Great for snow dogs, okay for squirrels, not so much for cats.

My human friend, Glenn and his family live on the eastern plains of Colorado with a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak and far off to the west.

The snowiest months in Colorado are:

• December - Often marks the beginning of the snow season with significant snowfall.

• January - Typically the snowiest month, with consistent winter storms.

• February - Continues the trend of heavy snowfall, especially in the mountains.

• March - Can bring substantial snow, particularly in late winter storms.

• April - Often sees spring snowstorms, contributing to total snowfall.

• November - Occasionally experiences early season snow, setting the stage for winter.

This winter season was anything but typical. The total amount of snow for 2025-2026 winter and spring seasons is very low. In fact, snowpack levels across Colorado are currently 37% of normal. Colorado's annual average snowf...

The other day I overheard my human friend Glenn, who by the way says, “How YOU Doin’?”chat with his friend (we’ll call him Earle) about the anxiety Earle has in these emotionally charged and frightening times. As they were talking Earle expressed that he ‘feels like he's holding his breath waiting for the other shoe to drop’.

From an enlightened squirrel’s perspective - that is NO WAY TO LIVE!

My heart ached when I heard that. Even knowing that Earle was struggling so much even after Glenn sat with him late into the night listening and asking questions that only Earle could answer.

• Can you relate to Earle and see what’s happening in the world?

• Can you feel where he’s at right now and do you share his perspective?

• If you could wouldn’t you want to help Earle and anyone else who feels the same?

How you can help.

Humans have great capacity for offering compassion to other humans. There are many stories shared in the forest about humans showing compassion for oth...

Isn’t it funny how nature doesn’t usually like picky eaters? Most animals, except for humans, usually go for the easier, nearby meal instead of the more delicious snack that takes a bit of effort to get. It makes perfect sense when survival is on the line; favorite foods often take a backseat to the more accessible, even if less tasty, options.

HUH!

But guess what? Some new research suggests that at least one species, the fabulous squirrel, is willing to put in the extra effort if it means getting a taste of their favorite dish. In a study recently published in the journal Animal Behavior, researchers at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, where my squirrel cousins bark with an accent, explained that wild gray squirrels will often ignore the food in front of them and climb to reach a highly favored alternative.

“This suggests that in natural decision-making scenarios, it may sometimes be beneficial for animals to wait or work harder for a better outcome,” explained study...

Squirrels' harmony with nature encourages you to connect with the natural world, find inner peace, and recognize everyone’s interconnectedness.

Have you ever noticed how squirrels often hang out with each other? We really show how important it is to be aware of your surroundings and work together. Just like we depend on our community, you can do best when you support each other. Building strong relationships takes empathy, understanding, compassion, and a lot of effort.

Squirrels teach that even small things, like sharing food or giving advice, can make your group stronger and happier. If you ever feel alone, squirrels are a great reminder to reach out and make connections that are good for everyone.



Watch out for that dog!


Using these lessons in your everyday lives can make your relationships better, both with people at home, your community and at work. Being aware of what others need helps you talk better and build trust. The squirrels remind you that being part of a community isn’t just...

Here are some traits of a resourceful squirrel:

• Agility: Our quick movements and knack for navigating tricky places remind us to stay agile and ready to react.

• Adaptable: We do well in different settings, showing how important it is to adjust to new situations.

• Resilience: We keep going strong even when faced with predators and tough weather, highlighting our ability to bounce back from challenges.

 

This shows how we’re clever and can change when needed, making the most of what we have. As opportunistic foragers, we grab whatever food we can find. Being adaptable is super important for managing resources because it lets us do well in different places. For instance, squirrels in the city have learned to use things like bird feeders and garbage bins for food. Ever see one of us munching on lettuce from a trash bin?

This shows how important it is to be flexible and creative when we’re looking for food. In our lives, be...

Squirrels embody abundance and prosperity by managing resources mindfully and appreciating what they have.

Let’s embrace the abundance that’s all around us by recognizing that all our lives are already rich with prosperity, even when it might not seem that way.

Look into my eyes, or at any squirrel you spot in the park or woods. You’ll see that true abundance isn’t about what we have, but how we use what we have.

Abundance comes in many forms.


It’s also time to really focus on sufficiency, not scarcity!

By making mindful choices about money or time, you can break free from the cycle of not having enough and, more importantly, develop a deeper sense of gratitude for what you already have, just like my squirrel family does. 

The way we do this is so simple, but it often gets lost on you because, well, humans tend to make things more complicated than they need to be. We know this because it’s what you learned and became accustomed to.

How squirrels do this and we hope you’ll do the same:

- Fi...

We understand that it’s easy to feel stuck in a loop of worry and uncertainty, especially when your mind is constantly racing with “what-ifs” and concerns about the future.

It’s quite amusing watching hamsters zoom around on those silly wheels! It’s like you all do this in your own heads. Very sad.

We’ve got a different approach for you. We didn't let fear stop us from preparing our food for the winter. What changes are you planning to make this spring?

We’re always excited to leap into the unknown, embracing the great wide open! Are you feeling ready to make a big move in your life?

Huxley in his younger & wilder days 

Embrace our fearless spirit! By letting go of fear and doubt, you’ll discover a world of new possibilities and experiences waiting for you.

These are some things you can do to embrace trust and surrender:

• Observe how squirrels navigate uncertainty with confidence.

• Recognize that fear and doubt can hinder personal growth.

• Practice letting

  ...

This is the first of many posts from Huxley, a member of the family Sciuridae, who lives a long and abundant life. You’ll see more ‘squirrel-isms’ in the weeks ahead. Huxley’s backstory is included at the bottom of each post. Comments and acorns are appreciated!

Squirrels symbolize mindfulness, reminding us to focus on the present moment and let go of anxiety and worry.

One of my favorite people in all the world said this:

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

― Mother Theresa

Have you ever noticed how some folks seem to dwell on their past mistakes endlessly? Maybe it’s someone you’re close to, like when they’re staring at their reflection?

Or what about those who worry about things that haven’t happened yet? They seem to carry their sadness into the future, pushing their troubles onto tomorrow.

GAAAAHHHHH!

Life can be tough, isn’t it? Have...

 

“Art therapy is a sanctuary where creativity becomes a powerful tool for self-expression and healing.” 
    -Unknown

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being.

In the psychology context, creative expression refers to the process of conveying thoughts, feelings, ideas, or insights through various forms of artistic and creative activities. This can include painting, writing, music, dance, sculpture, and other forms of art. Creative expression is recognized for its therapeutic benefits and its role in personal development and psychological well-being.

Creative expression is seen as a fundamental human process that transcends mere artistic ability or talent. It is a means of exploring one's identity, processing emotions, and communicating with others on a deeply personal level. psychologists study creative expression not only to understand the mechanisms behind creativit...

What's all the fuss about anyway?

With each passing year I'm more and more inclined to visit with my mom and sister (if she doesn't have plans) for Thanksgiving and then stay home during the December holidays. What's not to appreciate with a morning walk with the dogs, followed by breakfast, a nice toasty fire in the wood stove, good food in the oven, or Chinese take out (inside joke), holiday-themed movies, and of course, popcorn!

Over the years when I was raising two children with my first wife we would visit with her two sisters and their families throughout the year. Each sister hosted a holiday: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas with a little Hannukah sprinkled in for me. Meals were an extravaganza with all the trimmings depending upon the holiday.

Now that I think about it, we ALWAYS HAD BLACK OLIVES with every holiday meal. Was it a family tradition or was there something special about those fleshy orbs of fruit?

Botanically speaking, olives are technically fruits because t...