close to shore in their secret places beneath gnarled wood and murky, russet water where only the sun's touch in just the right place would reveal a sliver through the curtain to their mysterious world. Calm, peaceful ripples were l

With the many conveniences of our world, one should have an abundance of time. Time. Take a pause and think about that a little deeper than surface level. And yet, people seem to wear their chaos, busy schedules and productivity like a badge of honor. Why? One answer might be ego. Another might be conditioning. Yet another might be competition and the list could go on and on. With a plethora of already deadly health issues tied to stress, obesity, anxiety and depression, why

The Black Creek at Coon Fork Lake County Park in Eau Claire County in Wisconsin, located between Fairchild and Augusta. It seemed fitting to begin by tossing an anchor into the water to set the tone for what this journey in life is all about at its very core: Sovereignty. Self-sovereignty is summed up best as free will in relation to the undeniable realization that you are an independent, autonomous being. Within and without. You control your emotions, your reactions and how