Author Archives: jbrowman@aol.com
It Could Have Been a Lot Worse
We were hoping it would be sunny when Kaitlin, Torben, Banshee and Sammy were here, but it was mostly overcast with a bit of snow and wind until the morning they left. At least they had a safe trip, and … Continue reading
Posted in Living Fully
15 Comments
Watching the Weather
Kaitlin, Torben and their two dogs are driving from the Midwest for Christmas…their route is shown on the map in red. We’re always happy to see them, but don’t encourage them to come for the holidays because of the … Continue reading
Posted in Change, Living Fully
9 Comments
My Favorite Anti-Role Model…A “Man-Eating” Grouse
cheerfulmonk. Creative commons license. cheerfulmonk. Creative commons license. Once when my husband came back from the land he said, “Guess what I saw today.” “What?” “A man-eating grouse!” He was joking about the man-eating part, of course, but he … Continue reading
Posted in Following the Path
21 Comments
I Rescued a Human Today
The Daily Puppy. There has been an excess of bad news this week, so I’m grateful to the friend who told me about this piece: I Rescued A Human Today, by Janine Allen*. It lifted my spirits and renewed my … Continue reading
Posted in Happiness, Living Fully
19 Comments
How I Was Blown Away By a Stick of Gum
drewm. Creative Commons license. This month’s topic for Robert Hruzek’s writing challenge is What I Learned From the Generosity of Others. Robert wants us to write about “a time when something completely unlooked-for quite literally blessed your socks off.” I … Continue reading
Posted in Living Fully
27 Comments
Our Garden in the Woods
I recently read Peter Mayle’s Encore Provence, and I loved his reason for not having a garden: It would be fighting nature, and nature always wins. It has more stamina and it never stops for lunch. Peter Mayle is a … Continue reading
Posted in Following the Path, Living Fully, Taking Risks
10 Comments
Knowing What We Prefer
To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying “Amen” to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to keep your soul alive. —Robert Louis Stevenson The above snapshot showing my loved ones “partying” tickles my funny … Continue reading
Posted in Living Fully
11 Comments
If You Had Led the Life I Lead
Once when my daughter was in sixth grade she was watching a boy trying to strip insulation from some wire. He was having problems so she talked to him about it. He said he was amazed, he had … Continue reading
Posted in Living Fully
19 Comments
What I Learned From Plato’s Republic
Image Editor. Creative Commons license. Democracy is the worst form of government, except for any other kind. —Winston Churchill If men were angels, no government would be necessary. —James Madison This month’s topic for Robert Hruzek’s writing challenge is What … Continue reading
Posted in Living Fully
29 Comments
What’s Your Favorite Photo?
The above picture shows me, my daughter (Kaitlin), my son-in-law (Torben) and my husband (Andy) at Kaitlin and Torben’s wedding at the Chicago Botanic Garden last May. I got this picture out because Robert Henru asked for a picture … Continue reading
Posted in Introduction, Living Fully
15 Comments
