Today is Mother's Day and I think of Mama and all that she taught me. I realize, now that I'm older and a mother and grandmother, that our mothers did the best they could based on all that formed them. Mama, was born in 1923 and grew up in rural North Carolina during the Great … Continue reading My Mother, My Teacher
pilgrimage
Preparing for the Journey: Pack Light
As we move on through April, and my August journey to Portugal is drawing closer, I find myself reading and writing more about what's ahead. My current journal was given to me by a friend who knew about my yearly solo trips. It's covered in old world maps and throughout there are quotes about travel. … Continue reading Preparing for the Journey: Pack Light
The Luck of the Scots-Irish
Today is St. Patrick's Day. There have been all kinds of celebrations this weekend including a parade in Raleigh--our capital city here in North Carolina. Photo by Laura Tancredi on Pexels.com Years ago, you didn't hear about celebrations-- at least not that I remember. In our small Southern town, there weren't ethnic communities that maintained … Continue reading The Luck of the Scots-Irish
The Inner Journey of Pilgrimage
The last week of September in 2017, I went on my solo journey to Iona, Scotland. I chose to attend a week-long retreat at The Abbey because of the theme that drew me: "The Pilgrimage of Life." I joined with thirty-nine others from around the world to look closely at how life is a journey--and … Continue reading The Inner Journey of Pilgrimage
Camino Tribe
In my post of Jan 28, 2024: The Year of Finding Your Tribe, I described my goal of joining two tribes this year that would provide a broad network of people who shared my passions. The first was the Blues Tribe that I'd found through the Blue Note Grill in Durham. There, I'd made a home … Continue reading Camino Tribe
Underpromising: Accepting Each Day as It Comes
Last Monday I set down my goals, my intentions for the week. One of those was to continue my preparation for my Camino journey this summer. I wanted to increase my time of hiking from two to three hours. It seemed reasonable at the beginning of the week to do that twice---given the other things … Continue reading Underpromising: Accepting Each Day as It Comes
The Camino is Calling
This past week was my third of training for the journey I want to take next June. I was talking with my younger son, Ross and described my travel plan. I told him I'd written a blog post and referred to taking a journey with more walking than I've ever done. Then I confessed, "I'm … Continue reading The Camino is Calling
Planning for Pilgrimage: Can I Do It?
Last week I talked with my friend, Judy about her recent trip with the Road Scholars to South Dakota. She's gone on multiple treks with that group that offers educational and recreationally challenging experiences for those over the age of 50. The last trip Judy had taken was right before the lockdown from Covid in … Continue reading Planning for Pilgrimage: Can I Do It?
An Irish Path
One year ago today, I was flying with my cousin, Kim from Edinburgh, Scotland to Dublin, Ireland. We'd just completed a six-day Rabbie's bus tour into the Outer Hebrides on the west coast of Scotland. There, on the wondrous Isle of Skye, Kim had scattered her mother's ashes--her final request, to honor her mother's McDonald … Continue reading An Irish Path
Follow that Push: Trust Your Instinct
In the heat of August, with no solo journeys planned for this year, I've been immersed in memories of a past trip. What has brought it to mind is remembering my "Beta Reader," Mattie Belle who passed away one year ago. I'd made a promise to her that I would "keep writing" as she'd directed; … Continue reading Follow that Push: Trust Your Instinct
