Welcome to Mark's site of sharing and reflection!

For those who may have stumbled on this site by accident, a bit about me. I was born on the summer solstice in 1985 in a little house near Renville, Minnesota, nestled in between gnarled oaks and ancient gneiss outcrops in the Minnesota River valley. As you will soon discover if you visit my pages, I have a deep, almost spiritual love for nature and all things natural. I enjoy singing folk songs around bonfires, soaking in hot springs, climbing trees, backpacking, standing outside in thunderstorms, growing vegetables and flowers, stargazing, train-riding and train-watching, and photography. I have little tolerance for small talk and find it hard to form friendships with those who keep their true selves hidden. At the moment, I am working to get started on a possible career in biological hydrogen production (think green, living solar panels), which at this stage means working toward a Ph.D. in biological engineering at Oregon State University.

I created this site to keep friends and family updated as to my whereabouts and adventures. I update the blog about once a week (or once a month sometimes--sorry!), and I occasionally add new photo essays. The Weather page displays current and historical weather data from my weather station, though it may go out-of-date during periods when I am long away from my computer. The Fun section should grow with time - look for links that will make you laugh, though some may require a broadband connection.

As I work on this site, I expect to spend less time updating Facebook, sending e-mail updates, etc. - so I urge any who are interested in my goings-on to check back occasionally. To all who have touched and blessed my life in some way, and therefore to whom I have sent links to this site, may your paths carry you onward and upward through many joyful experiences and new awakenings, until we meet again face to face.

~Markael Luterra