And here is the secret, if you have not already guessed it… The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time. The more we say thanks, the more we find to be thankful for. And the more we find to be thankful for, the happier we become. We don’t
Broad Horizons…
IN EVERY JOURNEY, we encounter broad horizons and winding narrows; calm waters and challenging rapids; blue skies and fierce storms. All are navigable, it seems, with care and skill and a traveler’s mindfulness.
Snowy Day in the Pines
This Sunday morning the Church In The Pines is covered with snow. Ladled with snow. Blanketed with snow. Enveloped in snow. Winter has been here for many weeks. It has been cold for a long time. But Kiwedin, the old winter-man, does not have his full impact–the beauty that comes with the cold–until the pine boughs, the trails, the old
The Meaning of Wilderness
Radio Interviewer: “So, Douglas Wood–Author of Old Turtle–Welcome. Let me ask you a question. Reading your book, you seem to be an environmentalist; what we might call an environmental extremist. Out West here, we have a lot of land that’s been locked up in “wilderness areas” by federal government land-grabs. Can you tell me why these areas can’t be open
Wind Poem
On a late afternoon walk on our frozen Mississippi, I came upon this lovely piece of artwork, untouched by human hands. Posted on Facebook, it got many interpretations. Some called it a God doodle. Some a snowy spider web; a snow dusted ball of twine; a frozen dream catcher; a dance of the windswept twigs. My favorite? Simply a “wind
First Days At Fawn Island 2017
White throated sparrows singing their pure, high flute notes. Loons calling. A chorus of frogs…. First night of the season on Fawn Island.
Countess Stories… article by St. Paul Pioneer Press
A beautifully crafted, in depth article in today’s St. Paul Pioneer Press, on my new books and on this interesting journey of a life. Written by long time book reviewer and Minnesota treasure, Mary Ann Grossman. It is very humbling to have so many nice things said. I am so grateful for the interest and the coverage. READ THE
Baby Owl Found
This afternoon, a small adventure here at the Pine Point Woods, the kind that often happens in the Spring. I found a baby Great Horned Owl on the ground, a refugee from a nest high above. Far too young to care for himself. Mama Owl was calling and flying from tree to tree nearby. After a call to my good
Old Cabin in the Pines
The old cabin at the Church In The Pines as we call it, has seen many winters, and has an interesting congregation. Red and gray squirrels leap from the rafters, pileated and red bellied woodpeckers laugh at inappropriate moments during the sermon; cardinals and bluejays, chickadees and nuthatches sing in the church choir. Crows sit in the back pews and
Christmas Wishes 2016
Christmas Wishes 2016 Approximately 2017 years ago an infant was born to an unwed, teen-aged mother, delivered into poverty in a troubled corner of the world. About 33 years later he died, put to death by the clergy and politicians of his day. Some said the infant was holy, others said the man became holy through prayer and selflessness, through