
Shifting Seasons at 9,318 Feet: Family, Rituals, and Winter Prep in Silverton
This past weekend, Phen came home for the first time since heading off to boarding school. It was so nice. My mama's heart felt regulated for the first time since he left, with all my babies under the same roof. Knowing the next time he might be home is Christmas — and that he will certainly need his winter gear before then — we had an annual hurdle to tackle.
Enrichment Outside of Silverton: Why Getting Out Matters
One of the most important things about raising kids in a small town is getting out. Perspective matters. Experience matters. Getting outside our box matters.
While many of us chose life in a tiny community for its simplicity and lack of flash, kids need more. They need to see, do, and feel things beyond dirt streets and multigenerational hockey games.

Blues, Brews, and the Therapy of Friendship
This past weekend was the 31st Telluride Blues & Brews Festival—three days of music that can bring tears to your eyes and fill your soul. I’ve been going with a group of girlfriends for nearly a decade now. Different women, all from across the Southwest, ranging in age from early 40s to late 60s. Together we camp, dance, cook beautiful meals, make art, cast spells, and share what’s really going on in our lives.