Yesterday was World Embroidery Day. It was a great nudge for me to revisit this Clever Poppy kit I’ve been working on since last summer. Hopefully I have this done for the Autumn Equinox! #crafts

A lovely example ivy on a headstone. These can represent an eternal quality due to their evergreen nature. This ivy was carved between the names of spouses from the 1800s. #cemetery.

The first blushing promise of autumn. 🍎 In other news, I’m trying to finish a short story to meet a deadline. Been a bit tricky with all the family activity lately!

I took myself on a date today in the beautiful Clayton, NY on the St. Lawrence River. In addition to dinner, I attended a talk by one of my favorite authors and heroes, @robinwallkimmerer at the @clayton_opera_house.

Came across this new-to-me headstone in the cemetery the other day. It’s in the old area where graves date to the 1800s. At first, the leaves made me think violets, but no. The flower isn’t the right shape.

So, I’ve been writing again. Working on a short story. It feels good to dip my toes back into fiction, but my writing muscles are stiff from their long rest.

Been reading “Wintering” by Katherine May. Her words resonate with me so much.

My daughter and I enjoyed a slow morning as it rained. She wanted to learn how to knit, so we began making scarves. It’s been ages since I last knit anything, but my fingers remembered.

The sky is strange From smoke and haze A twilight gloom O’er summer days Sepia ghosts Of burning wood Haunting our skies And neighborhood The newly woke All pause and stare And mourn the trees Who stood elsewhere By M. A. Phillips 2026

Monarda didyma, scarlet beebalm, finally bloomed in my garden! She’s one of my favorites. 💚 #Garden

We went to the @wildcenter in the beautiful Adirondacks to celebrate the museum’s 20th birthday! As part of the event, I got to sign up for a hand-poked tattoo by @plainjanetattooco. I chose her sturgeon flash because they’re my favorite fish! (Remember my novel River Magic?)

After therapy, I enjoy getting a drink from a favorite cafe then strolling along the river walk. It’s a soothing ritual, and I am grateful I have access to therapy — let alone therapy in such a beautiful village!

Totally fangirling because the author just liked my insta post about his book!!! 😱😆

I danced in my first ever belly dance show today! How beautiful to do that right along my beloved St Lawrence River! Dancing with others has been such a healing and confidence-building experience. So proud of myself and the other dancers! 💚 #atsbellydance #ClaytonNY #1000Islands

Flower garden update: I’m behind on weeding and deadheading, but the flower beds are vibrant and full of life! These are my favorite bursts of colors. The only fireworks I need! #flowers

My latest sewing project. She’s all embellished and ready to go! Thanks to my teacher, Beth, for lending me some supplies and pieces so I’m prepared for my first ever public belly dance performance on Sunday! #Dancer

I wish I could always start my day like this. #ADK

My husband and I finally hiked Scarface Mountain yesterday, one of the Saranac 6. It was a long day, but we saw lots of beautiful sights. It’s a really great trail! Only one left in the challenge! #hiking

Happy Summerween! 🍉 🎃

Another photo from yesterday’s Summer Solstice gathering. I hope you had a lovely weekend full of celebration, rest, or delightful combo of the two! / l \ 🌞 #Druidry

We celebrated the Summer Solstice a little early today with my Druid group. It was a small but lovely celebration to mark the seasonal transition. #Druidry

In honor of Juneteenth and Pride Month, I thought it would be the perfect time to review a book I recently read. Better Living Through Birding: Notes From a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper is an excellent example of how dynamic we are as people.

A bonfire where land and sky meet at the river. What a wonderful day to end a lovely Saturday! #Druidry

Clayton is looking beautiful this June! #thousandislands

I just learned it’s Wild Turtle Week! We saw this cutie (photographed by my husband) in the pond at the @wildcenter last weekend. Then, over the last few days, we’ve helped three turtles cross the road!

Another beautiful walk in the cemetery. Hello June! #Cemetery

What a magical day in the Adirondacks at the @wildcenter getting to know the remarkable trolls by Thomas Dambo (@thomasdambo).

Books I finished in May: The Serviceberry, The Red Tent, and The Feather Thief. I enjoyed all of them!

I got to meet a new wildflower today: prairie smoke! Isn’t she beautiful? We went to the Chaumont Barrens Preserve with the local chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. This place, nearish the 1000 Islands, is home to an alvar grassland, an incredibly rare ecosystem in NY State.

Two different native geraniums in my forest shade garden: Geranium maculatum and Geranium viscosissimum. I love them both so much. #Garden #NativePlants