May 23Member-onlyGoodbye Big Trees — Nicole Sallak AndersonI’ve long had the habit of talking to the bees. It was something I’d been looking forward to during my time in California. Originally, I was supposed to return to the Big Trees in January, but my mother had some health issues and I needed to stay in Chicago until…Memoir5 min readMemoir5 min read
Apr 6Member-onlyThe Paschal Moon — Nicole Sallak AndersonToday, for the first time since arriving back in California in early March, the sun was warm enough for me to have my coffee and pray with the bees. I’ve written about the importance of speaking with the bees in my life, and I’ve missed my time with them. Granted…Easter7 min readEaster7 min read
Jan 29Member-onlyCan We Talk? Please? — Nicole Sallak AndersonA month into my alcohol and social media free experiment, and conversation has been on my mind. Actually, it’s a lack of conversation that’s on my mind. Hmm, perhaps it’s better to say, it’s a lack of sober, deep, and meaningful conversation that’s on my mind. Let me explain, I’ve…Conversations12 min readConversations12 min read
Nov 6, 2022Member-onlyA Rare Ode to Social Media — Nicole Sallak AndersonWith the news of Elon Musk buying Twitter, the pros and cons of social media are yet again in the news. Depending on which direction you lean-right or left; those standing tall in the middle don’t matter-Musk’s intrusion on Twitter is either the worst thing that’s ever happened or the…Social Media9 min readSocial Media9 min read
Sep 27, 2022Winter IS Coming — Nicole Sallak AndersonWinter is coming. It’s a phrase made popular by The Game of Thrones…but these days it means something else to me. For me, it represents the near future, a time when those who can tolerate the winter will move from the dry lands of endless sunshine to the places where…The Future Of Water11 min readThe Future Of Water11 min read
Aug 2, 2022It’s Eco-Friendly if You’re Rich, Trailer Trash If You’re Not — Nicole Sallak AndersonWhen I was little, my parents took us to Old World Wisconsin, a living museum where homes from the Old World were set up to resemble little villages from times past. My grandmother was with us, and I remember her saying how she had been raised in a similar environment…Environment6 min readEnvironment6 min read
Jun 20, 2022The Thighs of the Apocalypse — Nicole Sallak AndersonI stood at the bottom of the stairs, another load from the car ready to be carried up three flights. I’d stopped counting how many times I’d been up the stairs already — there were still several more loads in the car. It’s amazing how much I was able to…Climate Collapse7 min readClimate Collapse7 min read
May 29, 2022Starting From Scratch — Nicole Sallak AndersonAfter two years of tending the land post-fire, we’re able to move forward with the second half of our plan-purchase a condo in Chicago near our families. I’ve written before about wanting to be closer to our elders as they age. Covid-19 has taught me that these days are precious…Recycled Furniture13 min readRecycled Furniture13 min read
May 5, 2022Asking the Bees — Nicole Sallak AndersonIt was a perfect day today to apply a “501 horn silica” biodynamic preparation on the land. A medicine best taken with sunrise; it nourishes the flowers as well as the bees. Since becoming a bee guardian over a decade ago, I’ve applied this prep every spring as a means…Wildfires7 min readWildfires7 min read
Mar 31, 2022The Monopoly Money Era — Are We Too Immature for Capitalism? — Nicole Sallak AndersonIt was love at first sight when I got out of the realtor’s car and saw the building, a beautiful six-flat built before cars and cheap, industrial, profit driven architecture-only a block from Lake Michigan. …Real Estate9 min readReal Estate9 min read