A visual parable from the seashore for these times My favorite place in the world is the Coast. This week I was blessed to be able to go there to work, find quiet, and walk on the beach. The morning after my arrival, the tide was the lowest of the week and I was looking forward to a walk in-between rain showers. A walk on the beach is where I feel free to pour out my heart, listen to God and sing into the wind with the crashing waves playing the music. Walking, I was challenged to shake off the weight of the world and all the unrest. Sadness had crept in and I was feeling discouraged. I came ..read more

Entering the New & Unknown Every time I make a new calendar page, I’m reminded that each new day, week, and month are to be lived moment by moment. These moments are often filled with surprises and feelings that cannot be described in words. This is one reason I make art. Georgia O’Keefe said it well when she said: “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” With all the New and Unknown these days, I appreciate the challenge, posed by Bernice Hopper, in our Living Your Word of the Year Facebook group for May. For each d ..read more

The Power of Pausing to Bring Peace It has been said of the time we are in, and I agree, that we are all in the same storm, but not in the same boat. It is a storm none of us have faced before. Our polarization only adds to the problems, causing the divide to widen. Fear and faith struggle for control, and we choose. Our experiences are different and are expressed in different ways. The right answer may be different for different people in different places and at different times. What to do? This quote from the book Daily Celtic Prayer describes my current desire: “Leave me alone with God ..read more

Celebrating each day... Even if I can't remember what day it is As I was making my monthly calendar page, I was reminded how each day and how we live it is still important. In our Living Your Word of the Year facebook group, Bernice put out a challenge that seems just right for this month. As usual, I’m adjusting it to my own liking, and am finding comfort in the simplicity and the daily exercise of looking back on the day, and responding with a simple symbol, drawing or words. I’ve taken a little blog break the past few weeks, in order to reflect in quiet as I begin to enter a new decade ..read more

Christ is risen indeed! “Sound a trumpet through all the earth. Our Morning Star is alive! Risen in splendour, He is among us; the darkness is driven back. We, His people, join in the dance of all creation.” from Celtic Daily Prayer p. 270 Today as I took some time to consider the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, I picked up a book that reminded me of the treasure it holds inside: Celtic Daily Prayer, Prayers & Readings from the Northumbria Community. The words, through the Spirit infused sweet messages into my soul, which is much needed right now. We have a house full ..read more

What on Earth is going on? Quarantine & Holy Days significance Here we are, currently in worldwide quarantine during this Holy week. Someone on Facebook posted that maybe Someone was sending us to our room to think about what we’ve done. It seems like there are too many things happening together to be just coincidence. What does it all mean? I’ve been wondering… Passover and Good Friday Passover, April 8-16, 2020 This year Jewish Passover is different. It involves a quarantine of people staying in their homes for safety. As far as I know, that hasn’t hap ..read more

Having Peace & Purposeful Perception “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusted in Thee.” ~ Isaiah 26:3 KJV That verse hangs on the wall directly across from my bed. The picture (not shown due to copyright) is an original illumination, given to us as a wedding gift over 40 years ago. At the most difficult of times, I would look and say that verse over and over until it sunk into my heart. The amplified classic version gives more insight into what that means: Isaiah 26:3, saying of God: You will guard him and keep him in perfe ..read more

Our Words Carry Power More than ever I’m noticing the power of words during these unprecedented times where we are hunkering down at home, but connecting online. Hearing and seeing stories of inspiration are uplifting, andI believe in the power of blessing that can actually shift the atmosphere from fear to hope. I was one of those people who didn’t run out to shop and found the toilet paper was totally gone, but what I found at the store were really helpful people. It is amazing how kindness transforms the atmosphere and brings peace and hope. I had a number of great and grateful con ..read more

Happy St. Patrick's Day! These are strange times with a global quarantine to fight the corona virus and the shut down of so many events and places.  Another strange unseasonable thing – here in the Pacific Northwest we are receiving snow on the day that was scheduled to be the annual St. Patricks Day parade. This year is certainly different! I am moved by a video I saw of  the Italians making music together, each on their own balconies in the midst of quarantine, celebrating the human spirit and connections we have with one another. God bless you Italians and us all with health, peace ..read more

The Story & Relevant Timing of Keys to Drawing Celtic Knots & Illumination Course Obviously I planned the Keys to drawing Celtic Knots & Illumination course to be offered as we Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. What I didn’t expect is for it to coincide with the pandemic of the corona virus, limiting our in-person interactions and activities. An online course makes sense and can give some personal interaction around some common ground. If you’re like me, it helps the stress level to do something creative and rhythmic with my hands, and the spiritual encouragement helps keep my ..read more