The Joyful Bower

Notes from the Bower October 2026 • Fall Dear Reader, Hello, friend! Has fall found you yet? The summer has continued to stretch on here, so October has yet to settle into its standard attire. Even though the heat has lingered, the hummingbirds have headed south, while the squirrels are working non-stop burying nuts all over the yard. Ophie delights in chasing them as we go out each morning. In this month’s edition of Notes you’ll find: a little warm walnut ink art news of my beloved...

Notes from the Bower September 2026 • Fall Dear Reader, Autumn begins in just a few weeks! September is here, but temperatures that feel in the 100s make it difficult to believe. The signs of fall are beginning to show themselves though—the dominant voices of the cicadas have subsided, and the serene singing of the crickets has taken over. The fields’ vibrant greens have started to fade, and if you look closely you can find caterpillar cocoons being set up all around. Poplar tree leaves are...

Notes from the Bower August 2026 • Summer Dear Reader, August days are here! The cicadas are still singing, but the cottonwood drift has ended. The Queen Anne’s lace has finished blooming, and is now going to seed. I’m finding them a wonderful addition for dried flower arrangements. This is a very special month for me. One year ago in August I sent out the first edition of Notes from the Bower. I’m grateful to say it has been such a blessing, and I’m looking forward to all that the next year...

Notes from the Bower July 2026 • Summer Dear Reader, A steamy summer hello to you! I always know summer is truly here when the cicadas are singing and the cottonwood fluff drifts through the sky all day long. We celebrated the 4th of July in a big way. We'd braced ourselves for an especially uncomfortable day, weather-wise—and were instead blessed with the one-and-only truly pleasant day of the week! It was a wonderful day to be outside with family and friends, watching fireworks (my husband...

Notes from the Bower June 2026 • Summer Dear Reader, Warm June (literally) greetings from the steamy Midwest! Summer has arrived and settled in, bringing thunderstorms, pervasive humidity, and every shade and tint of green imaginable. The variety is remarkable! The abundance of summer always makes me feel so alive. Our resident phoebes are on their second nesting, with five eggs this time—one more than their first successful brood. Each morning, I step out the back door with a cheerful, “Good...

Notes from the Bower May 2026 • Spring Dear Reader, A joyful May to you, friend! Each day continues to bring something new to notice and delight in. I’m happy to report that all four phoebe eggs hatched, and the fledglings have successfully launched from the nest! They have been spotted on the hillside and are continuing their fly-catching training under the expert guidance of mom and dad. If we are lucky, we may even have a second nesting before the season is over. In this month’s edition of...

Notes from the Bower April 2026 • Spring Dear Reader, Happy Easter and a joyful, blooming April to you, friend! Each day, I’m continuing to enjoy little seasonal “firsts.” Our phoebe couple has returned to nest again in the same spot as last year—under the eaves of our back porch. We have a perfect view of them from the dining room, which is a lovely gift. In this month’s edition of Notes, you’ll find: ☀️ A reflection from nature—on light, timing, and the quiet ways beauty meets us right...

Notes from the Bower March 2026 • SpringSpring is Speaking and Fulfillment in Finishing Dear Reader, A lovely greening March to you, my friend! I’ve been delighted to spot the first henbit blooming, along with some sunny dandelions, and to hear the first glorious chorus of frogs in the evening. The season is indeed turning! In this month’s edition of Notes, you’ll find: A nature reflection from beneath the backyard maple, noticing the quiet signals that spring is beginning to stir. An art...

Notes from the Bower February 2026 • WinterInvited to Rest and Play Dear Reader, A gentle February to you, friend! We've had a few of those teasing winter-spring days here—beautiful reminders that spring is coming, even if winter isn't quite done with us yet. In these final winter weeks, it's a perfect time to welcome the gifts of rest and play—gifts that we can so often overlook. I hope these reflections inspire you to say yes to both! In this Notes edition, you'll find: ☀️ An invitation to...