by Carole Duff | Sep 22, 2014 | Faith, Nature, Writing and Reading |
Three years ago, the red oak trees here at Vanaprastha produced a bumper crop of acorns. When the wind blew, acorns peppered the deck and roof like hail stones. Keith and I thought this was a response to the disruption of building the house, as if the Oaks were...
by Carole Duff | Sep 7, 2014 | Local or Human Interest, Nature, Writing and Reading |
“Carole, have you seen the dogwood tree outside the dining room windows?” Keith asked one morning in late August. “You really should get a picture now before it changes.” “It’s drizzling, and the light’s not that good,” I replied. “If you wait until conditions are...
by Carole Duff | Sep 1, 2014 | Family, Nature |
Labor Day during my growing up years in Connecticut meant a neighborhood picnic. Dads carried grills to the lawn beside the swimming pool and served up hot dogs and hamburgers. Moms organized a potluck and corralled their children who raced around in excitement. With...
by Carole Duff | Aug 4, 2014 | Dogs & Other Creatures, Faith, Family, Local or Human Interest, Nature |
I’ve written about Vanaprastha, the third stage of Hindu life when one retreats to the forest in pursuit of solitude. It is also a time to reap the rewards of one’s labor and reconnect with family and friends. Part of a connected harvest involves correction. Proverbs...
by Carole Duff | Jul 7, 2014 | Faith, Family, Local or Human Interest, Nature |
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 It’s peach season here in Central Virginia. About a week ago, I...
by Carole Duff | Jun 30, 2014 | Local or Human Interest, Nature |
I read somewhere that good health includes five elements: Physical Intellectual Spiritual Family and friends Community, both local and global. Here at Vanaprastha, we spend most of our time with elements two through five. We check news feeds and email, read widely and...
