I go naked in the woods. Yesterday, on part of my walk, I took off my shirt and went topless for no reason. Not no reason, though. The first time I went naked in the woods, it was an apparent impulse. I didn’t have any idea why I wanted to. It was last winter, and …
To begin, let’s get the obvious point out of the way: Women’s oppression is a thing. A real, serious, major thing. Has been for a long time. For all of Western Civilization. Since the first time someone said, “Hey, you know what, let’s consolidate power with MEN and build an entire culture on the idea …
I have been aware, in the past few weeks, of a certain seeming contradiction in the nature of my social media posts. Some are sweetness and light, paths forward, time on the land, gratitude. Some are filled with anger, fury, denouncements of white supremacy, racist police, and brutality. It is tempting to choose one or …
I’ve had a number of folks recently tell me they’re worried about me because they think I’m “stuck” in trauma because I talk about it. Here’s the truth. I talk about my trauma because that is part of how I heal it. Stories are medicine. Much of the trauma I talk about is from the …
A couple days ago, in a business meeting, a friend and colleague complimented my sense of style. It was a warm moment, and I appreciated it. When he, joking, asked me for the name of my fashion designer, I wish I’d had the presence of mind to suggest the design academy where I studied. In …
He had a light brown beard and was wearing a flannel shirt over a t-shirt. Blue jeans. A little pudge over the top of his belt. White. I stopped the car and let him cross in front of me, feeling suddenly an immense compassion arising from my gut. He waved gratitude, walked on. I’ve never …
CW: Graphic descriptions of women’s bodies and sickness. Also, mention of child sexual abuse. I was going to write you a lovely, holiday-y post about the newborn sun and the return of the light, but then I spent the afternoon in a scaldingly hot tub of bloody water, throwing up over the side onto the …
It’s an alder. In the photo. This is a long story. I foolishly composed it on my phone in a fit of sudden need to get it all down. Well, here it is. My name is Fen. I have known this for much longer than I have lived it. The name came to me in …
Someone I follow on Facebook recently posted a link to an article about tree communication, and how humans can learn to understand it. I commented, “This is not news to any of the indigenous cultures who live closely with nature. In the words of the Seneca, the language is called Hail-lo-way-ain… and we all speak it. …
Hey Fen, Does a water molecule have a soul? What about a glass of water? Does a river have one too? Are they the same soul or different souls? Sincerely, A Human Dear Human, Yes. Sincerely, Fen P.S. I suppose you were hoping for more than that? Very well then.Here is a story. Two years …