Episode 22 | Amazing Crow Facts and the Importance of Being in a Community

Episode 24 | Growing Tomatoes in Alaska - Don't Let the Situation Change You

Summer Solstice is a great time of year, but it is especially noticeable near the Arctic Circle - where the sun does not set.... literally.... there is no sunset.... which is a wild phenomenon if you have never experienced it.    Despite all the extra hours of light in the far North, a tomato plant given to us by a friend, produced fruit that never made it past the "green ball" phase.  We learned that the plants up there need a greenhouse to get them to ripen - because they need the consistent warmth along with the sunlight to get the job done.    Even though tomato growing was a little different up there, our dog son wasn't. He had his schedule and every evening at 8pm he would come to let us know it was his bed time. Even though the sun was high in the sky. He wasn't afraid of missing out, he knew what he needed and kept that foundation in place no matter where we traveled.     I've learned a lot about self-care from my dog - thank you Munge!

Episode 23 | Hot Days, Thirsty Plants, and Soaking up Some Quiet Time to Recharge Yourself

It's turned hot and humid in the South, so we've had to work a little smarter and less harder to manage the heat.     During our time outdoors working and clearing brush, I had a chance to really appreciate the world around me. No screens, no ear buds, just me and nature. It was such a wonderful moment of peace, that I took the time to truly appreciate what was around me.    Taking time to do this helps recharge our system, just like watering the thirsty plants out in the garden.

Episode 22 | Amazing Crow Facts and the Importance of Being in a Community

Crows are amazing, and even those who have studied them for decades are mystified by their intelligence and social behaviors.    Crows keep a close family unit and the hatchlings of last year, are the babysitters this year. A baby crow lives and learns for several years before heading out to start their own family.    Crows can count and communicate important information along great distances to other members of the group.    And because of this, they are wildly successful at adapting and raising young.    They are stronger together than a single bird alone.    Just like us.    There's never been a better time to find a community - in real life or online. Learning and sharing with others fills a deep need and can help us be happier, healthier, and live longer - better.    If you are struggling to find a group - check out a community center near you, or online for groups that are connected to an interest or hobby that you have. And it's OK to shop around - the best groups are the ones that you feel at home in, like birds of a feather.

Episode 21 | Deer Trails, Neural Pathways, and Getting Stuck in a Rut

Do you ever find yourself thinking the same depressing, negative, or pwerless thing about a situation, or person?    Why does this always happen?    There she goes again....    I guess there's nothing I can do...    Our brains are hardwired to see dangers and problems everywhere... and in the good old days, when life expectancy was age 35 for men, and even less for women - it was a helpful path for our brains to develop (like survival of the fittest).     But, that same survival mechanism creates a heaping help of misery for us today. The other cars on the road are not predators about to devour us, and the printer at the office is not a plastic demon bent on making us angry... well, maybe that last one is true...    However, the truth is that we focus and hardwire way more of the negative into our brains which then creates a negative result when we try to be happy. But is there a way to change the path? In his book Hardwiring Happiness, Rick Hanson, Ph.D. shares a means of creating new paths over time to help our brains notice and create positive experiences leading to a positive mindset. Here's his website if you'd like to learn more: https://rickhanson.com [https://rickhanson.com]

Episode 20 | Changing the Station on Negative Thoughts and the Wonder of Mockingbirds

Human Nature is a pretty negative thing, we are tuned into the worst, the bad, the danger.... so what can we learn from the Mockingbird to change the station? Want to learn more about this amazing bird? Or hear some recorded riffing? Here's a trusted source to learn more (including a handy map of where they like to sing): https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/overview#