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Artemis Adopts a Pup: A Fanciful Ancient Greek Diary

On January 21, 2020 / Psychology and Mythology / 12 Comments

56 September I’ve had dogs all my life, so I should know how to raise them. The God Pan brought me a litter of six black pups and said they could be trained to hunt lions. I

When We Were Almost Poor

228 “I hear a baby calling,” I said to my husband Vic in 1970. After a day at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, we were driving toward the tiny stucco house we rented near a walnut orchard

Here Comes the Sun

On December 24, 2019 / Nature, Psychology and Mythology / 17 Comments

174 It won’t be long before the Earth is tinged with color in the snowy land where I live. In these cold dark days, it helps to remember Nature is preparing for a new season. Through the

How to Build a Heart Fire

On December 10, 2019 / Family and Friends / 25 Comments

219 The sky darkened from dusk to inky blue. Disco the sweet black pup became an exhausted brat jumping on my old dog Willow, biting at the leash when she went out for a last pee, mad

Now Our Minds Are One: An Iroquois Prayer of Gratitude

On November 26, 2019 / My Land and Home, Spirituality / 15 Comments

262 This ancient prayer of Thanksgiving comes from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people. The prayer is used to give thanks, bless gatherings, and greet the day. I plan to read it at a Thanksgiving gathering this year and

On Iroquois Land

On November 12, 2019 / My Land and Home, Psychology and Mythology / 36 Comments

590 “Why don’t you write about the Iroquois?” my son Anthony said. His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. “The people who lived here had a Matriarchal Democracy. Perfect!” “Good idea,” I said. “It’s embarrassing how little I know.”

Marion Woodman and the Princess Who Said No

On October 29, 2019 / Psychology and Mythology / 13 Comments

235 “Why are you giving a lecture?” a woman in the audience said as she stood up. Her voice was hard and defiant. A few others joined the chorus. They wanted intimate groups, creative exercises, and art,

Inspired by Artemis, Lured By Joy

On October 15, 2019 / Family and Friends, Psychology and Mythology / 28 Comments

409 My friend Barb Cook shared a video of six squirming black puppies. I watched as a vet checked each one before handing it to an assistant for comfort. I’d wanted a pup for a year, but

Grief, Hope, and Climate Change

On October 1, 2019 / Nature, Political Action / 15 Comments

96 Two boys walked on the other side of Seneca Street. We were leaving the Climate Strike gathering on the Ithaca Commons. I watched these teenagers, one dark skinned with a snug T shirt showing his taut

Facing Our Deepest Fear

On September 17, 2019 / Bereavement and End of Life / 24 Comments

268 “I’m afraid to die,” Vic said. His raspy voice was soaked with despair. I rubbed his tight shoulders while he leaned into me, his head resting against my heart. “I meditated and studied with wise teachers