by Laura Parker Roerden Some thoughts on health and wholeness from Wendell Berry (posted below) resonate right now, in a world where our division has become both a goal and a means. What if as we isolate in response to COVID-19, we also find our way to wholeness: as individuals, as families, as communities, asContinue reading “Health, Wholeness and Belonging”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
A Peacock’s Day Out
by Laura Parker Roerden (May 27, 2016) The phrase “and mayhem ensued” turns out to have real application when you have animals. Recently, in a fit of cleanliness, I asked our handyman Keith to help spring clean the barn. He tidied up in general, but because he’s no slouch, he decided to surprise me by washing theContinue reading “A Peacock’s Day Out”
A New Vision for Farms, Oceans and Youth
by Laura Parker Roerden (October 3, 2019) Last week I had the privilege to present at the Wright Locke Farm Speaker Series in Winchester, MA as part of Climate Week. After an emotional week of watching youth all over the world rise up to simply ask for a livable future, it was heartening to see soContinue reading “A New Vision for Farms, Oceans and Youth”
Lessons of the Wild
by Laura Parker Roerden Click the image to view this previously published article, “Lessons of the Wild” in Schools with Spirit by Beacon Press. lessons_of_the_wild [jetpack_subscription_form] Laura Parker Roerden is the founding director of Ocean Matters and the former managing editor of Educators for Social Responsibility and New Designs for Youth Development. She serves on the boards of WomenContinue reading “Lessons of the Wild”
A Barred Owl
by Laura Parker Roerden Several nights this week I have lain in bed listening to the call and response of three barred owls outlining each cardinal direction—save for the south— which is oddly missing in the chorus, as if the baritones had boarded a bus for Times Square for some dancing and Christmas lights, whileContinue reading “A Barred Owl”
Completing the Circuit
by Laura Parker Roerden (June 6, 2017) If you’re a certain age, you might remember those strobe disco lights from the 70s and how they not only slowed down action, but captured and unnaturally suspended a singular moment. I can still see my college roommate’s expression while she danced at the disco we went to inContinue reading “Completing the Circuit”
They’re Here!
by Laura Parker Roerden (Sept. 26, 2015) Last night we drove west into a setting sun through rolling pasture-land to pick up our lambs in Scotland. Connecticut, that is. Just take a left at the Cliffs of Dover, I expected the GPS to instruct. The beautiful sheep farms and UK-influenced place names everywhere helped to create a sense of removalContinue reading “They’re Here!”
For the Love of Work
by Laura Parker Roerden Work is love made visible. – Kahil Gibran My father chose to be a farmer. By doing so, he was following in his own father’s footsteps and making good use of 62-acres of established farmland. But it was what some might call a cynical decision. You see, my dad hadContinue reading “For the Love of Work”
Stranger Things
November 22, 2013 By Laura Parker Roerden I look up and silhouetted in the dusky light is someone wearing a stripped rugby style scarf and a hooded black robe. He is carrying a white bird. I am making supper in the farmhouse, the sounds of sizzling competing with thwaps of driving rain hitting the hardContinue reading “Stranger Things”
Want to Help Address the Many Environmental Problems Facing Us?
Are you worried about the environmental challenges facing us: from global warming to plastic pollution to habitat loss to overfishing? We are too. The next generation is inheriting an ocean that is very different from the one we did. Time and again, Ocean Matters youth show us that there is hope—for our young people andContinue reading “Want to Help Address the Many Environmental Problems Facing Us?”