My ball cap shields my eyes a bit from the morning sun and frames my view from the kayak. The morning sun lifts the cool air left from the night. The still water reflects the shoreline made of white pine, balsam fir, sugar maple, basswood, and oak. This lake, where I’ve experienced the beginning ofContinue reading “Special Childhood Places”
Author Archives: timothygoodwin
Trusting the Science
Throughout the pandemic, I’ve followed the science. I understand science changes as we learn more–which is how I know the scientific process is working. When it gets it is wrong it self-corrects. That’s how it works. Science isn’t dogma, though of course at times scientists can be just as dogmatic as others because they stillContinue reading “Trusting the Science”
Combating (unacknowledged) Totalitarianism
Yesterday I had the option on Minnesota Public Radio of listening to a story marking a year since the murder of George Floyd or a celebration of Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday. Then today, reading through some notes for a seemingly unrelated writing project, I saw a connection between the two when I came across thisContinue reading “Combating (unacknowledged) Totalitarianism”
Within These Woods: Balsam Fir
Did you know there’s a connection between the balsam fir and invention of chewing gum? Well, if you listen to this short essay about the balsam fir, then you will!
When The Old Escapes Into The New
Each spring I revisit the poem “A Purification” by Wendell Berry. It’s a good reminder to let go of some things and strive for renewal. Boy howdy, does that seem appropriate this year. This year I wrote this short song which is adapted from that poem. Turned it into a secular prayer of sorts. Here’sContinue reading “When The Old Escapes Into The New”
Within These Woods: White Pine
This week’s essay is about the grandfather tree, the White Pine.
Within These Woods: Chipping Sparrow
This morning essay uses the demure little chipping sparrow to explore the idea of honoring individuality while finding one’s place as part of a collective whole. Something we seem to struggle with a bit in our country right now.
Stop Trying to “Help the Environment”
I often hear other people say they are “helping the environment.” Whenever I hear this phrase I’m a little disheartened. I concede the intentions are good. Everyone wants to “help the environment,” even those that are at the same time actively causing damage, which is almost all of us. My struggle with this phrase isContinue reading “Stop Trying to “Help the Environment””
Within These Woods: White-Breasted Nuthatch
Here’s a little essay about a little bird.
Within These Woods: Beaver
The original master carpenterRaw materials of sticks and mudWoven dams and all-season lodgesShe swims silently to and fro accumulatingA cache of tree tops for winter’s approachIgnoring my observing eyesUntil I come just a little too closeThen…THWACK!Her mighty tail crashes down on the water’s surfaceAnd she is gone and all around are warned
