Hearth & Heather

Ep 15: The Sweetness of Winter

As the cold settles in, we’re talking about the ways that we stay present, and the pleasures that we’re appreciating right now. Notebooks and paper planners are some of the tools that we’re using to keep steady and help us remember interesting tidbits, and in our ongoing relationship with softer ways to keep time, we’re using lights, music, and actual programs on the actual radio to give shape to our days. We wind up our winter appreciation by sharing several poems that sustain us, make us laugh, or send us further on our journeys of curiosity. Links to the many things we appreciate can be found below.Mentioned in this episode:Libby app (library ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines)The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy TanBurnside Chai and Dark Forest teas from Jasmine Pearl Tea CompanyBlack Canadian Maple tea from The Rare Tea CellarTiny Shop, The Refilleri, Eco the Flamingo (Zero Waste shops in Chicago)Candlelit Tales podcast (Irish Folk Storytelling)The Last Kingdom (Book series by Bernard Cornwell; TV series on Netflix)KMHD Portland’s Jazz RadioCommonplace BookPazyryk Swan (Felt plush swan from Iron Age Siberia)Poems read:“Hope and Love” by Jane Hirshfield“why people be mad at me sometimes” by Lucille Clifton“Advice From My Inner Punk Rock We Should All Take” by Jared Singer“When the Waves Come” by Maia“5 things at 40” by Ana Bozicevic“little prayer” by Danez Smith

Hearthside: Winter Solstice

Join us as we share our favorite winter solstice poems. Kateri reads “Shab-e Yalda” by Anis Mojgani and Kathy reads "Shortest Day" by Susan Cooper. Happy Yule, Winter Solstice, and New Year!

Ep 14: Stillness at Summer’s End

Virgo season has arrived: it’s time to keep hold of our values while also doing botanical crimes. The days grow shorter; the light dips lower. Our energy is dipping lower, too. In this episode, we talk about some of the ways that we’re learning to navigate perpetual crisis (hint: with slowness). As usual, we’re also swapping stories about the things that delight us, keep us curious, and hurt our Virgo feelings. This is a shorter conversation than usual, but we packed a lot in here! Mentioned in this episode:Episode title inspired by the book Summers End by Juneau BlackFalling Fruit foraging appJesus That’s Weird podcastA Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky ChambersIjeoma Oluo on InstagramThe Spellshop by Sarah Beth DurstA Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. KingfisherRachel Lee-Carman’s zinesThe World of Agatha Christie 1000-piece JigsawBombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, documentaryKathy’s Columbo Vibes playlist on SpotifyMother Earth's Plantasia album by Mort GarsonThe Cadfael Chronicles by Ellis Peters

Hearthside: Kupala Summer Solstice

Join Kathy by the fire as she talks about reframing the Slavic summer solstice ritual, Ivan Kupala, into a less binary intention-setting practice.Mentioned in Episode- Wolf of Coins on YouTube- Polish Folk Witch on YouTube- Kupala Summer Solstice Ritual from Crone Vibes

Ep 13: A Cluster of Coots

On the late winter Easter Sunday when we recorded this episode, we were feeling the accumulated weight of ongoing trauma. Somehow, acknowledging this led us into a conversation about play, and this episode ended up being a LOT of laughing. We do some digging into our videogame likes, dislikes, and style of play. We ask who is the Patrick Swayze of this era? What is the standard number of dicks in a bag of dicks? What is the American Coot, and why should you care? Tune in for the answers to these and other compelling questions. Play is resistance; play is growth; play is life. Have fun out there and share your fun with your people.Mentioned in episode:Scorched Earth tarot readings on YouTubeGames: Stardew Valley, Wylde Flowers, Horizon Forbidden West, World of Warcraft, Rift, Cookie Clicker, Spiritfarer, Baldur's Gate, Shelter, Witcher 3,  Fallout 4TV Shows and movies: Black Books, Young Ones, Fallout, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, The World’s EndStar Trek training exercise: Kobayashi MaruKateri’s photo of the American Coot (Instagram)