Do you know what motivates you? By Sandra Dee Owens Through a series of mental growth spurts, I discovered that adventure is highly motivating for me while telling myself I “should” do something—is not. Below is the true story of one of those mental growth spurts. In the days and weeks leading to my 50th…

By Sandra Dee Owens For years I told myself (and anyone listening), that I was going to begin a personal challenge of skiing the length of Vermont on the Catamount Trail—but I never did. Years before, while backcountry skiing with a group of girlfriends, one gal recounted skiing the entire length of this Nordic ski…

By Sandra Dee Owens I made a “Funology” calendar. This calendar has no days or months in it. It has 365 seasons. Living by this calendar, I wake up each morning with anticipation, and think, ‘What season is it today?” then grab the appropriate clothing, tools, and toys for that season—and go outside to work…

By Sandra Dee Owens Before we begin, let me introduce my new column. My name is Sandra Dee Owens and I am a custom engagement and wedding ring designer, in the lower Champlain Valley town of Benson. Though interested in writing since the second grade, life took other directions until 10 years ago, when I…