A woman free to be herself first is a force of nature. At 62, I’m still finding out what that actually means. Which, as it goes, is its own kind of adventure.

The House of First Light is my real life home. It’s where I write about learning to work with my hands, making my visions into something real, and deciding to head somewhere new, at an age when I assumed I’d have reached my destination.

My inner life is animist, powerful, and guiding me creatively. It informs the way I see everything: the materials I choose, the voices I hear, the care I give to small things, and my openness to inspiration.

This house welcomes sisters (and maybe respectful others) who are also sensing the pull to become a force of Nature, in whatever form that takes for them. Here we can feel dirt underfoot, first light on our faces, and the relief of not needing to behave or have it all sorted out.

Welcome. My name is Jo and I hope you’ll stay for a while.