What has been the biggest change in your life in 2025? The biggest change has been my employment as a full-time chaplain. This has been a dream that I have been working on for several years. After two years of temporary employment as chaplain resident, I am thankful to be settled into a long-term positionContinue reading “Six Questions for the New Year: 2026”
Category Archives: blog
My 40th Birthday: The Four State Challenge
Start: 4:12 a.m.Finish: 9:30 p.m.Stats: 46.17 miles, 7677 elevation gain, 15h49m moving time, 17h18 m elapsed timeRoute: Pen Mar Road (drop off site) to Virginia state line (sign reads “Entering Harpers National Historic Park”) and then to Chestnut Hill Road (pick up site)Method: Day hike with support I wanted to hike the Four State ChallengeContinue reading “My 40th Birthday: The Four State Challenge”
Ultra-Trail Harricana 65K: Race Report
My body vibrates with excitement and nerves. Can I run 40 miles? Matt, friend A., and I pull into Parc national des Hautes Georges in La Malbaie, Quebec. A blow-up arch marks the start line. At the car, I pull on my bulging running vest, filled with one liter of water and dozens of energyContinue reading “Ultra-Trail Harricana 65K: Race Report”
38th Birthday
The post on my 37th birthday will come soon, I hope. I want to tell you the story of my 65K ultramarathon. It is a story not just about physical resilience but about emotional resilience, and the strength I have discovered within. However, today marks my 38th birthday. I have changed my life this year.Continue reading “38th Birthday”
How Running Makes Me Feel
Do you run? If so, how does running make you feel? If you do not run, how does your movement of choice make you feel? Running makes me feel free. This December, I experienced a sudden onset of adult epilepsy, which has since been successfully treated. Because of my seizures, I could not drive forContinue reading “How Running Makes Me Feel”
Joy’s Birthday Party: Sept. 10
Hello, welcome to my birthday party! I turn 37 on September 8; to celebrate, I am running the Ultra Trail Harricana 65K on September 10. This race is my birthday party! I invite you to attend my birthday party digitally, or in person if you would like to travel to Quebec. To attend my virtualContinue reading “Joy’s Birthday Party: Sept. 10”
Carnivorous Plants: Sundew
I am delighted to introduce you to the sundew (genus: Drosera)! They live on every continent except Antarctica. The genus Drosera is comprised of over ninety species! The sundew grows sticky tenacles on its long leave blades as a way to catch insects. In many species, the leaf then folds over itself, like a sandwich,Continue reading “Carnivorous Plants: Sundew”
Carnivorous Plants: Butterwort
Today, I want to introduce you to the butterwort (Pinguicula)! The butterwort is considered an active flypaper because it has sticky leaves that catch animals* and move to curl around them. At the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, the butterworts are teeny tiny. On February 11, the first butterwort I saw measured 1-2 inches wideContinue reading “Carnivorous Plants: Butterwort”
Photo of the Week: Frozen Confetti
‘Arnold Promise’ Witch-hazel See full album here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzDUrA .
Carnivorous Plants: Parrot Pitcher
Today, I want to introduce you to the parrot pitcher (Sarracenia psittacina), which is a type of trumpet pitcher! I like to think of the parrot pitcher as a bit of a magician or an illusionist. The parrot pitcher lies horizontally. In order to lure the animals in, the parrot pitcher places nectar on theContinue reading “Carnivorous Plants: Parrot Pitcher”
Joy of the Journey 