"Spring thaw mud season" was always a messy one, distinctive from other wet times of the year. With frost still in the ground, water from snowmelt pooled on the surface instead of being absorbed. This was great for refilling the ponds, but hard on the lawn, as the duck patrol set to work on creating a muck hole near the garden."

It's been "ducky weather" this week, as the ponds opened up again after the recent blizzard and there is mud just about everywhere. I love our ducks, but they sure can be messy. I don't recommend them for people who prefer neatly manicured yards.

The chickens are joining in the mess-making, too, hopping out of the run and excavating the garden beds. It's going to be time to move them to their larger seasonal run shortly, once temperatures are consistently a bit warmer.

I was reading an article this week about how muscle power (the ability to exert maximum force quickly) is a critical predictor of longevity and functional independence as we age. This ties in directly with maintaining our reflexes - how quickly we can respond to situations (like slipping in the mud or on the ice or with a missed step).

I've been seeing more people talking about lifting weights and heavy objects to help maintain muscle mass with age, but less about muscle power. It's important to establish routines that help improve both.

This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Move with intention. Mud, ice, and uneven ground are great reminders to slow down and stay aware of your footing. Good habits now help prevent injury later. (This applies to relationship building, too.)
• Build strength for real life. Carry heavy things, push, pull, jump, lift and pivot — everyday tasks are opportunities to maintain both strength and quick response.
• Practice balance and reaction. Simple things like standing on one foot, stepping carefully over obstacles, or changing direction quickly can help keep reflexes sharp. I use my rebounder daily, and take walks on uneven ground.
• Adapt to the season. Swap footwear, add traction, and adjust chores to match conditions instead of fighting them.
• Embrace the mess. Mud season may not be pretty, but it’s a sign the land is waking up and water is moving again. Sometimes our lives are like that, too. The biggest messes and challenges can lead to the biggest personal growth.

Resilience isn’t just about what we store. It’s how well we move, react, and adapt to the ground beneath our feet and changing conditions around us.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

This week's featured articles...

Our modern lives can take a toll with non-stop demands on our time and energy. Anxiety impacts roughly one in five people in the US, so I put together a guide featuring natural ways to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Note: this guide includes knitting and saber tooth tigers.

We have been in our current home for over 20 years now, and it still feels good, works well, and makes me happy to live in it. One of the big features that I like the most is the ICF Construction, and this article shares why.

I can't believe Easter is next weekend. This year is flying by at high speed. These chocolate truffles and cookie dough truffles are always a fun treat. If you need to prep some hard boiled eggs in a hurry, try using the Instant Pot.

More Yummies...

Speaking of life being busy, my friend Wardee at Traditional Cooking School has a free guide that will help you get started with sourdough baking, including creating your own starter, in time for Easter.

You can grab The Living Starter Method Sourdough Guide here.

The guide includes the Living Starter method, a no-knead sourdough artisan loaf recipe, and a fluffy sourdough pancake recipe.