© 2026 Kevin Pennell – Toward A Better Life

Category: Messages from Nature

  • Elemental Impressions

    We spent Thanksgiving Week in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA. I found myself intrinsically connected to the sea while there, not only the sea though, there were deeper connections to all the elements Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Theories involving the Four Elements seem to permeate virtually all cultures throughout the known world. …

  • Celebrating the Winter Solstice: Embracing Light and Renewal

    Well here we are, at an apex in the Wheel of the Year, the Winter Solstice Alban Arthan the light of winter, the very light of Arthur is upon us.  As darkness becomes light, the shortest day of the year begins yet on the other side awaits the beginning of light, the hope of longer…

  • A Community of Trees

    We lived through Tropical Storm Helene here in Western North Carolina.  As many know, the affects were, in most cases, beyond words.  The treacherous storm that inflicted its wrath on so many in a multitude of ways, loss of life, loss of home, loss shelter, water, and food.  I hear daily Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters…

  • Deer – Keepers of The Forest

    We have seen more deer since we moved into a less densely populated area in the middle of about an acre and a half, which may not be much by some standards, but a lot to others. For us, it’s just right. It’s not unusual at all to see anywhere from one or two upwards…

  • Climbing the Mountain of Life

    Living in the mountains of Western Maine offered several delightful memories including breathtaking vistas all year whether verdant spring greens, a dramatic pallet of fall colors, or white cotton snow.  After living near oceans, in the subtropics, and the desert southwest, my favorite place to call home remains among mountains, now the mountains of western…

  • Become the Butterfly

    It’s been said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” Please understand, I’m not against planning and organization, they keep us focused. Consider this though, how’s our willingness to change so we can improve, grow, and strive to become our highest and greatest self? Joseph Campbell provided some sound guidance about…

  • This Spring – Take a Natural Break

    We who live in the North Country can honestly say we “survived” the last winter.  Records for snow accumulation and low temperatures were broken.  Now that spring is finally beginning to reveal itself, many of us find ourselves going outside to dig into and work with dirt in various ways while taking a natural break. …

  • Tales for the Journey – The Calling Crows

    The American Crow, found throughout North America frequents most of Canada in the summer, also caw their hearts out from California to the Carolinas and Maine to Florida year round. These brilliant birds are commonly perched in both bare and foliage-filled treetops, gathered in fields, and wandering America’s roadsides. They can outwit most birds, animals,…

  • Wanderings in Search of Weeds

    I do realize that a weed, by definition, is a plant in a place where it doesn’t belong.  Who decided that anyway.  Can’t a plant grow where it wishes or does it require a planting permit like societies and municipal governments require building permits?  But I digress. In the last month, I’ve enjoyed watching the…

  • Tales For The Journey – Planting Seeds

            Seeds and seedlings have been planted. Now comes the time of the caretaker, to cultivate, weed, protect against predators, and nourish so the seeds grow into plants. Those plants in turn will mature to produce the desired fruit, and so grows the garden. At the end of this cycle we harvest the…