Category Archives: Simplicity

Addie’s Journal – Chapter 5

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Mary Jo Doig

On Addie’s second day, our walks were delightful. On our first morning walk, I fastened her leash, opened the sliding door, scooped her up to take her down the three steps to the yard. As soon as she stood on … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal friends, Compassion, Gifts, Grace, Gratitude, Mother Nature, Simplicity | 1 Comment

April the second

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Mary Jo Doig

I wake slowly into this Sunday morning and lay still, thinking of earlier years on April the second. This is the day my former in-laws married nearly a century ago. I think of all the ways their union interfaced with … Continue reading →

Posted in Bovina Stories, Family, Gifts, Grace, Gratitude, Living Mindfully, Mother Nature, Mystery, Peacefulness, Simplicity | 6 Comments

Simple, Delicious Hard Red Wheat Berry Bread

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Mary Jo Doig

If you love homemade bread, in particular a dense and chewy, richly-flavored, whole-grain loaf, here’s a recipe I’ve been using lately that’s amazingly easy to make and, oh, so delicious to eat. Almost No-Work Whole Grain Bread 3 cups whole … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, In the Kitchen, Living Mindfully, Nurturance, Simplicity | 2 Comments

Little Punkins

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Mary Jo Doig

Although I’ve been making quilt squares in my spare time during the past year, on the winter evenings when dark arrives early, my perennial urge to knit returns once again. This inner prompting reminds me of the Catskill Mountain days in late winter … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Gifts, Grace, Gratitude, Living Mindfully, Peacefulness, Poverty, Simplicity | 3 Comments

Lint and Light

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Mary Jo Doig

Connie Spittler is a member, as I am also privileged to be, in a dynamic Work in Progress writing group. Recently she shared this story with us and I was so moved by it, I asked her permission to repost … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace, Living Mindfully, Mystery, Simplicity | 2 Comments

A Sliver of Light

Posted on November 12, 2016 by Mary Jo Doig

Following this debilitating post-election week, I found myself aching for solitude and solace. The autumn day is sunny and bright, with few white clouds slowly drifting across the pale blue sky. Below, sun rays brighten the dwindling yellow, orange, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Gifts, Grace, Gratitude, Mother Nature, Mystery, Peacefulness, Simplicity | 12 Comments

Remembering “Stories from the Heart I” – February, 2002

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Mary Jo Doig

I’d been writing life-stories for about a year in 2002, when Story Circle Network announced its first National Conference: Stories from the Heart in Austin, TX. I, a shy writer and rare traveler, made plane reservations to fly to Austin-Bergstrom … Continue reading →

Posted in Gifts, Grace, Gratitude, Mystery, Simplicity | 5 Comments

A Sweet Bovina Story – Maple Syrup

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Mary Jo Doig

A long-time friend from Bovina, NY recently brought me a treasure of a gift: pure locally made maple syrup. As I gathered my maple syrup thoughts this morning, I realized how little I know about its origins, so engaged on … Continue reading →

Posted in Bovina Stories, Community, Friendship, Gifts, Grace, Gratitude, Mother Nature, Mystery, Peacefulness, Simplicity | 2 Comments

A Childhood Vacation

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Mary Jo Doig

The first vacation my childhood family ever had taken was approaching and we were all so excited. My mother and her lifelong best friend, Geneva, had planned it. Geneva’s three kids were Kathy, about my age, 14ish; Eric, close to … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Family, Mother Nature, Simplicity | 8 Comments

The Wonder and Mystery of Marriage

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Mary Jo Doig

They married on the one year anniversary date of the day they met, May 1, 2015. They planned the simple, yet richly meaningful celebration with high efficiency, low stress, and much happiness–in just 29 days. Polly had waited a long … Continue reading →