March 10, 2026

Visitors to our forest; Mom goes on a zero self-improvement program; The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

From The Woods

One of the best things about tending a forest is seeing that forest through others’ eyes. My cousin Casey and family visited this week and we traipsed about. Azalea found a rock I’d never have noticed—she wanted to be the trailblazer and led the way when our path was blocked by downed trees (we’re logging the trees felled in the wind storm last year.)

And Ben has an artist’s eye—these are his photos below. Amazing

People Older Than Trees

Mom embarks on a “zero self-improvement” program. (My words cannot improve upon hers.)

What I’m reading/writing

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans was good company on my flight to Palm Springs where I’m joining Luci, my friend of 45 years, on a hiking trip in and around Joshua Tree National Park.

The main character, Sybil Van Antwerp, is fresh, complicated, and present on the page. It’s a great read.

I’m taking a “flash nonfiction” class through the Attic Institute, in Portland. I’ve written one 500 word essay so far and have hopes for more.

Stumptown

I was barely in Stumptown this week—next week I’ll share musings about Palm Springs, a town built around hot springs in the desert.