In the corner of the guesthouse stands a plastic fold-out table that is the closest we’ve had to a dining room table in two years. At the Yurt, it hosted crab feasts, laptop work, building plans, and puzzles. Most recently, it was the only table in the guesthouse and...
About a year ago, I wrote “Trees, Wood, and Fire” in the Ready for Rain newsletter and mentioned how our perspective on the fireplace had changed after living on Orcas for a while: We had a natural gas fireplace in the city which ignited with the push of a button, and...
Being one with the dirt is part of the transition and how you become part of the island itself.
I was inspired by Buddhist monks to trying focusing and doing just one thing at a time. It didn’t work so well.
Since moving to Orcas Island, I've become fascinated by the geography of the area, which is quite complicated. The island is part of an archipelago in an inland sea stretching across two countries and hundreds of islands. To describe the region doesn't do it justice,...
A couple of years ago, I became friends with RJ, our local Fire Marshall. RJ and his wife sometimes (used to) host summer parties that are outdoors and include a fire. This is where I first discovered the Solo Stove. It had the blessings of the Fire Marshall. Since...
We live on Orcas Island in Washington State, which is serviced by ferries and has about 3,000 year round residents. For most of the time it's been developed, the power infrastructure has been fragile. It's a densely wooded place and trees often fall on overhead power...
I love this quote by Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin and Hobbes, which I found through James Clear's newsletter: “...having an enviable career is one thing, and being a happy person is another. Creating a life that reflects your values and satisfies your soul is a...