October is a month of fall festivals and breast cancer awareness. Yesterday, both came together when I attended the Big Foot Festival near my hometown of Sanford. I don’t know a lot about Big Foot, but I went to support my friend, Donna, who’d organized the event as a fund raiser for clean water efforts. … Continue reading Fall Tapestry
Author: conniesedona317
Southern Drawl
I’ve encountered reactions to my Southern accent on my journeys outside the Southeast. But I didn’t expect to when I traveled to Iona. In an international place, I assume there’ll be many accents so that none will stand out. That’s what I’d experienced on my trips to New York City --so many foreign tongues that … Continue reading Southern Drawl
Some of Our People
The last time I took Mama to see her brother, we passed a car pulled over by a state trooper, blue lights flashing. Mama focused on the loaded down Honda with the officer talking to the driver. “I hope that’s none of our people in that kind of trouble,” she said. Our people could have … Continue reading Some of Our People
Catch the Early Ferry
The winds on the western isles of Scotland are relentless. I viewed their impact on the Sound of Iona from the dining room of Seaview B & B, my accommodations in the village of Fionnphort. The owner, John, had previously been a fisherman and was expert at judging the wind and the sea. Knowing I … Continue reading Catch the Early Ferry
Walk Across Iona
I approached my week at the Abbey wondering how I would fit in. Now I look back at all our activities together and see glimpses of myself. One of the things I'd looked forward to was our pilgrimage across the island to places of historical and religious significance. We all dressed in waterproofs and hiking … Continue reading Walk Across Iona
We Gather
We gather. Forty-one of us from around the world, pilgrims to Iona, Scotland. We share stories of our lives, in one-to-one conversations across the table, in our dorm rooms as we prepare for the day, in dyads during morning sessions. How interesting what has brought each person to this place-- all unique yet with the common … Continue reading We Gather
Path to Iona
We parted in Edinburgh--David for the airport and I headed for Waverly Train station. The remainder of our trip together we were able to do the things we planned, just more slowly and with more caution. I felt that tension of transition, saying "Goodbye"to David, praying for his travel with a crutch, and moving … Continue reading Path to Iona
Tea at Two
Tea at Two. That's what we'd agreed on, my new online friend and me, fellow breast cancer survivors from either side of the pond. We'd have tea near my hotel at Hyde Park in London. I was excited to meet her in person and to have a real British teatime. I envisioned a table covered … Continue reading Tea at Two
Paris Can’t Wait
Paris Can't Wait. That's what my friend, Jennifer, named the Pinterest board she created for me. Madame Sparrow has been my friend for sixteen years since I met her at our middle school. She had lived in France for twelve years and taught French to our middle schoolers. Over the past months she's been educating … Continue reading Paris Can’t Wait
Go Fund Me
Today I take off on my trip and feel deeply grateful. I remember back to the end of March when I retired. Our school staff and my nursing colleagues honored me and later there was another party with friends. What I didn't expect was a surprise party given by my family. I was shocked and speechless-- a … Continue reading Go Fund Me
Connie Rosser Riddle 