Category: Dharma Journal

Storm clouds have been gathering all afternoon and now they speak in thunder. Wind is whipping all things moveable as plants, tree limbs, awnings, and my shirt are batted about in a rhythmic dance....

You can still see a thick cable laying along an old logging road left over from a harvest conducted in the late 1980s. The cable will be here until rust cuts its way to...

Today the desert lives up to its namesakes—dry and deserted. Summer sun is evaporating what little moisture remains in the soil and plants are withering into dust. A few hardy asters peek out from...

The Riley Ranch Nature Preserve is somewhat of an oddity within the city limits of Bend. Odd, because it represents a rare decision by a recreation-driven agency to allow nature the opportunity to recover...

We have a habit of assigning names to things. Being a student of wildflowers, I marvel at all the common and Latin names given to plants. Those who hike with me sometimes roll their...

It looks out of place. Dark green arrow-shaped leaves, woody stems, huge blossoms, and spiky fruits look like they would be more comfortable in a Southwest arroyo. But here it is, growing out of...

This week, I personally received word of three deaths: someone’s brother, a distant relative, and a friend. I often reflect on how many people, animals, insects, plants, etc. are passing away in this moment...

The wind begins to strengthen with the unmistakable ambience of an oncoming thunderstorm. My memory of this unique quality is deeply rooted. As a young boy I was indirectly struck by lightning while standing...

They are flitting about the courtyard, making numerous trips into the sky and back. Cradled within mud nests clinging to the sides of the house, open beaks eagerly await their return. Parent barn swallows...

I am sure those twelve people who read this blog recognize I am an introvert. Growing up in a world that prioritizes extroverts has forced me to face this fact of my existence. I...