A winter storm turns a Monday upside down — narrowed roads, canceled plans, and an unexpected quiet that only snow can bring.

This episode is part reflection on the meaningful space between intention and outcome, and part short story involving a hawk in the woods she went searching for.

In Curveballs & Snowballs, Samantha reflects on presence over productivity, inspired by slower mornings, birding on a cold December day, and Japanese planner systems.

A reminder that life’s detours aren’t interruptions, but invitations to pause, listen, and let the moment be enough. And to always leave a little space in the margin.

Have you ever started a big project—decluttering your home, planting a garden for wildlife—and hit a wall halfway through? The initial burst of energy fizzles, and suddenly momentum feels impossible.

Decluttering and rewilding share something in common: both ask us to overhaul something. Minimalism isn’t about stark white walls and one coffee mug—it’s about keeping what truly serves you and letting go of the rest. Planting for pollinators isn’t about transforming your yard into a prairie overnight—it’s about noticing what supports life and planting with intention.

In this episode we’ll talk about these 3 core themes:

* Noticing what matters

* Letting go of what doesn’t

* And building a life — and a garden — that feels like it actually serves a purpose

A cleared drawer can ripple into a calmer room. One tiny native plant can spark curiosity that spreads across the season. Noticing what matters, letting go of what doesn’t, and tending your space with care—that’s where real momentum starts.

Start small. Pause. Notice. And trust that these tiny, thoughtful choices are building a life—and a landscape—you’ll be grateful for tomorrow.

Ruby-throated hummingbird sound courtesy of:Patrick Turgeon, XC139834. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/139834.

LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0

This week, Samantha reflects on the surprising wisdom hidden in the chaotic, mesmerizing murmations of European starlings. Just like these birds move through the sky without a set path — tightening, expanding, shifting in response to unseen forces — our lives often unfold in the same swirling, unpredictable way.

Between winter heaviness, endless notification fatigue, and the emotional load of parenting (hello, SSAT season), the days can feel messy and directionless. But starlings return to two reliable anchor points every day: dawn and dusk, departure and roost. Samantha explores how we can find our own anchors — the routines, rituals, and moments that keep us grounded when life feels overwhelming.

Along the way, she shares the unexpected beauty of a lone starling in her yard, the history of how these birds arrived in America, and why looking up at the sky has always helped humans find their way.

Listen if you’re craving:Calm in chaos • winter grounding • sky medicine • nature as metaphor • a deep breath

Audio Credits:Common Starling call courtesy of: Sonothèque ADVL, XC934628. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/934628.

License: Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication 1.0