JOY JOURNAL BLOG

gardening, outdoors

My neighbor’s hive

“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.”― Henry David Thoreau I've never been sure who tends them. I suppose that someone does even though I'd like to imagine them coming and going from a hollowed-out tree on the hillside above our home. Wild honeybees are largely a thing of the past. Not… Continue reading My neighbor’s hive

outdoors, spiritual life

On bears in the woods and a Psalms 37 & 91 world

“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity.”― John F. Kennedy "Did you hear that?" my husband asked. I did. A "phuff, phuff, phuff" that sounded like a dog panting --… Continue reading On bears in the woods and a Psalms 37 & 91 world

family life, women

Molting vs. empty nesting

“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.” ― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick I threw my favorite dress away last night. It felt a bit disrespectful to leave it lying helplessly in the kitchen trash, its brown field and white polka dots crumpled next to… Continue reading Molting vs. empty nesting

books, writing

My new Sandscrest history book is live ❤️

West Virginia readers -- or history buffs with a special interest in the Ohio Valley -- may be interested in my newest book, which is live at Sandscrest.com. Sandscrest: A Sense of Place, A Sense of Past is a six-chapter work whose text and photos are posted in printer-friendly format. The free read is made… Continue reading My new Sandscrest history book is live ❤️