This piece features recommended outings around Minnesota's Twin Cities, including the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, and the historic Stone Arch Bridge.
Tag: life
The Gift of Time
Why, hello there, June! Although it feels like 2025 just started a couple weeks ago, the summer season is already almost officially here with the end of school in a couple days and the summer solstice a few weeks away. There’s something exciting about the longer summer days. Even though we don’t actually gain time, …
Love through Life and Death
In February, I began my annual tradition of starting seeds indoors in preparation for my garden. This year I felt much more savvy and ambitious since I started the first round earlier than usual, providing plenty of time for any necessary replanting do-overs. As I waited, with some impatience, for the seedlings to sprout, it …
Surprised by the Unexpected
Several weeks ago, while visiting my parents in rural Minnesota, I braved the morning’s subzero temperatures with the goal of capturing a photo of the beautiful sun dogs that surrounded the sunrise. Despite the face-numbing cold, I enjoyed the peaceful outdoors and listening to the birds and squirrels moving audibly over the crisp, frozen leaves. …
We Are All Still in Training
Several months ago, I had an opportunity to view a collection of bonsai trees. The phrase “In training” was written on a placard by each tree. At the time, it struck me as odd to consider trees being in training, they’re trees, don’t they just grow? Although bonsai trees do “just grow,” they are also …
Grace as Breath
There’s a labyrinth not too far from my home that my family enjoys visiting every once in a while. Several months ago, I watched my daughter as she sped along the winding trail while sharing cheerfully that she knew exactly where she was going and that I just needed to follow. As we wound our …
Writer’s Block
It’s interesting how challenging it is to start writing again after a blogging break. For me, the experience feels similar to starting an old car on a winter day: My writing gears appear stuck, my words are frozen, I type and delete in a sputtering way, just hoping my writing engine will soon turn over. …
Life’s in the Details
Some details are fleeting. Life’s in the details. Details overflow each day and, oftentimes, it’s the unexpected ones that can grow to enormous importance if given a chance to be noticed. At times I get caught up in seemingly inconsequential details, like a perpetual awareness for when the entryway rug needs to be vacuumed; however, …
Throwback: a collection of Jessica’s posts
As I re-read previous posts that Jessica has shared on The Unexpected Ever Afters, I was struck by the wide variety of topics and full range of emotions that she has written about. Her ability to articulate experiences and perspectives with clarity, authenticity, and insight has provided tremendous help and comfort in my own journey. …
Throwback: Candid Moments of Inspiration
Lately, I have found myself frequently getting bogged down in a frustrating pattern of struggling to tackle my overwhelmingly lengthy to-do list before succumbing to mindlessly scrolling perpetually negative news updates. The mundanity was causing me to feel despondent. I realized I needed to switch gears and instead refocus on the candid moments of inspiration that continue to happen all around me.
the unexpected ever afters 