by Deryn | Sep 29, 2025 | LANDSCAPES OF LIFE, LEARNING JOURNEYS, Nature, Seasons of Life, Transitions
When I was a child, one of my favorite radio programs was called “The Answer Lies in the Soil.” It was run by the Natural Resources Board of Rhodesia, teaching farmers how to get the most out of their land. My grandfather, an agricultural extension officer, and my... 
by Deryn | Jul 29, 2025 | LANDSCAPES OF LIFE, LEARNING JOURNEYS, Real Life, Seasons of Life, TRANSFORMATION, Transitions, TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
The Parable of the Ginger Root “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” – Psalm 92:14 Old and wrinkled, ignored, unseen, Left to die – a “has-been,” Deemed no longer fit to cook, Discarded with a passing... 
by Deryn | Jan 27, 2025 | LANDSCAPES OF LIFE, LEARNING JOURNEYS, Real Life, Seasons of Life, TRANSFORMATION, Transitions, TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
Winter in the northern hemisphere has always seemed so dark to me. In view of current affairs, it seems that darkness has covered the world, so I thought I would explore what darkness really means. In a world that celebrates light, progress, and visibility, darkness... 
by Deryn | Nov 6, 2024 | LANDSCAPES OF LIFE, Nature, Real Life, Seasons of Life, Spiritual, TRANSFORMATION, Transitions
The apple tree has been a symbol in myths, literature, and spiritual lore from the earliest times. When I was a child, my father grew fruit trees, and each year, in season, he took plums and apples into town to sell at the grocery store. We would dance around... 
by Deryn | Oct 22, 2024 | LANDSCAPES OF LIFE, LEARNING JOURNEYS, Nature, Seasons of Life, TRANSFORMATION, Transitions, Travel
I have lived in cities most of my adult life. The older I get, the more I long for the peace and tranquility of the countryside. When I lived in Cape Town, my escape was to the beautiful vineyards of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Durbanville Hills. Living in...