If there’s any question that our house is a “peace” house, it’s beyond doubt now that we completed our latest home project: a sea glass peace sign between our curb and sidewalk. The beautiful symbol is one of the most recognizable on earth. But do you know what those three lines in a circle really mean or where they came from?

Gas prices... Scary weather... Head-butt politics in the U.S… War across the seas... And, ugh, Covid’s still around. Makes you want to scream. Or cry. Or drink. Right? Wrong! The BEST antidote to all the sh#% around us is JOY. With our longest day upon us, let’s celebrate the Summer Solstice with an easy 10-minute ritual to find our own light and joy!

When Donna Falk’s 8th grade science class saw my recent butterfly blog, they had even more questions. Well, of course they did, because she’s a great teacher! So my latest blog adds more cool facts about my favorite Nymphalidae. (Including the “caterpillar soup” inside their chrysalis!)

When I caught sight of my first monarch yesterday, my silly heart fluttered faster than her beautiful wings (which you’ll see is pretty quick!) And so it begins. My wonderful summer ritual of protecting caterpillars so they can form their chrysalises and emerge as the new generation of monarchs. To kick off butterfly season, here’s a fun Q&A about these amazing members of the Nymphalidae family!

No, it’s not a new kind of stride or weird X Games challenge. Plalking is the trendy Swedish import of picking up litter while you walk. Garbage can be downright dangerous to animals and plants in the wild. So turning your hike into a plalk not only ups your exercise quotient, it also helps protect the natural world we love. Read more in my latest blog.

After the plaster came crashing from my bedroom ceiling, Peace Pilgrim’s wisdom helped me clear the clutter in my room and my brain. Long before Marie Kondo told us to ditch things that don’t “spark joy,” Peace Pilgrim lived a life of simplicity, walking across the country with only the clothes on her back to promote peace. As I dealt with my plaster disaster, her words helped make me more present, more peaceful, more loving.

As the world whirs around us with conflict, climate change, and seemingly endless crises, every day brings temptations to share negative energy. But on this Earth Day 2022, let’s plant seeds of inner peace and love to counteract the invasive spread of hate, violence, and apathy. Here’s how.

Want to grow your best garden ever, save money, and help the environment at the same time? Start backyard composting. Though not exactly magic, it sure seems like it when your carrot peels, old leaves and avocado pits turn into the richest soil you’ve ever seen! Learn the simple do’s and don’ts.

Who doesn’t love a sunset? Watching the center of our solar system descend in a blaze of color certainly stirs our senses. But this display is only half of our galaxy’s remarkable show. Do yourself a favor and find a dark night sky to fill your soul! Beyond intangible feelings of wonder and peace, dark skies offer relief from the bombardment of artificial light that scientists now know disrupts sleep, increases stress, and adds to chronic disease.

Ephemeral may mean fleeting or short-lived, but when it comes to woodland wildflowers, it really should mean magical! By the time the tree canopy above fills with leaves, these native perennials have already produced their gorgeous flowers, dropped their seeds, then died back to spend the rest of their life cycles underground. Learn what to look for as these wondrous Spring treasures start to appear.

As we roll into spring and thoughts turn to warm-weather vacations, I’m thrilled to share my passion for the National Parks! Get a front row seat to humor and wide-eyed wonder!

I jumped ship on trying so hard to promote my books. SEO or “search engine optimization” hurt my brain and constantly seeking friends on social media made me feel lonelier. So, I’m finding my own ways to connect with my tribe: those looking for inner peace, time in nature, and greener living. Read my latest blog to see how things are working out.

Whether you’re a master climber or taking your first tentative steps on a trail, things can go from wonderful to horrible in a minute. But you can avoid many common hiking injuries and setbacks with a little knowledge and planning. See “5 Must-Knows for Hiking First Aid” for any outdoor adventure, large or small.

Cheers and gratitude (and happy birthday) to these wonderful human beings who each set my life in a new direction: my firstborn son, Ciarán Patrick Brennan, and my inspiring mentor, Peace Pilgrim.

Planning a family road trip? Take it from me, as beautiful as scenery might be, long hours of driving can make anyone cranky. Luckily, we had few outbursts on our 7,000-miles adventure to 20 national parks. What was our secret? How did we alleviate all-out rebellion? See my 10 top tips.

Human stories can launch liberty, link generations, and kindle love. But many fuel resentments and perpetuate conflict. And that’s why I think we need freedom from our ingrained narratives. As we celebrate 4th of July, how about sifting through our tales – personal and global – and releasing the ones that keep us locked in. That’s real independence!

After raising monarchs for years, I wonder if we’re like hungry caterpillars. Perhaps we’re reaching the limits of our gorging and we’re poised for metamorphosis? Read more in my latest blog at www.merrybrennan.com

I agree: a picture is worth a thousand words, But I also believe words can enrich an image, sort of like walnut crunch on a hot fudge sundae or rémoulade on crab cakes. I love flavoring my photos with brief thoughts, quotes, and inspirations. See my growing “Photoplay” collection.

Does the “big picture” on our planet ever make you suck in your breath… and not in a good way? Yet, every day brings me more hope, especially when I turn to nature. Beside the healing effects we get from nature, researchers are also leveraging the powers of flora and fauna to help remedy our impact on the planet. Read some promising solutions and ponder how we each can help our Earth.

What’s your favorite way to tap into what the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen calls "outdoorphins?" It’s old news that a walk in the woods is great exercise and can improve your heart health and weight. But did you know exposure to nature might also help fight a cold? Reduce stress? Help kids with ADHD? And maybe even prevent certain kinds of cancer? Read more for the latest findings.