Hello, your curious nature is welcome here!
I’m someone with more questions than answers, and I enjoy spaces where the wondering is welcomed, nurtured, challenged respectfully, and encouraged.
That’s what I hope to do with this Substack space…to nurture a curious life through nature and creativity, for you and me.
“…and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?” ~Vincent Van Gogh
Why subscribe?
You’ll get full access to “A Curious Nature” newsletter delivered to your email every Sunday morning. Inside, you’ll find:
An inspiring poem or thought-provoking quote
My weekly essay for nature lovers, readers, and writers
Reflections on what I’m currently reading
‘Just four minutes’ exercise to nurture your daily creative practice
And, a journaling prompt...because a writer is someone who writes
Personal Creative Practice
Several daily practices (always aspiring to do them all on all the days) fuel my curiosity, learning, energy, relationships, and healing. I look forward to infusing each weekly newsletter with creative nourishment in these areas.
Noticing… best done in concert with deep breathing
Being with nature
Writing in the philosophy of Amherst Writers & Artists
Reading… spotlighting nature, creative nonfiction, poetry
Moving… somatic practices, based in nature
In the spirit of fueling curiosity, I’m excited to hear from readers about the practices that nurture your learning too!
Black Vultures?!
The ‘ugly ducklings’ of the raptor world. The essential workers we take for granted. A most unexpected pleasant surprise that soared into my life in February of 2020, just before we all locked down.
Two adult black vultures found the old barn on my property and chose to use it for their nursery…for four years in a row! Between 2020 and 2023, ‘we’ (mostly the parents, a little support from me) have launched five fledgling black vultures into Middle Tennessee. I hope to continue their story in the spring of 2024 pending their return, while also sharing tales from the past four years.
They are remarkable birds. Trust me…I dare you not to learn about them and fall in love! (wink)
Amherst Writers & Artists
Everything I believe to be true about writing is encapsulated in the essential practices and affirmations of Amherst Writers & Artists created by Pat Schneider. The approach to all I share through “A Curious Nature” will be guided by these affirmations:
Everyone has a strong, unique voice.
Everyone is born with creative genius.
Writing as an art form belongs to all people, regardless of economic class or educational level.
The teaching of craft can be done without damage to a writer's original voice or artistic self-esteem.
A writer is someone who writes.
I have been writing with a group using this model since 2007 and became a certified Amherst Writers & Artists facilitator in 2017. As this community of readers and writers grows, I look forward to bringing facilitated online workshops to your screen.
“In writing, we see, sometimes with fear and trembling, who we have been, who we really are, and we glimpse now and then who we might become.” ~Pat Schneider
Let’s Connect
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