I like to write essays which report and reflect on connections: Connections among humans, nature, and spirit. Connections among people and ideas.

One of my favorite themes is how to live balancing—balancing inside and out, past and future, quick and slow—what Hopi people and Daoism call the Middle Way.

For some samples of this, please enjoy the essays:

• "Everything Moves"
• "Portrait of a Cruiser: Gvogozdev Eugueni"
• "Electric Cars Won't Make the World a Better Place"

You can also see a selected list of my Publications and Grants.

​"In Praise of Empty Space" now published in
The Ranger's Almanac!
This interesting journal is full of lively poetry, field reports, and stories from beautiful parks all over the U.S. It is now available for $25 at The Ranger's Almanac website. Unfortunately, it is currently being sold only through Amazon.

I am exploring other possibilities and will let you know on this website as they become available.

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​"In Praise of Empty Space" is the prize-winning essay that resulted from a wonderful two weeks I spent with artist Rachel Wilson as
Artists-in-Residence at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
in Northern Arizona.
Continuing thanks to the excellent managers and rangers at Hubbell who made this powerful experience possible.

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The Southern Ocean © Eef Willems  

Sailing Between Sea and Sky: What I Learned from the Ocean about Life on Earth was a Finalist in the 2025 Wandering Aengus & Trail to Table Book Awards!
Editors called Finalist manuscripts "more than worthy of publication."
In particular, they admired my memoir Sailing Between Sea and Sky for its
​"meticulous research" and its rich subject.

For a glimpse of the tone and style of Sailing Between and Sky, please enjoy the excerpt on this website from my essay "Everything Moves"

   Calm waters off Greenland © Phyllis Thompson

​Please respect the creative work of artists.
Give credit for any words or images from this site that you share.
© 2017 • Phyllis L. Thompson