Full Harvest, Full Calendar: Staying Close to Nature as Fall Arrives
How do you stay connected to nature when fall schedules start filling up? Fall brings cooler weather, changing leaves, bird migration, harvest traditions, and some of the year’s best opportunities to spend time outside. The challenge is protecting that time as work, school, and family responsibilities return. Staying outdoors doesn’t have to mean planning a […]
The Road and the Summer: On Black Families, the Tradition of Going Somewhere, and Why It Still Matters
How did Black families turn the simple act of “going somewhere” into a lasting tradition of connection, resilience, and joy? This article explores the rich history of Black summer travel—from family road trips and reunions to iconic destinations like Idlewild—and shows how gathering in nature has long been a way to strengthen community, preserve heritage, […]
What the Horse Already Knows: On Learning to Ride in Adulthood
What can a horse teach you that life cannot? Learning to ride as an adult is about far more than balance or technique. Through her journey with her mustang, True Haven, the author discovers that horseback riding is an exercise in patience, trust, self-awareness, and authentic leadership. Along the way, she explores the often-overlooked history […]
The Water Remembers Too: On Making Waves and the Long Path Back
What happens when generations are kept from the water—and how do communities find their way back? This article explores the complex relationship between Black Americans and water, tracing how segregation and exclusion from public swimming facilities created lasting disparities in swimming ability and water safety. The consequences remain visible today, with Black children experiencing disproportionately […]
The Ride That Remembers: On Juneteenth, Black Cowboys, and the Tradition of Freedom on Horseback
What can a horse teach us about freedom, heritage, and community? This Juneteenth reflection explores the enduring legacy of Black cowboys, the history of Black rodeos, and the cultural traditions that have celebrated freedom on horseback for generations. Through personal experiences with mustang training, visits to historic Black Western sites, and the living traditions of […]
Before Summer Finds You: On Memorial Day, Open Land, and the Places That Remember Us
What makes Memorial Day outdoor traditions feel so meaningful year after year? This article explores how gathering outdoors has long connected Black families through camping, public lands, storytelling, and shared experiences in nature. From childhood memories of family camps to historic destinations like Idlewild and Oak Bluffs, the piece reflects on the deeper role outdoor […]