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Kessi World

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Where to stay to connect with the land in the Pacific Northwest

March 17, 2024 by Matthew

The inside of an eclectic lodge in the Pacific Northwest shows the morning after, with the plaid bed sheets ruffled and two pillows strewn about the bed. The window has a green border and blinds and there is a poster that reads Olympic National Park.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I grew up with a keen sense of my Irish heritage, where it wasn't a suggestion to wear green on March 17th but a requirement. And as I've traveled to the old sod many times over the years, I appreciate the connection kept alive between us in the "new world" and those who remained to keep the home fires burning. My ​Zoom-guided nature … [Read more...] about Where to stay to connect with the land in the Pacific Northwest

How keeping present shapes a soulful nature experience in the desert.

March 2, 2024 by Matthew

A desert scene at Saguaro National Park near Tucson Arizona. This is an excellent place to keep present to a nature connection. There is a giant cactus in the foreground with dramatic slanting rocks adorned with a variety of desert vegetation, under blue skies.

I'm still beaming with desert vibes from my recent visit to see family near Tucson, Arizona. A highlight of the trip was accompanying my Aunt Georgia to Saguaro National Park. This is a favorite of hers, and I'd never been, so we jumped in her Prius, took open back roads, and headed for the park on a brilliant blue sky, 75-degree day. When we entered the park, I felt … [Read more...] about How keeping present shapes a soulful nature experience in the desert.

Why grounding in nature is essential to travel well.

February 18, 2024 by Matthew

A hiker walks down steps surrounded by bright green foliage.

In 1995, I worked in the lost luggage center for an airline at Portland International Airport (PDX). Eileen was a fiery redhead standing next to me, and we worked the swing shift — a time of day when baggage tended to go missing. Passengers weary from travel would burst into the office with unpredictable coping attitudes. One evening, a frequent traveler was so upset about … [Read more...] about Why grounding in nature is essential to travel well.

How nature photography helps grounding in your own nature.

February 4, 2024 by Matthew

A woman in a plaid overcoat with pink hair walks on a forest trail in a nature meditation therapy session in an Oregon forest. The trees are adult and tall. They are relatively close together an uniform in size. This photography present perspective as the woman is a fraction of the size of the forest.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I agree. But what goes into that collection of pixels is another story. Since I bought my first camera — a Kodak disc — at Hi-School Pharmacy in Scappoose, I've felt love with almost every shot. Now, at 10 years old, and with early technology, only about 3 of the 15 frames ever turned out to be noteworthy. And of those, … [Read more...] about How nature photography helps grounding in your own nature.

How grounding in nature reset my Derry, Ireland visit.

November 19, 2023 by Matthew

A brilliant fall day in Derry, Northern Ireland. This scene is a park with changing autumn leaves fallen on the bright green grass while. In the foreground is an oval shaped pond while the steeple of a church can be seen in the distance.

Happy Thanksgiving week! I'm thankful that you're reading this newsletter. And as always, I am grateful to the natural world for all the guidance, support, and enlightenment in 2023. With a recent trip to Europe on my mind, I'll share an experience that taught me gratitude — at the beginning of my Irish tour:After a two-hour delay, the woman at the Belfast City … [Read more...] about How grounding in nature reset my Derry, Ireland visit.

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I would like to acknowledge that much of my inspiration comes from living on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

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