Retro Farmhouse

10/06/2026

Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was one of America’s most influential poets and a defining voice of nineteenth century literature. Born in West Hills, New York, he worked as a printer, journalist, teacher and editor before devoting himself to poetry. His revolutionary collection Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855, broke away from traditional poetic forms and celebrated individuality, nature, the human body, love, freedom and the shared experience of ordinary people.

Whitman’s poetry was deeply personal yet universal. He believed that poetry could connect the individual soul with humanity and the natural world. During the American Civil War, he served as a volunteer nurse in military hospitals, an experience that profoundly influenced his later writing.

Often called the father of free verse in America, Whitman influenced generations of poets and writers around the world. His work continues to be remembered for its openness, compassion and celebration of human consciousness.

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

A few seconds of patience on the road can mean life for the animal in front of us.

When a deer, fox, turtle, bird, or other animal crosses the road, slowing down may feel like a small act. For that animal, it can be the difference between safely reaching food, water, shelter, nesting areas, or young waiting nearby.

Roads often cut through the same habitats that animals have traveled for generations. Seasonal movement, breeding cycles, migration, and changing weather can all bring wildlife closer to traffic. Turtles, for example, may cross roads to reach nesting sites or wetlands, while deer and smaller mammals often move at dawn, dusk, or during times of feeding and sheltering.

Across many Indigenous cultures, animals are understood as relatives, teachers, and part of the living systems that sustain communities. While teachings differ from Nation to Nation, a common thread is the importance of paying attention to the relationships between people, land, water, and other beings.

Driving with care is one practical way to honor those relationships. Slowing down in wildlife areas, watching road shoulders, avoiding distractions, and giving animals room to pass can reduce harm. If it is safe to do so, extra caution near wetlands, forests, fields, and rural roads can make a real difference.

We share these homelands with countless lives moving through their own daily journeys. What wildlife crossings have you noticed in your area, and how do you stay mindful on the road?

01/04/2026

Making flannel and tee shirt mash ups this week

12/01/2025

Making little dress hanging dish towels this week for lady queen of peace craft show this Saturday in west Milford also available for local delivery 15$