Rocks, Gravel, Sand and Water

Years ago, I received a forwarded email about a time-management story – did you get that one, too? Speaking to business students, the time-management expert used an illustration. He put fist-sized rocks in a large-mouth mason jar, and then, asking if it was full...

Where food comes from

Another weekend outing to Davis Creek Farm found us picking up a half hog, patting the mixed-breed hounds and chatting with young farmer Adam again. “Most people don’t understand where food comes from,” Adam said. “One time I was selling chickens at the Farmers’...

Store or Grow

In the spring of 2010, Keith and I walked the mountain land with our contractor, marking the driveway and house site with an eye towards preserving the venerable oaks of the forest. Our minds envisioned a beautiful completed scene and pondered future projects: a bit...

People, Places and Things

Scene 1: Several weeks ago Person: Sherry, Medical Technician Place: Northridge Medical Park Thing: CheckupS: “Hi, Carole. My name is Sherry, and I’ll be doing your mammogram today.” C: “Oh, thank you so much, Sherry. This is my first time at this facility, but I know...

Be Prepared

Scouts’ motto: Be Prepared. This weekend, snow crept slowly over the mountain ridges filling the valley below, cocooning us in a soft, white lullaby. At risk of being lulled by nature’s beauty, I thought about Lady Wisdom and asked myself, “Am I prepared?” Yes, surely...

Principles and Procedures

In a recent issue of The New Yorker, Adam Gopnik published an article about the large prison population in the United States as evidence of the American justice system’s failure. “How did we get here?” Gopnik asked. Referring to The Collapse of American Criminal...