Community Voices

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Founding teacher and abbot Rev. Shoken Winecoff explains the significance of the bell at Ryumonji, a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in the rolling hills just across the Minnesota-Iowa border southeast of Spring Grove (Houston County). (Photo courtesy of the Ryumonji Center)</span>

Essay | A Story of Balance: A Zen Buddhist Retreat in the Heart of the Midwest

Anna Loney explores a traditional Buddhist monastery nestled in the hills of Dorchester, Iowa, just south of the Houston County line.

PHOTO 1 Mailbox by Bonnie Gibson

Root River Diary | Good Neighbors

Rural Peterson’s Bonnie Gibson on finding kindness on a morning walk.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">The sun rises through the trees over old gravestones at the Arendahl Cemetery (located in Arendahl Township, Fillmore County). (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)</span>

Summer Photos from the Driftless Region

Renee Bergstrom’s photos capture summer in southeastern Minnesota

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Freshly cut hay on a perfect summer day. (Photo by Greg Schieber)</span>

Essay | Making Hay…as Well as Memories

Greg Schieber on carrying on the tradition of cutting hay with his own kids.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Maiden Hair Fern (Adiantum) flourishes in full shade or dappled sunlight. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)</span>

June Arrives

Renee Bergstrom’s photographs capture recent spring arrivals.

NICOL PHOTO

Poetry | Yggdrasil…Turning green…the voice

Poetry by John B. Nicol.

Connection with a neighbor and quick action by a local ambulance crew brought aid to Don Bell.

Root River Diary | Counting on Your Neighbors

Lanesboro’s Don Bell can count on his neighbors. This is an entry in our Root River Diary.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b;"><em>High School baseball is in full force during May. In this picture, the batter makes contact with the baseball while the catcher is still poised to receive the pitch. (Photo by Craig Johnson)</em> </span>

Prelude to Summer

Craig Johnson and Renee Bergstrom capture the full essence of May.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">The author’s favorite ephemeral is the Showy Orchis. This exquisite member of the orchid family has won acclaim from some Morel mushroom hunters as a reliable signal for when the Morels will appear. Unfortunately, it is also well known for being extremely hard to find anywhere. So if you find it, celebrate your good luck. (Photos by Loni Kemp) </span>

Ephemeral Wildflowers Blanket The Woods — Quick, Look Now!

Loni Kemp, an avid gardener and nature lover, explores the diversity and beauty of our short-lived spring ephemeral wildflowers.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; "><em>Geese and goslings float in the water on a sunny spring day. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)</em></span>

Seasonal Photos

Spring Nature: Craig Johnson and Renee Bergstrom capture the emergence of animal life in April.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">A foggy morning at the confluence of the North and South Branches of the Root River, captured by photographer Renee Bergstrom.</span>

Root River Song

Harmony couple create a musical elegy to the Root River.

Reclaiming the garden was one of the first projects after moving to the Big Woods. (Photo by Greg Schieber)

Essay | Time is Illusive on Our Farm in the Big Woods

There is never enough time for all the projects on this small farm.

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