Many On Brand Elements

Posted on by gracesmuggler
An electric bike chain

I was wearing a dress (On Brand) on a summer day. In fact, it’s my favorite one. Additionally, I was riding my bike around town (On Brand) enjoying the weather and the scenery. I pulled off onto the sidewalk so I could take a picture of a gorgeous flower (On Brand).

When I got up to go, the wrap-around-tie of my dress became untied, and once I began to pedal, it became caught in the chain of the bike. I stopped, literally tied to my bike. And then I spent some time trying to untangle this tie, and myself, from my own bike. It felt equal parts silly and frustrating, because I was having no luck with this task.

A person was walking down the street, and I asked if he could help me. A bit embarrassing, but I had a feeling he would be willing, and I thought it might be fun to give us both a story (On Brand). It took us a while but then together, it worked!

Once I was riding down the street again, I found myself thinking about how lovely it is to have help and a sense of neighborliness (On Brand) and I thought I would blog about it (On Brand).

So I did. 🙂

Has anything very On Brand happened to you lately?

— Renee Roederer

Facing One Another

Posted on by gracesmuggler
A golden, yellow T-shirt reads, “Together, we stand, no one faces epilepsy alone.”

There is no doubt that without community connections, an epilepsy diagnosis can feel remarkably isolating and lonely. At the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, we are always seeking opportunities to forge kinship through connection, joining our entire network in the commitment to ensure that “no one faces epilepsy alone.”

At Family Camp this weekend at North Star Reach, children and families were able to face one another with joy-filled introductions, knowing that they were in the presence of people who understand the epilepsy journey — each story unique, each relationship supported with care.

On Friday, I got to attend the opening gathering when children and families introduced themselves to one another and shared their excitement for camp and all its activities. Each family unfurled an introductory banner that they had created.

Together, we move away from isolation toward relationships of celebration and care. It’s a precious privilege to witness the transformation.

— Renee Roederer

“Dust Devil” by Christian Wiman

Posted on by gracesmuggler
Life Unknown (Installation) | Chiharu Shiota | 2023 | metal and rope 

Dust Devil, by Christian Wiman

Mystical hysterical amalgam of earth and wind
and mind 

over and of
the much-loved

dust you go
through a field I know

by broken heart
for I have learned this art

of flourishing
vanishing

wherein to live
is to move

cohesion
illusion 

wild untouchable toy
called by a boy

God’s top
in a time when time stopped.

Long Goals are Satisfying

Posted on by gracesmuggler
The final screen of my completed German Duolingo course, along with my own comments about finishing it.

When you have a chance to complete a super long goal, it is super satisfying. After 558 days, I finished German Duolingo. I put so many hours of learning into this, and I didn’t miss a single day. This was a long streak.

And it’s going to pay off because I’m headed to German-speaking parts of Europe soon. I’m excited to put this into action.

Have you completed a long goal that you’re especially proud of? Or do you have one underway now?

— Renee Roederer

Why I Share Beauty

Posted on by gracesmuggler

Photos by Renee Roederer

Why do I find ways to share beauty every day — both nature and stories?

Frankly, because I enjoy them, and I value the process of discovering them. And people tell me they enjoy them too.

But beyond the most obvious levels of enjoyment, I find, share, and lift up these experiences to remind us that beauty is still there in abundance. This adds resilience to us. And this stands as a reminder that there are human connections, forms of life, and a whole world worth our striving, protecting, and delighting.

— Renee Roederer

We Start Somewhere

Posted on by gracesmuggler
A hydrangea plant.

Last night, I planted a single hydrangea plant.

In several places, my yard is filled with wildflowers and… weeds. I don’t have any mulch down so all of these grow, and sometimes they overgrow. I have some pulling to do.

In August, many of the wildflowers will bloom, and my yard will be filled with goldenrod. The bees will be happy, and I will enjoy that too.

But it’s time to simplify all that overgrown green after it blooms. I think I’ll plant more flowers over time with some mulch. Hydrangeas make me happy. (The bees will enjoy these too.)

Anyway, in the midst of so many big green plants — tall, still unbloomed wildflowers and weeds — one single hydrangea plant with no flowers seemed like such a meager effort of change. But you have to start somewhere. We get start somewhere.

And I figure that’s true about so many things.

— Renee Roederer

This Week in Nature

Posted on by gracesmuggler

This weekend, I had one of the most adventurous days I’ve ever had in Michigan. I took some of my family members to Traverse City, and in one day, we traveled around the whole Leelanau Peninsula (it’s the tip of the pinky when Michiganders do that hand map thing).

Leelanau Peninsula Tour:
Sleeping Bear National Lake Shore, Empire, Glen Arbor, Leland/Fish Town, Northport, Grand Traverse Light House, Suttons Bay, Traverse City.

Here are some beautiful photos!

— Photos by Renee Roederer