Today I turned 40 years old with a bottle of champagne and my family on a summit overlooking the North Cascades. We kicked off the weekend on the Pacific Crest Trail at Harts Pass near Canada. The PCT was the first “big girl” trail I hiked after moving to Seattle in 2013. Spending time in complete silence (for hours) was a first for me. It truly changed my life. When I finally grew comfortable paying attention without immediately reacting, I was really able to listen and see life around me in a way I never had before. If someone asks what really led to the end of my career, it was an internal shift I have a hard time describing but ultimately resembles self-awareness, and it probably began on the PCT. I met several through hikers this weekend who started at the Mexico border and were almost done. I asked what they planned to do after such an accomplishment. “Go home and get back to work,” most said. At first it seems anticlimactic but I remember Trent Peterson, a young man whose story I told years ago, as he rode wild mustangs along the PCT. He used to say that the PCT is just a trail, what matters is that we slow down, pay attention and see clearly whatever path we’re on. I looked up a quote from that report to share with you all.
“This isn't to advocate for the PCT. The PCT is just a trail. Get out of the rat race and slow down. Pay attention to the little things, not just the big things, because it's the whole picture we need to be aware of," he said.
I never travel without hard-boiled eggs from our farm. I don’t care how many people stare at me. And yes, I also bring my own sea salt. I went to Colorado last weekend for my friend’s wedding and brought a whole lunchbox on the airplane. Some women bring a makeup bag. I bring sauerkraut.
I also never travel without the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil from Green Pasture. It comes in capsules that pack easily in your suitcase. It helps fill in the vitamin and omega 3 gap when I’m eating on the road. I also credit it with keeping my immune system strong. You get 10% off with promo code “ALISON” at checkout. I take the gel normally but capsules are great for those who don’t like the taste or are traveling a lot. https://greenpasture.org/
Years ago I envisioned a life without daily poop patrol. I figured my kids would be out of diapers and I could say goodbye to the stink. I was wrong! Managing poop is a a big part of farming. It takes some learning but if you do it well, you can use it to your advantage.
One item I will never grow out of is the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil from Green Pasture which keeps my bones strong for poop scooping and also saved my teeth from chronic cavities years ago. It’s packed with vitamins A,D & K along with omega 3s. You get 10% off at checkout with promo code “ALISON”. https://greenpasture.org/
What do you think? Does Hei Hei have repressed anger towards our other rooster, energizing his need to dominate us? Does he need a therapist? Or a crockpot?
Did you know that omega 3 fatty acids like DHA & EPA protect the brain from inflammation and help foster a healthy nervous system? Maybe Hei Hei needs some? I get a good daily dose from the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil from Green Pasture. Use promo code “ALISON” for 10% off at check out.
https://greenpasture.org/
YouTube Is F*ing Over Creators. Again. - YouTube
Google just had its first negative cash flow quarter due to massive AI spending - Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/google/2026/07/google-just-had-its-first-negative-cash-flow-quarter-ever-due-to-massive-ai-spending/
