Gretchen
@offgridteacher.bsky.social
•Edu MA • Teach Plus Fellow Alum • Peace Corps 🇸🇳 in Agro-Forestry • Veteran Wife + Caregiver • Stay At Home Mom
I talk about education, running, nature, caregiving, California, cats, and health.
I talk about education, running, nature, caregiving, California, cats, and health.
Spotted during this morning’s run: Egret + a freshly chewed on tree trunk. Come out, come out wherever you are! A couple on the trail reported seeing the beaver 🦫 earlier this morning.
November 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Spotted during this morning’s run: Egret + a freshly chewed on tree trunk. Come out, come out wherever you are! A couple on the trail reported seeing the beaver 🦫 earlier this morning.
Mine just drank from my cup.
November 15, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Mine just drank from my cup.
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” -Nelson Mandela
November 11, 2025 at 11:05 PM
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” -Nelson Mandela
It was a prank a few weeks ago, but they put a lot of work into it.
November 11, 2025 at 5:57 AM
It was a prank a few weeks ago, but they put a lot of work into it.
Now that I’m back home, here’s how the race went yesterday: I PR’d, I had fun, and my ankle is swollen. #medalmonday
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Now that I’m back home, here’s how the race went yesterday: I PR’d, I had fun, and my ankle is swollen. #medalmonday
Today was my last pre-race run before my half marathon this weekend. Even though I was doing race pace intervals, I had to stop and say hello to the birds. It’s been a glorious day.
November 7, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Today was my last pre-race run before my half marathon this weekend. Even though I was doing race pace intervals, I had to stop and say hello to the birds. It’s been a glorious day.
I love this! Our two cats are rescued litter-mates who were sent to different foster cat moms; we adopted one, then learned about the rest of the litter and reunited the two. The rescue organization and foster cat moms were phenomenal and true cat lovers. These were our kittens getting reacquainted.
November 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
I love this! Our two cats are rescued litter-mates who were sent to different foster cat moms; we adopted one, then learned about the rest of the litter and reunited the two. The rescue organization and foster cat moms were phenomenal and true cat lovers. These were our kittens getting reacquainted.
Running through the suburbs. I’m thankful for my small glimpses of nature and for these beautiful birds.
October 28, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Running through the suburbs. I’m thankful for my small glimpses of nature and for these beautiful birds.
Fun, super hilly 5K around a vineyard today and I came in 1st in my age group. Tip: small races mean you get more of a chance to win. 😉
October 26, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Fun, super hilly 5K around a vineyard today and I came in 1st in my age group. Tip: small races mean you get more of a chance to win. 😉
I took my Little One to a local harvest festival, and her Waldorf school competed at the Scarecrow competition with this version of Smaug from The Hobbit that “breathed” smoke. Now I’m really sold.
October 19, 2025 at 2:18 AM
I took my Little One to a local harvest festival, and her Waldorf school competed at the Scarecrow competition with this version of Smaug from The Hobbit that “breathed” smoke. Now I’m really sold.
It’s been an absolutely glorious day in the hills, even though Winter is coming tomorrow.
October 12, 2025 at 9:18 PM
It’s been an absolutely glorious day in the hills, even though Winter is coming tomorrow.
Herons feel prehistoric to me. I’ve been enjoying seeing them come around again to the slough. I was lucky enough to see this one up close during one of my runs this week.
October 11, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Herons feel prehistoric to me. I’ve been enjoying seeing them come around again to the slough. I was lucky enough to see this one up close during one of my runs this week.
We’ve really been enjoying the book Little Witch Hazel. It is, of course, the book that the Waldorf school is basing their fall fundraiser around. It’s magical, sweet, and tells stories of the four seasons, caring for others, and nature.
October 10, 2025 at 3:38 AM
We’ve really been enjoying the book Little Witch Hazel. It is, of course, the book that the Waldorf school is basing their fall fundraiser around. It’s magical, sweet, and tells stories of the four seasons, caring for others, and nature.
It isn’t Christmas without our Battlestar Galactica ornaments.
October 7, 2025 at 9:18 PM
It isn’t Christmas without our Battlestar Galactica ornaments.
Bluesky, can you help me, is this animal dead or just napping? Spotted at the local pond at around 11:00 today.
October 7, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Bluesky, can you help me, is this animal dead or just napping? Spotted at the local pond at around 11:00 today.
I celebrated turning 45 by running 14 miles! I’ve learned enough in all of my years to be thankful for the body I have and to enjoy moving it in whatever capacity I am able to- but this felt good, especially considering that last year I couldn’t even run a mile.
October 5, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I celebrated turning 45 by running 14 miles! I’ve learned enough in all of my years to be thankful for the body I have and to enjoy moving it in whatever capacity I am able to- but this felt good, especially considering that last year I couldn’t even run a mile.
Today was my first time taking my child to the Children’s Renaissance Fair with her cousins - I used to take them when they were younger. Highlights included painting this castle, shield making, and the troll at the bridge. It really is magical to see a community come together to let kids be kids.
October 5, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Today was my first time taking my child to the Children’s Renaissance Fair with her cousins - I used to take them when they were younger. Highlights included painting this castle, shield making, and the troll at the bridge. It really is magical to see a community come together to let kids be kids.
I recently got this sweet book about Jane Goodall. I’m glad I read it to the Little One before she passed.
October 2, 2025 at 5:21 AM
I recently got this sweet book about Jane Goodall. I’m glad I read it to the Little One before she passed.
12 mile run today with a view of grazing goats along the way!
September 21, 2025 at 9:48 PM
12 mile run today with a view of grazing goats along the way!
I caught the toddler sneaking books into her crib again. This was after fishing out 6 others at the start of her nap. I approve of this “trouble”.
September 20, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I caught the toddler sneaking books into her crib again. This was after fishing out 6 others at the start of her nap. I approve of this “trouble”.
The new class stratification I didn’t see coming: restaurants are now setting aside reservations as perks for platinum card holders.
September 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The new class stratification I didn’t see coming: restaurants are now setting aside reservations as perks for platinum card holders.
I got my flu and Covid shots today at Costco. I had to write down “underlying conditions” on a form, but didn’t have to write *what* they were, and the pharmacist said having an immunocompromised spouse counts in his eyes.
September 9, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I got my flu and Covid shots today at Costco. I had to write down “underlying conditions” on a form, but didn’t have to write *what* they were, and the pharmacist said having an immunocompromised spouse counts in his eyes.
I’m trying to read during morning playtime more. Next level parenting.
September 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I’m trying to read during morning playtime more. Next level parenting.
Our Friday night:
September 6, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Our Friday night: