Breathing Space & More...

This little phrase might get me through the next few months:  "Remember the lichen."   Lichen is an algae or bacteria (or both) that lives in a symbiotic relationship with fungus.  It can grow on almost anything and in almost any climate.  I typically see it on trees and rocks when I take a walk in nature.  It can be confused with moss, but it isn't related to moss or plants.  Lichens do not have roots, instead they produce their food from sunlight, air, water, and minerals in the environment.  They are not parasites and only use the plant, tree branch, or rock as a place to stop and grow. Lichens come in all colors and shapes.  They are beautiful in their patterns and designs.  And they are slow growers.  The fastest lichen grows at .5cm per year!   So why am I bombarding you with all of this science?   Because many times I want to see progress.  I want results and I don't want to wait.  When I remember the lichen, I understand that things need time t

This past week I was off on an adventure.  On Monday, in the darkness of an early morning, I boarded a charter bus full of 5th graders, teachers, and other chaperones headed to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN.  5 days and 4 nights together, with a schedule so intense that I wondered if I had made a mistake when I volunteered to go. I was a veteran to Wolf Ridge, but my last trip was in ninth grade and my memory of the experience was very sketchy.  One thing that I did remember was a class called Winter Survival.  A three hour course in which you and your teammates were "stranded" in the woods and had to use the simple supplies provided to make shelter, build a fire, and make hot cocoa.  At the time I was scared of matches so starting a fire felt super daunting and I remember the COLD as we worked to build a shelter!   This time around, the class fell on our last day.  I was prepared with hand warmers and many layers.  We met in the classroom f