Gillian Pieper

By Ashley Johnson I have decided…I’ve given up. The weather forecast is obnoxious, and Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind. It’s hot, it’s cool, it’s rainy, it’s dry as a bone for days on end. I water my garden, and then it rains. The Horse and Deer flies are divebombing me relentlessly. […]

“A good rabbit never gives up… Let’s hop to it!” ― Beatrix Potter Walking into a Farmer’s Market (even for an introvert like me), is like watching a fairytale unfold. There’s busy beehive action, color galore, scents that beguile, and sounds that woo with wonder. People hold hands, share stories, make plans, and smile wide. […]

By Ashley Johnson “Walks. The body advances, while the mind flutters around it like a bird.” – Jules Renard As humans, it’s in our nature to constantly be on the move. At least, that’s my excuse when I’m walking at the speed of light, on a mission, to complete my grocery shopping trip in record […]

The 2025 VEHI PATH Summer Challenge starts today! Check out this video of our mythical creature “Moofus” demonstrating all 10 weeks. Here are our thoughts about Sowing Medicinal Seeds: “Those who plant kindness gather love.” – Saint Basil That’s right, there was a Saint Basil who sowed medicinal joy to the underserved. But was the […]

As the light slowly creeps back into our days, let’s set an intention for the next several months. Ancient people once thought of this whole month as a time reflection. The god Janus (who the month is named after) had two faces: one that looked back at what could be learned, and one to look […]

In a world full of uncertainties, a tradition can help provide an anchor, even just for a moment. Making life feel predictable and structured, nostalgic and purposeful, rituals of tradition born out of the holiday season can be, well, like a warm cup of cheer; a chance to take a beat, breathe, and reflect, removed […]

Oh boy does that have new meaning! Some are saying the 2022-23 flu season is shaping up to be the worst ever, even calling it a “Tridemic” (COVID, Flu and RSV — a child respiratory illness). The best prevention on record is to get a flu shot and stay away from those who are sick. […]

The expression originally appeared in a Welsh publication in 1866 as “Ait a happle avore gwain to bed, An’ you’ll make the doctor beg his bread” or “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” Love the old English. In 1913, in a book Rustic Speech and […]

September is many splendid things and a hearty breakfast on a crisp fall morning can be a slice of heaven! “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”“I say, I wonder what’s going to […]

Gracious! Does it seem like everyone is getting COVID… AGAIN? By George it does (why even George himself has got it). This thing continues to mutate and nag at us like those relentless, late summer deer flies who were supposed to be logy by now. With the giant Sequoias of Yosemite at risk, a drought […]