Wunjo Way of Joy

Years ago, I found The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum—a companion for the spiritual warrior, offering guidance through simple stones inscribed with ancient symbols. Among them, the rune Wunjo—joy—kept appearing, quietly insisting that joy is not just a fleeting feeling but a direction, a compass, a way of being. It still feels true. Wunjo is a reminder to orient toward inner alignment, beauty, and the harmonies that arise when we live close to nature and close to ourselves.

I’ve been writing on and off since my teenage years—scribbling into notebooks, chasing questions, trying to remember and reveal who I am and why I’m here in this body, on this Earth. Writing became a way of listening: to my own heart, to the natural world, to the whispers of something larger. Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages showed me how to meet myself on the page, honestly and without judgment. That practice stayed with me. Writing still brings me peace, joy, and the kind of clarity that comes only through attention and reflection.

This blog is an offering from that place—a contemplative space shaped by curiosity, longing, love, and a quiet devotion to beauty. It’s a way of tuning in, of learning through presence, of honoring the seasons both within and without. The Wunjo Way is not a fixed path—it’s a practice of becoming, again and again, with wonder and heart.

message from the forest

Last Updated on July 9, 2024 Message from the forest: Stay relaxed. Take your time with everything. Do not let the fast pace of the human world rush you. Do not be ashamed of your slow deliberate pace. What would hurrying bring you? Take steady, conscious steps and walk softly on the earth. Let your…

Read More about message from the forest

Joe Hugo Kojola

Last Updated on July 9, 2024 My grandpa, Hugo “Joe” Kojola was born on this day in 1908. He died in 1994 at 86. As a kid, I thought he was Santa Claus because of his white beard, jolly laugh and round belly. He gave me shiny stones that he polished in his rock polishing…

Read More about Joe Hugo Kojola

Veronica & Dylan #NovelPossible2023

Last Updated on July 9, 2024 Novel Possible Writing Mission #11 on 11.11.23 (5 min. read) Dylan had described Veronica to others as, “Magical.” He had said, “Veronica just makes everything better when she’s around.” Dylan was Veronica’s co-worker. He was dreamy, kind, had a good heart and he treated her like gold. Veronica had…

Read More about Veronica & Dylan #NovelPossible2023

George Grey Eagle Bertelstein

Last Updated on July 9, 2024 Today my friend George left his body. With all of the people he loved so deeply, I can only imagine how hard it must have been for him to let go and cross to the other side. He did it. His death has already been a deeply meaningful teaching.…

Read More about George Grey Eagle Bertelstein

Veronica’s Secret #NovelPossible2023

Last Updated on July 9, 2024 Veronica awoke early before anyone else in the house. She braced herself as her bare feet touched the cold floor beneath her bed. She slowly, methodically placed one foot in front of the other evenly transferring her weight from heal to toe in an effort to avoid loud creaks…

Read More about Veronica’s Secret #NovelPossible2023

Veronica’s Ghost #NovelPossible2023

Last Updated on July 9, 2024 Veronica first understood what the presence of a ghost felt like on November 1st, 1985. That was exactly 3 days after she learned that her grandfather had died in his sleep. She was 8 years and 7 months old when she felt the chill in the air that moved…

Read More about Veronica’s Ghost #NovelPossible2023

Healing the War Inside Myself

Last Updated on July 9, 2024 I tried to claim to my journal that I don’t understand righteousness, but then I felt and saw that I do. Righteousness lives in me if I can undefend myself enough to see and acknowledge it. I can see ways righteousness owns me, if unchecked. There are layers of…

Read More about Healing the War Inside Myself

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus

Last Updated on July 9, 2024 This Silver Dollar Eucalyptus tree grows just outside my back gate. Each summer someone cuts it down in the name of fire safety and defensible space. No matter how valid the reason, I feel the loss deeply each time. It feels so wrong to me to unceremoniously cut down…

Read More about Silver Dollar Eucalyptus

Loneliness

Last Updated on July 9, 2024 Sometimes loneliness is gut wrenching. It feels vulnerable to talk about loneliness, but it’s such a real part of life. Facebook memories started pulling on a thread of loneliness today. I saw pictures from 8 years ago of people who came to my house for a pumpkin carving party.…

Read More about Loneliness

A rainbow is a spectrum

Last Updated on October 22, 2023 I love a rainy Sunday. I love a rainbow with my tea. I love right place, right time magic. These moments of peace and beauty feel wonderful and sometimes allow me to feel what has been bubbling underneath and rising to the surface over the last weeks. I might…

Read More about A rainbow is a spectrum

I am included

Last Updated on October 6, 2023 Today I took the long way home through China Camp. I drove slowly along curvy North San Pedro Road which hugs San Pablo Bay. 4 miles of nourishment. I love when the tide is coming in. I see rhythmic ripples in the smooth, glassy water making their way towards…

Read More about I am included

Mushrooms

Last Updated on August 30, 2023 Some notes from the mushrooms… The help that I asked for. … The world, your brain, your body, your awareness, and your consciousness are all much bigger and more expansive than you can grasp. … There are infinitely more possibilities, worlds of experience, and wisdoms available to you in…

Read More about Mushrooms