Slough. (slŭf) n. An outer layer or covering that is shed or removed. Humans continuously slough skin cells, millions every day. Sometimes I speed up the process by using a little abrasive cleanser to smooth the rough spots, or get a facial at the spa to peel away the tired, dead cells. It feels good [...]
Category: Grow
Grow Your Whole Life Through
I learned a lot about life stages from my friend Jean. She developed several important developmental affirmations over years of study and collaboration with partners in parent education. The affirmations fit all stages of life from infancy to death and have been used by people all over the world. Here are a few: I love [...]
Rare Bird
Just down the shore from our cabin an Arctic Loon was spotted and recorded for the first time in Wisconsin. The South Shore of Lake Superior may not be the place to see birds in great numbers, but often has interesting and rare species. Ryan Brady, an expert birder who works as a conservation biologist for [...]
Tree of Life
I continue to take inspiration from trees--they teach us how to live in different seasons, store resources during dormant periods, clean the air and water around us, model longevity and growth. Read about the wisdom I found in Suzanne Simard's search for the mother tree.
Matriarch Remake
Changes come when we end and begin. I am ready to grow into this next stage of life in retirement.
Portrait of a Matriarch
Today as I ride along the familiar route to Abbott Northwestern Hospital, I think of all the times I have bumped along the potholes of 28th Street, turned left on 10th Avenue, entered the ramp and circled the dark floors to park, find the floor and suite where we were expected. There was a Tuesday [...]
Am I a Modern Elder?
Are you a modern elder? And what does that mean exactly? Read about a midlife wisdom school and preparing for retirement.
Swim Flight
In a dream I dive off a pier into a lake. I am not a strong swimmer, but today I dive with ease, surface quickly and skim along the water’s surface like Olympic racers do, in a rhythm that is easy and strong, fast and even. I can see fish and plant life below the [...]
Foraging
One of my little rituals while at the cabin is to fill three small vases with the blooms and greens I gather from my first walk. I grab my scissors and walk the yard, driveway and road ditches. I guess you could say I forage for flora. Flora is the plant life of a particular [...]
Livelihood
"I find people for jobs, not jobs for people." My day job is search. Some refer to us as "headhunters" which seems a bit primitive, and limiting. In my work to find the right person for a particular role, I consider the whole person, not just their knowledge and experience. Will they want to live [...]
Matriarchy 