March 31, 2020
Chapter 5 of Anne of Green Gables finds Marilla and Anne heading by buggy to Mrs. Spencer's, where Marilla hopes to settle the mix-up and find a way to send Anne back to Nova Scotia. Along the way, Anne shares her history up until that point, and let me tell you...I just wanted to hop into that buggy and turn it right back around to bring Anne back to Green Gables.
Chapter reading: 0:14 - 10:35
Reflections on the chapter: 10:37 - 13:31
For information about the virtual Perennials Book Club meeting on Wednesday, April 1, click here.
March 29, 2020
In Chapter 4 of Anne of Green Gables, Anne wakes up to a beautiful morning and leaves the depths of despair. But she's still sad at the prospect of leaving Green Gables, and chooses to stay inside rather than go out and explore, because she doesn't want to fall in love with the place and find it that much harder to leave.
Chapter reading: 0:13 - 11:44
Reflections on the chapter: 11:47 - 17:19
To join the free, live virtual book club meeting on April 1, from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. EST, sign up for the Perennials Book Club mailing list to have information sent to you.
March 28, 2020
In Chapter 3 of Anne of Green Gables, Marilla is surprised, Matthew is quietly distressed, and Anne is deeply (and loudly) disappointed when she finds out that she was right: this was all too good to be true.
Chapter reading: 0:14 - 11:21
Reflections on the chapter: 11:24 - 15:37
To join the free, live virtual book club meeting on April 1, from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. EST, sign up for the Perennials Book Club mailing list to have information sent to you.
![Episode 42: Holding Space with Zoe Gillis]()
March 27, 2020
I'm so grateful for this conversation with Zoe Gillis, a licensed marriage and family therapist who in today's episode is helping us to get as grounded as we can and try to stay present during a time of great global anxiety.
There's a lot of uncertainty right now, and a lot that we can't control. Zoe reminds us to focus on what we can control; to meet our own feelings and suffering so that we can work with it and use what we learn to meet the suffering of others; and to look for the good where we can.
Zoe also talks about accessing the healing power of nature, acknowledging that looks very different for people depending on their circumstances.
I mention in the intro that we had technical difficulties with our call dropping a lot (hello uncertainty and lack of control!), but don't worry--I edited the episode so you won't be able to tell!
To find out more about today's episode, and to learn about Zoe, her immersive wilderness retreats, and her upcoming virtual events, visit the Shownotes page and follow Zoe on Instagram @zoegillismft
March 26, 2020
Join me in reading Chapter Two of Anne of Green Gables today, to find out what happens when shy, woman-fearing Matthew Cuthbert arrives at the Bright River train station to pick up an orphan boy, and instead finds a strange little red-haired, fast-talking, eternally optimistic girl named Anne.
Chapter reading: 0:15 - 24:38
Reflections on the chapter: 24:44 - 30:02
To join the free, live virtual book club meeting on April 1, from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. EST, sign up for the Perennials Book Club mailing list to have information sent to you.
I'd love to hear whether you're more of a listener like Matthew, or a talker like Anne; whether you ever anthropomorphized objects as a child like Anne does (I know I did!); and of course, the eternal question: "'Which would you rather be if you had the choice—divinely beautiful or dazzlingly clever or angelically good?'”
![Perennials Book Club: Chapter One, Anne of Green Gables]()
March 25, 2020
During this difficult and strange time of social distancing amidst a pandemic, I wanted to offer some extra comfort and connection. So I decided to start a Perennials Podcast Book Club! Thanks to all who voted on Instagram and via e-mail for our first Book Club pick: Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery.
In addition to my typical conversation episodes, I’ll be sharing regular mini-episodes in which I’ll read a chapter of the book and then end with some thoughts on the chapter.
I’m also inviting you to join me for virtual weekly Book Club meetings to talk about the book. Anyone is welcome--feel free to invite a friend and pop in whenever you want, for however long you want.
I will post detailed information about joining the meeting on the Book Club page soon. You can sign up for a Book Club email list here to get updates on episodes and meetings, and access Anne of Green Gables free online if you want to read along with the text.
My reading of Chapter 1 runs from 3:12 - 18:07, and my thoughts about the chapter/topics for Book Club discussion runs from 18:09 - the end of the episode at 23:30
March 6, 2020
Today, I'm talking to Gillian Herbert, an avid hiker, rock climber and fourth year veterinary student. Gillian hiked the Appalachian Trail after high school graduation, which led her to reassess her plans for college and inspired her to study biology. As an undergrad, she got involved with the outdoors club and started rock climbing.
Gillian and I talk about how the AT helped her gain more confidence in herself and widen her ideas about what she's capable of. We also discussed how rock climbing helps her to get out of her head and work with fear in a new way.
To learn more about topics covered and references made in this episode, visit the Shownotes page.
