quiet discoveries – virgin’s bower
color textures scent – spindle tree
climbing shining glowing – oak tree & virginia creeper vine
mother nature’s latest installation – sassafras tree
—
‘few people know how to take a walk.
the qualities are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes,
an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity, good silence, and nothing too much.’
-ralph waldo emerson
—
nichols arboretum, ann arbor, mi, usa – october 2025
something about finding an old gate
wondering
why is it there
what it opens to
where it leads
could i
see my way through?
—
‘the gates made of light swing open. you see in, ‘
-rumi
—
nichols arboretum, ann arbor, mi, usa – october 2026
John Nieto (born 1936), Plains Warrior with Breastplate, 1998. Acrylic on canvas, Tacoma Art Museum
“Go forward with courage. When you are in doubt, be still, and wait;
when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.
So long as mists envelop you, be still;
be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists – as it surely will.
Then act with courage.”
– Chief White Eagle, Ponca Chief
—
Indigenous Peoples Day –
(the 2nd Monday of October in the United States)
To honor the rich histories, cultures, and resilience of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians,
while correcting historical narratives that long erased or minimized Indigenous presence.
as we share
our stories, our rituals, our celebrations, our food, our connections
we are reminded
as we feel
our songs, our fears, our joys, our tears
we are reminded
as we say
our final goodbyes to c.
we are reminded
—
—
image credit: elephant journal
by the side of the huron river
a stop by the dexter cider mill
is always, always a treat
feels like fall is in the air
very friendly and delicious
even an apple cider slushie
sooooooo good
Selling wood-pressed fresh unpasteurized cider, warm cinnamon doughnuts, caramel apples, apple nut bread, and small-batch hard ciders. Cash or check only.
—
“the cider tasted like Michigan too and I always remembered the cider mill.”
– Ernest Hemingway, True at First Light
—
source credits: rural innovation exchange, dexter cider mill
morning walk with friends
to the park
to the cider mill
shared
fresh hot donut
to breakfast
at the little town’s diner
inside
warm, friendly, comfort, yum
outside
a
corner of community
taped to their window
invite for a casual party pace group bike ride
signup for the 2nd anniversary
baseball golf outing
with prizes
fancy door for the fairies
to come and go
as they please
best of all
handmade thank you note
from a child to the diner
joyful art
kind words
curls
swirls
squiggles
biiiiiiig smile
fancy hair
blowing in the wind
balloon?
giant snail ?
baby snails?
maze?
imagination
and
gratitude.
—
‘mankind’s greatest achievements are found on thank you notes, not resumes.’
-wes fessler
Wesley (Wes) Fesler (1908-89) was an American football, basketball, baseball player and coach of football and basketball.
—
dexter, mi, usa – october 2026
owlet
—
Gigil (Tagalog):
The urge to pinch or squeeze something that is unbearably cute.
Prononciation: Ghee-gill
—
image credit: huffington post
the sky
the tree
the berries
i
SEE.
—
nature is not stingy
with her miracles
we simply forget to look.
-sara sarna
—
argo park, ann arbor, mi, usa, october 2026
Orangutans in Borneo – critically endangered
A program in Borneo is paying villagers to photograph wildlife instead of hunting it, turning former hunters into protectors of endangered species. Through the KehatiKu program, run by Borneo Futures, more than 800 people in nine villages in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province earn up to $200 a month by uploading photos and audio recordings of animals, with bonuses for rare sightings like orangutans. Their contributions have produced 378,000 confirmed observations, including Critically Endangered and Endangered species like the Bornean orangutan and Abbott’s gibbon. “Where previously they caught one bird and it was worth 50,000 rupiah, now they just need to take a photo,” the program’s Indonesia director told AFP, while a 72-year-old farmer named Imelda said, “we really, really want to protect them.” One farmer said the extra income is helping pay for his children’s college educations. Funded through 2028 with $300,000 in philanthropic money, the program is expanding to two more villages next month, and its managing director says there’s now evidence that local forests and wildlife are “valued more for conservation than exploitation.”
‘Through increased awareness and education
World Animal Day (October 4th)
seeks to create a world where animals are always
recognized as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare.’
-carole king, american musician
—
source credits: Aaron Parnas, Borneo Futures Science For Change, Kehati Ku
