The last week of October, I was in downtown Grand Rapids for two theatrical events. First, I finally saw Menopause: The Musical, and then I saw world music artist Loreena McKennitt. Menopause: The Musical I was staying in a hotel new to me and thought I might get lost on my way to the DeVos…
Nature
Cowboy Junkies and Less Than 24-Hours in Sarnia
In late September I was in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada for a little less than twenty-four hours. Sarnia is an easy drive for me, so when the band Cowboy Junkies announced they were going to appear at the Imperial Theatre in downtown Sarnia, I grabbed a ticket. Sarnia is on the US-Canada border, just across the…
All The Other Things I Did In New York City
Yes, I was in NYC to march in the 2023 Tartan Week Parade with BCR Fan Events. But – if you’re in New York – and you’ve only been there a few times before – you have to explore. You didn’t know I was in New York? Catch up on these posts: I flew out…
Lost Lake Writers Retreat
Having finished the first draft of a novel this summer, I promised myself my reward would be a weekend getaway. On a whim I searched for writer’s retreats in Michigan and found the Lost Lake Writers Retreat. It was the perfect way to nurture my writing soul. The Lost Lake Writers Retreat is presented annually…
Big Secret Goal Reveal: Backyard Landscaping
As I wrote back in June, I’m not a natural born gardener. I learned about gardening in my 30s and then got a 72-hour permaculture certificate through the Women’s Permaculture Guild in my 50s. Having just migrated into my 60s, this summer was the time to really start in earnest on applying permaculture to the…
One Drop of Rain
One drop of rain holds the cosmos. One drop of rain heralds change. One drop of rain refracts light into darkness. One simple action does make a difference. Something as seemingly trivial can be just enough to improve another’s day. Try authentically acknowledging the cashier at the drive through, at the grocery store, at the…
Escape To The Lake Near Grand Rapids, Michigan
I escaped to a small, private lake earlier this month. It was the first weekend that we -finally- had warm weather. I glamped in a 1970s camper surrounded by trees. I had a couple of campfires. I forgot to bring marshmallows. I admired the deep blue sky at night as the full moon rose….
Sach’a Munay Retreat Center in the Sacred Valley of Peru
I was in Peru for two weeks on a spiritual retreat with Ashera Sefarty of Luminosity Healing Arts, Daina Puodziunas of Awakened Potentials for Women, and a small group of awesome women. Our “home base” for that time was Sach’a Munay Retreat and Yoga Center in Arin. Sach’a Munay is translated as “love in the…