Wild Geese
Mary Oliver
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
Abby discovered her love for the outdoors through her high school Outing Club, an experience that set the foundation for years of hiking, backpacking, and time spent outside. In college, she dove deeper into those interests and eventually added rock climbing, skiing, camping, and just about anything that gets her into the woods.
For a long time, Abby followed the path she thought she was expected to take—complete with traditional milestones and neat timelines. Eventually, she realized that building her life around others’ expectations wasn’t sustainable. So she made a change.
She bought a van, lived on the road for a while, and started reshaping her idea of what a fulfilling life could look like. Eventually, out of that shift came Wild Geese Co., inspired by Abby’s search for an outdoor subscription box that felt genuine, useful, and aligned with her style. Nothing she found on the market matched the outdoorsy, independent energy she was looking for, so she created it herself.
Today, Abby enjoys connecting with Wild Geese Co. customers and curating practical, comfortable pieces that support people in getting outside.
When she’s not working on the next box, Abby can be found reading, trying new restaurants around Portland, drinking too many oatmilk lattes, lifting, spending time with friends, or hanging out with her partner, her two dogs (Gryff and Kingsley), her two cats (Bella and Bergeron), and her four chickens.
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Rachael has always been drawn to the outdoors. Growing up playing sports and chasing adventure, she earned a college scholarship and graduated at the top of her class. She went on to study archaeology, a path that took her from the jungles of Belize working on the Mayan pyramids to the Channel Islands, where long days in the field deepened her appreciation for history, resilience, and the wild places that shape us.
After college, hiking and camping became her favorite way to unplug, especially during a tough chapter that ultimately helped Rachael rediscover herself. Somewhere between trail miles and quiet mornings outside, she realized she wanted more from her work. She wanted more meaning, more joy, and a lot less of the soul-sucking corporate 9–5.
One spontaneous message to Abby (and Brendoo) later, and here we are. A women owned business built on the belief that getting outside makes life better, fuller, and way more fun. What started as a desire to work for something fulfilling quickly turned into creating something she couldn’t stop thinking about. Her favorite part of this crazy little business is connecting with their subscribers and building an amazing community.
Now, Rachael lives on the road in a trailer with her fiancé, their two dogs (Wesley & Piper), and an impressive commitment to matcha lattes. When she's not customizing boxes for Wild Geese Co., find her at a concert or on a trail. Montana will always be home, but she’s currently based in Colorado—planning a wedding, chasing mountain air, and helping others find a little more adventure through every box.
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