The Great Apostle of Charity

He is honored with a feast on the 27th day of September in the U.K., in France and in the U.S.. Born to peasant parents in the Kingdom of France, the family resided near the Paul river and it is believed that their surname was derived from there. Noteworthy however, young Vincent wrote his last name as Depaul to avoid any inference that he was of nobility.

Humility in the Garden

Humility in the Garden

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Ring it in, Rest, Replenish

The new year is upon us and we all know what that can mean — champagne, resolutions, bowl games, and for some the last days of a holiday season vacation.

Rest, Recover, Enjoy

Rest, Recover, Enjoy

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W.W.N.D.?

When was the last time that you looked to the sticky feet of a gecko for inspiration on a work problem? Or how about considering the irridescent qualities of a peacock feather in an attempt to solve a puzzle? I admit that sometimes cutting edge theory or science can be too far removed for me to tie my brain around and presented in any other context, the idea of biomimicry might have been one of those stretch concepts.

A dragonfly shedding it's exoskeleton

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Laughter

“I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.” The quote from Woody Allen describes the condition that triggers the release of endorphins, our natural feel-good chemicals that promote a sense of well-being and have also been shown to relieve pain. It also triggers the release of milk from one’s nostrils but never mind.

flickr.cc.2.0/photos/chrishuggins

Lessons from Mountain Biking

Okay, I was sold a bill of goods. I was told that there was a wide rolly trail from Sunriver, OR to Bend. I saw it as a great opportunity to rent a bike, spend time in a gorgeous outdoor setting with my husband and exercise my wide rolly body.

Oregon Trail Rash

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Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Lessons from my Dad

It’s Father’s Day and as usual, I’m terrible about these events. I was traveling this week and although there’s a card in my office, I didn’t time it right – which is why it’s still sitting in my office. Clearly put, gifting is not my love language. In fact, when I took the Chapman survey, it’s my lowest value. But put differently, when I think about lessons as gifts, I suddenly become much more appreciative and find that I’m very willing to pass them along.

My Dad and My Grandma and the Bluebonnets of Texas

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Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum

During the school year, my second grader studied Japan. He learned to eat with chop sticks, tie an obi on a kimono, write his name in Kanji and was basically electrified by the topic. The culmination was a visit to a Taiko Drumming exhibit where he not only got to listen but he also got to play one. His enthusiasm was contagious and probably raised my awareness to notice that our Wellness Community offered an evening drumming circle.

Frank Thompson of AZ Rhythm Connection

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Agrigirl Meets Agri-ecologist

It’s a good thing that seats are preassigned on United Airlines. If they weren’t, I might’ve arm-wrestled to keep the seat next to me open on the red-eye flight from Lima, Péru to Houston, TX. I had visions of stretching out across that empty seat in order to rest and relax and contemplate the magnificent journey that I’d just taken.

Machu Picchu in the Early Morning

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Salt of the Earth

Salt is the new black. But then black salt might refer to sea salt that is mixed with activated charcoal or to Kala Namak, the deep purple salt from India with an odor telling of its sulfur content. Whether it’s pink salt from the Himalayas or matcha green tea salt, recently I’ve seen a number of recipes that call for a specific salt pedigree.

Peruvian Salt in the Sacred Valley Ogwen.flickr.cc.2.0

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Yes, No or Not Right Now

The interaction was nearly silent. My son was hunched over the carrying case to his laptop. I could see his hand plunging deeply in each pocket. With mother’s intuition I knew instantly that he was searching for the mouse. He grimaced and the pace picked up. He was frantically moving his fingers from corner to corner of his bag. Silently and without notice I thought, “please let him find his mouse.”

If You Teach a Boy to Fish

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