THE JOLT NEWS ORGANIZATION, A WASHINGTON NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Why don’t ferns have flowers? Because they evolved long before flowers did. (These are in the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, not far from here.)

In his book Inside Plants, A Gardeners’ Guide to Plant Anatomy and Physiology, local author Gary A. Ritchie, Ph.D., begins at the beginning. The earth, he notes, is estimated to be 4.54 … more

By Jill Severn | 1/14/22

Kathleen Anderson writes The Sage Connection in The JOLT.

Low-Vision Support Group met for the first time since 2019

I stopped by the Olympia Senior Center on Monday to attend the first Low-Vision Support Group meeting since 2019. Facilitated by Resource Advocate Program Manager, Martha Worcester, this group met … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 1/12/22

How to make next Monday a Day On, not a Day Off

Greetings! First, a bit of an explanation. When I initially agreed to write this column, I intended it to be similar to a column that I ghost-wrote for The Dallas Morning News, featuring … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 1/11/22

What is the purpose of life?

Dear Lexis, What is the purpose of life? Thanks, ~ Curious in Lacey Dear Curious in Lacey, This is a challenging question, but one … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 1/10/22 | 2 comments

Astronomy for gardeners

Once, ages ago, I was a guest on a radio talk show in Vancouver, B. C., and a caller asked if he could grow tomatoes on his apartment balcony. I asked him what direction his balcony faced. He … more

By Jill Severn | 1/7/22

Alone on a mountain, immersed in a crowd

Please indulge me as I present a most unusual view of Thurston County. Shown in the photo, it's a view from 40 miles away, about 2,500 feet high on a mountain in the Olympics. I was there in … more

By Mark Woytowich | 1/5/22 | 2 comments

99 years wasn't enough. I wanted at least 100.

I really liked Betty White. I don’t usually write about celebrities. The Paris Hiltons and Kardashians of this world bore me stiff. Million-dollar weddings in castles and cathedrals are too … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 1/5/22

It's National Mentoring Month everywhere -- and especially in Thurston County

Happy New Year! Recently, I have seen several posts from friends suggesting that setting resolutions may be a negative action and that they prefer to choose a more positive response to the new year. … more

By Mary Beth Harrington | 1/4/22

Starting fresh in the new year

Dear Readers, My resiliency has really been put to the test this year.So many unanticipated things have happened.It’s been really hard to deal with, especially with a new baby. I want so … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 1/3/22

A month for thinking

January is a month for thinking rather than doing. And Mirabel Osler’s book, A Gentle Plea for Chaos, has me thinking about surprising things. For instance, who knew there is a … more

By Jill Severn | 12/31/21

What I plan to do with my lottery millions next year

I generally don’t do New Year’s Resolutions. Gave those up years ago. That being said, lately I have become a fan of a television program called My Lottery Dream Home on the HGTV … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 12/29/21 | 2 comments

A word most nonprofits want banished

Happy Holidays. I hope you are safe and warm. I know the snow is not pleasant for everyone, but I have to say I was delighted to have a real white Christmas. I have only experienced this once … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 12/28/21

Post-Christmas blues? Here's what to do!

Dear Lexis, After our family Christmas celebrations, I find myself feeling low. I’ve always loved Christmas, but this year it just seemed like there wasn’t enough time. What kinds of … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 12/27/21

Dreaming of sweet peas

This week I escaped from worry about omicron by dreaming about sweet peas. It’s been a very helpful strategy for seeing beyond gray cold skies, too. Sweet peas, in case you’ve … more

By Jill Severn | 12/24/21 | 1 comment

It’s about the time, now.

I’ve been receiving Grand Magazine, free, online for the past few years. It’s filled with interesting articles about intergenerational activities, problems, and solutions. In the … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 12/22/21

How to deal with tragedies

Tragedy is always a sorrowful event, but even more heartbreaking when it occurs so close to the holidays. Recently, we have seen the devastation from tornadoes in the Midwest, the strongest … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 12/21/21

Did you ever have to make up your mind?

Dear Lexis, I’m in my first year of college and I don’t know what major I should work toward. There are a lot of interesting things, but I feel that choosing one innately means … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 12/20/21

Gifts for gardeners

I know I’m a bit late with suggestions for holiday gifts for gardeners, but then, aren’t most of us running late on one thing or another this time of year? And anyway, some of my … more

By Jill Severn | 12/17/21

This is a MERLIN LCD magnifier of the type contributed to the Olympia Host Lions Club recently.

Much to be grateful for

Thank You … Christmas is only a week and a half away so I’ve been thinking about all the things I have to be grateful for this past year. First of all, I am grateful to God, … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 12/15/21

On Imposter Syndrome

Dear Lexis, I've been working toward building a career as a public speaker, but as I get closer to success, I can't help but feel like a fraud. Who am I to be teaching people when I'm still … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 12/14/21