Blueberries from my backyard berry patch Getting dirty has a whole lot of benefits. When the military relocated my family to the South East, I was excited to grow a whole plethora of fruits and vegetables that don't thrive in the Northwest. Citrus trees, anyone?  I was also thrilled that after years of living in base housing or renting, we were able to purchase a home with lots of room for gardening. I was not raised by gardeners, but have always had the urge to grow things. My base-housing porches often hosted a variety of tomatoes and strawberries in planters and I've been known to sneak broccoli and cabbage into my landscaping. Just saying. With the space to grow our own food, it's been an adventure in trial and error. Some plants die. I have no idea why. One day they are fine. The next they are yellow, limp, or squashed flat to the ground by the mysterious character "Not Me." The kids love helping plant new seeds and sprouts. They don't en...

There's just something about nature and being way out on a trail with the twittering birds and seasonal flora that keeps me coming back again and again. Perhaps it's because I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, in the shadows of mighty Mt. St. Helens and among the misty fir forests. I feel more alive in the woods than anyplace else. I love the workout. When hiking, I use muscles I wouldn't ordinarily use. Blood pressure decreases. My heart grows stronger. Hiking rejuvenates my soul. Any season is great for hiking and has a lot to offer, but I am partial to spring.  Here in Ne Florida, the forests are thick with vibrant greenery and birds abound.  The eighty-degree weather begs for outdoor activity and feels like warm silk on one's skin. How could we possibly stay indoors? The kids and I hit the trails at the University of North Florida today and marveled at the tiny pink and white blossoms on the wild blueberries. We discussed the animals that mi...

I want to love reading aloud. I really do. I love good books. Great literature makes my heart flutter. I have visions of warm, cozy moments snuggled together with my littles, Little Women in hand and their upturned faces listening with rapturous interest as I regale the beloved story of Jo and her sisters. We would cry together at the death of Beth, cheer on the beautiful love story between Laurie and Amy, and discuss the importance of family and sibling relationships. That's not what happens. The truth is far from ideal. The kids and I gather and crack open an exciting adventure.  It must be fast-paced and edgy to keep their interest. I read with inflection. Dramatic pauses occur. Yet no matter how engaging I try to be, it's not five minutes before my youngest kids are rolling on the floor. Or throwing balls. Or perhaps chasing each other around the house, talking, bothering the dogs, rolling toy trucks noisily around the room, fighting, or any number of cri...