Last month, I spent some time hiking with my family in the mountains near Thun. This is the "Bernese Oberland" region, gateway to the Alps. We took a funicular up to the Niederhorn (Switzerland is full of such conveniences) and hiked along a ridge for a few hours. The views were magnificent; we could see … Continue reading Peak experience
Life in Switzerland does require some adjustments. For example, there are things one routinely finds in the grocery store here that one does not in the States, some more welcome than others: Quince Venison Quark Chestnut paste 8 zillion kinds of chocolate bars And there are the things one doesn't find, and that I miss: … Continue reading Other tongues
Here's an essay that was originally published in LILIPOH. It's also included in a new edition of my little book Simply Sourdough, which is now being printed and sold by the Waldorf Early Chidhood Association of North America. I've turned over all the profits to WECAN in appreciation of their important work on behalf of … Continue reading Baking day
Along with some of my own writing from the past, as I was packing up recently I came across a book in which I recorded things my son said between the ages of three and six. As many have noted, children at this age have such a fresh and surprising approach to language that can … Continue reading Wise words from a toddler
Sorry for the long silence here, things got very busy as I was finishing up packing and moving. I've been in Switzerland for almost a month now and I'm still adjusting! But all our things arrived, my residence permit came through and I'm starting to find my way. From the Granite State I've moved to … Continue reading From granite to limestone
As I've been going through long-ignored documents and books, I've found some interesting messages from my past self. My high school yearbook quote, for example: Remember that the Mirror shows many things, and not all have yet come to pass. Some never come to be, unless those that behold the visions turn aside from their … Continue reading Wise words from myself
Recently I was hit by a blast of anger from an unexpected direction, from a person I thought I was on good working terms with. She was upset about something I had done, which I was willing to hear and take responsibility for as necessary, but I was stunned by the virulence of her reaction, … Continue reading As we forgive
This is my first attempt at blogging from my phone, as I'm still abroad. Without getting too wordy, I thought I would just share some images from my current travels in this lovely country. Most pictures are from the Chasseral region, a popular hiking destination in the Jura mountain range near the border with France. … Continue reading Postcards from Switzerland
Entering the Enchanted Castle will be on vacation for a month or two. I expect to be back sometime in the summer. Enjoy all your wanderings!
Preparing for an international move is quite a process. For much of my life before I got married I was a student, and moved to a different temporary residence every few years. I was used to living out of a suitcase and discarding or storing whatever didn't fit into a single room. But since setting … Continue reading Letting go
