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A Writer's Reflections on Nature and Culture
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exploration

Sagebrush near Sisters, Oregon

Sagebrush: Species of the Week

By Elizabeth Enslin on July 22, 2009

One of the things I like about writing regular posts on various species is that it challenges my own tendency to overlook or take for granted species that are common, mundane, or unpopular. Last week, I had the good fortune to take a brief vacation in the high desert country of Central Oregon. I decided it was time to learn more about a plant I see everywhere throughout the Great Basin but know little about: Artemesia tridentata, or sagebrush.

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Posted in Species of the Week, Wild Plants | Tagged desert, exploration, nature, photography, plants | 4 Responses

Magnolias of Hoyt Arboretum

By Elizabeth Enslin on May 4, 2009

In March, I had a craving for trilliums that took me to Tryon Creek State Park.  In April, I wanted to stick my nose into magnolia blossoms, so Django (my standard poodle) and I headed over to Hoyt Arboretum. A brisk uphill walk (or a quick Max ride) from downtown Portland, Hoyt arboretum covers 187  

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Posted in City Parks | Tagged exploration, nature, photography | 4 Responses

Floating

By Elizabeth Enslin on April 13, 2009

Based on a recent trip I got dragged into, this image came immediately to mind when I considered the random words given for NaPoWriMo at Read Write Poem.  It also vaguely fits the “hobby” prompt at Poetic Asides, although it’s not my hobby. ___________________________ Floating Impugned by eco-warriors the Star Princess – a floating hotel  

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Posted in NaPoWriMo | Tagged critique, ecology, exploration, oceans, wordplay | 3 Responses

Sammy never ran off with my gear.

Protected: Packing

By Elizabeth Enslin on April 8, 2009

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

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Posted in NaPoWriMo | Tagged backpacking, exploration, nature, passion, wordplay | 7 Responses

Pale Portland feet in Santa Monica sand.

Protected: Riding on the 3

By Elizabeth Enslin on April 3, 2009

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

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Posted in NaPoWriMo | Tagged beauty, exploration, oceans | 2 Responses

Trilliums in the City

Trilliums in the City

By Elizabeth Enslin on March 30, 2009

I craved trilliums yesterday but didn’t have the energy to drive far.   And with 92,000 acres of green space in Portland, Oregon, I didn’t have to.  I drove ten minutes across town and entered 645 acres of trillium heaven in Tryon Creek State Park. A washed-out footbridge detoured me onto a horse trail, but I  

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Posted in Around the Northwest, Biodiversity, Explorations, Pacific Northwest travel, Wild Plants | Tagged beauty, exploration, photography, wild, wildflowers | 1 Response

Bald Eagle Speck

Eagles and Dogs

By Elizabeth Enslin on March 5, 2009

A sore throat, stuffy nose and cough inspire me to play with images instead of  words today.  Okay, there are some words, but not too many. Django and I headed out to the Sandy River Delta a few days ago.  We go there at least once a week when we’re in Portland and have seen  

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Posted in Explorations, Wildlife Encounters | Tagged bald eagles, condors, exploration, Lewis and Clark, standard poodles | Leave a response

Saguaro in Superstition Mountains

Superstitions, Saguaro, and Bajadas

By Elizabeth Enslin on February 4, 2009

A trip to Prescott College for a colloquium (and to visit my son) breaks my writing routine and has brought me into a drier, sunnier winter.  A 24 hour detour to the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix gave me a a taste of a desert spring.  It also fulfilled a long-held fantasy of walking among the  

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Posted in Explorations, Southwest Travel, Travel | Tagged beauty, cactus, desert, exploration, Prescott College | Leave a response

To Blog or Not

To Blog or Not

By Elizabeth Enslin on January 2, 2009

After several weeks of dabbling here, I’m still torn over the twenty-first century quandary: to blog or not? “Why I Blog,” an essay by Andrew Sullivan, senior editor of Atlantic Monthly, has helped put the practice in perspective and inspired me to continue exploring. Sullivan considers historical cousins to the weblog: the ship’s log, diary  

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Posted in Writing | Tagged blogging, creative nonfiction, exploration, Montaigne, rhythm | Leave a response

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About Elizabeth Enslin

A writer based in Oregon, I look for inspiration and distractions in nature. An anthropologist, I ponder the places where nature and culture meet. A kitchen gardener, I promote biodiversity and learn from farming traditions around the world. A recovering academic, I try to do all with compassion and humor.

Find out more about me here, or at elizabethenslin.com.

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Recent Comments

  • Elderberry Bloom 
    • suzi smith: our flowers are fading in the uk… i love the elder, especially the older trees. An elder orchard...
    • Mike B.: You’ve got a great site! Unfortunately, we have tons of RED elderberry which are poisonous- but the...
    • Patricia J. O'Brien: I feel like I took a stroll through your woods and learned something new and wondrous. Thank...
  • When Life Gives You Weeds…Eat ‘Em 
    • Jennifer (ponderosa): You have clover among your miner’s lettuce. Can people eat clover? My guinea pigs love...
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