Today begins the 2013 WordCount blogathon. I participated and finished for the first time last year. It was a challenging and exciting experience that connected me with many other writers, particularly some who do it for a living, and helped launch my freelance writing career.

This year one of my goals is to practice science writing. Watch for a new post on the popular bizarre facts theme. I also hope to line up informative interviews with scientists and geeks.

This will be an extremely busy month. From June 4 to 8 I will attend my first MagNet, Canada’s national magazine industry conference. June 14 to 16, Danny and I will attend the Ontario Handspinning Seminar. June 21 to 24 we will go open the family cottage so I can drive my annual route for the international Breeding Bird Survey. The time will be jammed with things I am passionate about: writing, fibre and nature.

That means some of the daily posts will have to be pre-written for days when I will not have time or internet access. On the other hand, expect to see reports on my adventures, bound to be exciting. I hope to experiment with posts from my new Android phone, pencasts from my Livescribe Smartpen, and video posts.

Having forecast the blogathon of my dreams, I admit I will be happy just to get through the month and post every day. Bear with me!

This year registration for the blogathon required us to assign our blogs to categories. This is not particularly relevant to readers, but I want to explain how I chose mine. There was no category for science or nature, so I went with travel.

Travel has to do with sense of place, an important concept here at Speed River Journal. Whether you live in a high rise or a log cabin off the grid, you are linked inextricably with the landscape, its texture, air and water that flow around, and its spirit or personality. When we talk about people who are strong, confident and responsible, we often call them grounded. In the age of climate change, we need to consider more carefully our relationship to the landscape, whether we are staying in one place or passing through.

The Speed River, like all streams, is a traveller. It is a metaphor for the pilgrimage of life that begins with rain and ends in the sea.

I hope you enjoy walking alongside me in the journey of this month.