The pastors at the church my wife and I attend (Northfield United Methodist Church) have been preaching about the book of Ruth and idea of hesed. Hesed is a Hebrew word meaning steadfast love. But it’s more than just an emotion or feeling, but it is love in action on behalf of someone who isContinue reading “Love Hate Hope & Fear”
Author Archives: timothygoodwin
Within These Woods: Black Bear
This week’s (a couple days late) is about the black bear. We humans have a long history and a lot of mythology around the bear.
Within These Woods: Quaking Aspen
This week’s essay is about the quaking aspen. What’s most fascinating about them is their existences as a potential “super” organism. That’s not like leaping tall buildings or inheriting a global conglomarate industry to fund rage-filled vengence crime fighting. Listen to find out how it’s different. And then after you listen to me dig deeperContinue reading “Within These Woods: Quaking Aspen”
June 21, 1964
Special Childhood Places
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”
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.
