Last Thursday night before the blood moon.

I spent the time to educate my doctor about it. Now she recommends it to other patients.

One of my favorite trees on our farm.

Did u know? As gardeners, we need to change our perception of what *beauty* is. To me, these faded blooms on my Mophead Hydrangeas are as beautiful as when they're in full bloom, because they're protecting countless small souls, hidden within their quiet depths. Bravo to brown 🤎 🌿🌱🪲🌍

The splendor of tiny things.

Snow geese over our farm ❤️

Isn’t that called approach? My farm is in the flight path to our major area airport. I see planes coming and going from different directions.

A bird's-eye view of a former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp showing a wide dirt pathway flanked by parallel rows of barbed-wire fences. Groups of visitors walk along the path, surrounded by the remnants of brick structures and barracks, now reduced to foundations. Green grass contrasts with the somber history of the site, as the path leads toward a guard tower in the distance.

Auschwitz was at the end of a long process. It did not start from gas chambers.

This hatred was gradually developed by humans. From ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.

Auschwitz took time.

Some Wichita schools are easing up on recess rules, citing the benefits of 'risky play' A growing body of research shows that climbing high, running fast and conquering fears can improve childrens physical and mental health and help them get along with peers.

Way to go Wichita for bringing #riskyplay into school playgrounds!
ourcommunitynow.com/P/some-wichi...

Tiny ones.

Many of these criminals were turned in by wives and their children. I hope the families that are now in danger have a good safety plan.

This is my 61 year old husband sledding down our hill and across our frozen pond. I love that he continues to embrace his young heart.

‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

‘Absolutely insane.’ Dragonfly’s extreme loop-the-loops are unparalleled in nature Insects use “crazy turning” to dry off after a cooling dip in water

Whoa…
🤩
www.science.org/content/arti...

Time to start thinking about spring. #kcagg

We got a couple of more inches of snow on top of the 13 inches we received over the past weekend. It is a glorious sight out my kitchen window.

Photo of lichens in a tree. Quote says: “If we lost some of the lichens in our forests, the casual observer might not notice. But the forest would notice.—Dr. Jesse Miller

Have you ever noticed lichen on tree bark during a hike? They're more important than you might think.

In today's episode, we explore lichens' crucial role in ecosystems.

Listen here 🎧: https://buff.ly/3Mut28J

Why kids need to take more risks: science reveals the benefits of wild, free play Studies reveal how risky play can benefit child development. But encouraging it can be a challenge for parents.

Research shows that opportunities for risky play are crucial for children's healthy physical, mental and emotional development.

Still, in many nations risky play is more restricted than ever, thanks to misconceptions about risk and an undervaluing of its benefits.

www.nature.com/articles/d41... 🧪

Juncos eating the seeds from last season’s basil. Leave your gardens messy for the birds and other wildlife. We have 13 inches of snow on the ground and many of my gardens still have seed heads accessible for winter birds. I always wait and clean out my gardens in spring.

Word of the Day is one I keep posting at the end of the year, hoping its time will come.

‘Respair’, from the 16th century, is fresh hope, and a recovery from despair.

Here’s to a few drops of respair in 2025.

Making Sense of the Water Cycle while Playing in the Forest Transformative Ecological Activities for Kids and Their Grownups

Before understanding how humans have messed up the water cycle and how we can help restore it, we need to know how it works.
peterkindfieldphd.substack.com/p/making-sen...
#ecology #forestschool #scienceeducation #restoration #homeschooling #outdoorlearning #alternattiveeducation #playbasedlearning

Wandering, Wondering, Tracks, Traces, and “the” Scientific Method Transformative Ecological Activities for Kids and Their Grownups

Is it OK to say that I love this post of ours? peterkindfieldphd.substack.com/p/wandering-... @katharineburke.bsky.social I refer to you here! #forestschool #homeschool #science #education #parenting #ecology #learning #outdoors #ancestors #TEK #outside #naturen #tracking #play #learningtheory

Full bird feeders bring cute visitors.

Winter sunrises are worth waking up early. Have a lovely day everyone.

Depends on what I am putting in the cup 🤔

“We have to obey the rules”. Said by a man who believes no rules apply to him!

Play in the Dark – 20 Ideas Dark allows for a deeper connection to place and play of a different kind.

Play in the dark. For all who need children to play on the longest day in the northern hemisphere, lots of suggestions here creativestarlearning.co.uk/early-years-... #eyoutdoors
#playwork #forestschool #childrennature #outdoored #riskyplay #primaryoutdoors #KS1outdoors #KS2outdoors

That is a very good friend!!

I made a little grounding put in my greenhouse so when the ground outside is frozen I can still put my feet in the soil.