Keeping Kith: Field Notes from the Prairie Podcast

Keeping Kith with chicks and calves and sheep

The past few weeks have been filled with every emotion I’ve ever felt: Joy, gratitude, despair, utter exhaustion, more despair, more joy. It’s been the best of times, the worst of times, and every other time all at once. Human-ing has never felt more challenging or more beautifully fragile, and yet I somehow feel luckier than ever to be here now, sharing the planet with you and everyone else. SO this episode is a simple one—you get to come with me to do my morning chores. Sometimes it is hard to get myself moving in the morning, but I never fail to love it once my body is in motion. This year’s batch of chicks is just as precious as every other year’s, as are the bottle calf and the yearling lambs. Peace of mind comes easily in their company. Meanwhile, I hope you are all finding kithship with new buds and blossoms and birds. And I hope you are finding joy even if you are also facing challenges. It feels like almost everyone I know is dealing with really, really hard and painful stuff, and if that is you, too, I am sending you love. Also, if you live in or around Bison, SD, come dance with us next month! We are holding a ‘mini-music fest’ in our backyard next to the Sheep Shed Cafe from 5-9ish. There will be a food truck, art demos, garden tours, and, of course, beautiful music. All are welcome… Get full access to Our Little Pasture at elizablue.substack.com/subscribe [https://elizablue.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Keeping Kith with Pine Trees

Another windy recording! If you’ve been following along, you know wind noise has been the ongoing challenge of making these field recordings. And yes, there are a lot of windy days here on the short grass prairie, but the 100% overlap between recording days and windy days is starting to seem like more than a coincidence. So I gave the wind a chance to have its say…which also meant capturing one of my favorite sounds: the wind moving through the long needles of a Ponderosa Pine, a tree both beautiful and resilient. In other new news: Toward the end of the episode, I introduce the next iteration of “Keeping Kith,” which will be a more formalized version of this podcast. I am working on it now. The five-episode arc investigating how faith and spirituality can inform our relationships to land will come out in June as part of the storytelling endeavors of the Rural Faith Initiative [https://www.ruralstrategies.org/rural-faith-initiative]. My first interview this week brought a new favorite question to combat the anxiety and despair many of us feel when we think about our rapidly changing world: What are the eco-wonders where you keep kith? What and where do you find joy when you get to spend time outside with your human and more-than-human neighbors? Also, maybe you know someone who works in agriculture or land stewardship, whom you think I should interview? I’d love to hear suggestions! Get full access to Our Little Pasture at elizablue.substack.com/subscribe [https://elizablue.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Keeping Kith with Storms

It’s a big week here! We’ve just had a blizzard and by the end of the week it is forecasted to be 80 degrees. Even those of us who are used to the extremes of a western Dakota spring have to marvel at the scope of wild weather we are experiencing. Honestly, keeping kith has never felt more important to me, which is why I’m very thankful this week also brings two different opportunities to gather. Finding a calm center may not be possible right now, but we can find stability, joy, and connection in the spaces we share, and I believe those are the structures that help tether us to the deep love this moment calls for. The first gathering is on the Spring Equinox this Friday…5 pm mountain time (4 pacific, 6 central, 7 eastern) and we will discuss a few upcoming events, including one for World Water Day—more on that below—as well as how we can be cultivating kithship in our own communities. Then Nicole Stone, of Dharma Wellness, will lead us through a brief intention setting activity as we think about the seeds we are sowing in our lives and communities. We will end with a chance to chat for anyone who wants to stay on the call. Message me for the zoom link. And here’s the info for our second event: On World Water Day (March 22, 2026), we invite people everywhere to pause and gather with water at 10:00 AM Mountain Time. You might visit a river, lake, spring, or ocean, gather with friends at a local waterway, or simply sit with a bowl of water from your tap if travel isn’t possible. These gatherings are intentionally independent—each person or group is free to shape their time in whatever way feels meaningful. Whether in silence, spoken words, or collective reflection, each gathering becomes part of a wider network of people showing up for water—together, at the same time, wherever we are. To support these gatherings, I’ve created a toolkit in collaboration with some beautiful healers and activists that offers simple ideas to help you host or participate in a gathering if you’d like guidance. Use what’s helpful, and feel free to ignore the rest…these are just suggestions! Toolkit for Gathering 1.)Vocalizing–Participants introduce themselves out loud. Can be as simple as “Hello, my name is…I’m here to celebrate you!” directed at the water. Encourage people to vocalize love and support for the water that supports us. Every human’s voice is unique and uniquely powerful! 2.)Listening–Participants can observe a few moments of silence. This time can be for listening, noticing, and meditating. 3.)Setting intentions–What commitment can we make to cultivate an ongoing relationship with the water, especially local waters? How can we broaden our convictions in community to keep showing up to protect and support our waters’ health? Additional ideas to incorporate into your gathering: *Consider broadcasting live via a social media platform to invite more people into connection with their local waterways *Bring watercolors + paper and have participants use water from your waterway to paint a mini-mural *Bring instruments or add songs to the vocalizing part of your gathering. Song ideas: “Water is Life” by Sara Thomsen “Water Song” by Amber Lily *Post a video from your gathering (with participants’ permission) and add a hashtag #worldwaterday #bhworldwaterday #westernsodakworldwaterday #keepingkith *Additional Reading: The Power of Eight, by Lynne McTaggart Created in collaboration with Kithship Collective Better Together: People Over Party Unity Harmonics Radiant Health Yoga & Wellness Studio Fall River Stewards Black Hills Environmental Coalition Dharma Wellness Institute Get full access to Our Little Pasture at elizablue.substack.com/subscribe [https://elizablue.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Keeping Kith on the Road!

Short podcast and short missive this week! Keeping Kith on the road! Get full access to Our Little Pasture at elizablue.substack.com/subscribe [https://elizablue.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Keeping Kith with Cottonwoods

My most trusted tree friends…the hush hush trees… so magical! If you’d like to read an essay about these very special trees, you can find one here [https://elizablue.net/untitled-essay/]. In other, not-so-surprising news, I have not-quite-intentionally given up social media for the time being. But I am determined that we stay connected! So, I’ll keep posting here, but we are also planning in-person events this summer, including the Keeping Kith Festival June 6th!! If you are anywhere close to Bison, SD, you should come :) Also, I feel like you can hear the wind come up during my diatribe against billionaires, which I will take to mean the wind agrees with me... Get full access to Our Little Pasture at elizablue.substack.com/subscribe [https://elizablue.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]