Tucked beneath the vast expanse of the Big Sky and nestled between the Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges lies a slice of paradise, literally – Paradise Valley in Livingston, Montana. Just a stone’s throw from Yellowstone National Park, this historic town is a gateway to one of the most underrated ecosystems in the American West—theContinue reading “Montana Magic: Family, Fly Fishing, and Fun”
Author Archives: nancymugele
Knit One
Many of you know that I have a passion for reading and writing, but this past month I have been learning how to knit. Seriously. I am halfway finished with my very first scarf, and although the beginner kit said it would take 2-4 hours to complete, I can tell you that was false advertising.Continue reading “Knit One”
Love and Light
Love and Light are two powerful symbols of this season of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. And, to make the most of this holiday season I am filling my home with light. Jim and I are very fortunate to have a large hearth fireplace which we use faithfully each night of winter. It is very festiveContinue reading “Love and Light”
Glimmers
Have you heard of glimmers? I just learned they are small moments that make us feel a sense of joy, happiness, calm, connection, peace or gratitude. They are the little things we notice that instantly elevate our mood, even when we are feeling down. Research suggests that the ability to notice and appreciate glimmers canContinue reading “Glimmers”
Collective Joy
I have said before that JOY is my favorite word in the English language. I like it for its impact in just a few letters. I love to play it in Words with Friends or Scrabble because I feel as if I am sharing a little bit of joy with my opponent. And, I challengeContinue reading “Collective Joy”
Peace Messenger
Last weekend, at the Paris Olympics, Snoop Dog, the country’s unofficial mascot, said: Whoever holds the torch is a peace messenger. What a beautiful sentiment, and one I wish every human would internalize. We should all strive to be peace messengers, whether or not we are fortunate enough to hold the Olympic torch. I haveContinue reading “Peace Messenger”
Montana Adventures
Last week all of the East Coast members of our family joined me and Jim in Emigrant, Montana for a week in big sky country. While James is living his Montana dream as an outfitter and owner of Hatch Finders Fly Shop, and as a guide for Hubbard’s Yellowstone Lodge, the rest of us dreamContinue reading “Montana Adventures”
The Balm We Need
My dear friend, and inspirational poet, Naomi Shihab Nye spent the weekend in Chestertown as the Main Event of the 15th Annual Kent County Poetry Festival. Naomi describes herself as a “wandering poet” and I was so thrilled to have her wander back to the Eastern Shore with gratitude to the Kent Cultural Alliance. SheContinue reading “The Balm We Need”
Hygge
I recently learned a new word, well, new to me. Hygge (pronounced “hooga”) – a Danish and Norwegian word dating to the 1800s, describes a cozy, contented mood evoked by comfort and conviviality. I am now obsessed with it. In the dreary, dark days of midwinter, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying theContinue reading “Hygge”
Life Lessons Taught by an Agate
My son, the writer and successful Montana fly fishing guide, is also an amateur petrologist, one who studies the character and origin of rocks. His lifelong passion for rocks, and currently river agate and agatized woods, is unparalleled, and has earned him the nickname – Agate Magnet. Jim and I received gorgeous tumbled crystalized calcite,Continue reading “Life Lessons Taught by an Agate”
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