I spotted the girl from across the room. She was the one, looking unabashedly into the camera, with eyes that are serious, like they’re gazing into your soul. I was at the Art Cats Gallery in Petoskey, Michigan during my solo journey several summers ago. The photograph had been applied to a fiber art collage … Continue reading True Nature
#solojourneys
The Rhythm of the Day
I arrived at the two-week writer’s residency in central Kentucky, expecting to have to juggle my time between farm chores, shared kitchen duties with fellow artists, providing a community educational program, and writing. But when I got there, nothing was as I expected. The herd of cows had been sold, there was no garden, and … Continue reading The Rhythm of the Day
Not Like Me
I watched that ‘hunk of burnin’ love’ from across the crowd. It had been a fun day, riding my bike around Mackinac Island in northern Michigan and then happening upon the outside summer concert. I wasn’t content to just watch ‘Elvis,’ I wanted to get up close to him. As soon as he finished his … Continue reading Not Like Me
If I Live to be 100
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. I was fifty-two and staying at my first hostel while on my solo journey that June. Since Sunday had always been a family day, I felt drawn to visit one of the sites on the island, Polly Hill Arboretum, that reminded me of a … Continue reading If I Live to be 100
Follow Your Energy
Follow Your Energy. That was one of the big takeaways from my Life Coaching course. What I found interesting was how to help clients when they were deciding on a course of action but were conflicted over their options. Prior to my training, I would have probably encouraged the client to write down their options, … Continue reading Follow Your Energy
Dry Well
I’m staring at the screen and searching for inspiration and knowing I have a post due. But what can I write, when I’m feeling tired and my well has gone dry? What do you have for me to inspire others’ with, Lord, when I’m wondering if I’m inspired myself? I trace my tiredness and think … Continue reading Dry Well
The Plans I Have for You
January is a month of looking ahead and planning for the year. We make work goals and vacation plans. I dream about where I’ll take my solo journey, my pilgrimage. This year, I have the excitement of anticipating the birth of my first grandchild, a baby boy – a new chapter of life about to … Continue reading The Plans I Have for You
Prayin’ Trees
I didn’t know what to say to her, my nursing director who’d found her husband after he’d committed suicide. What can words do when someone has had such a tragic loss?Later, when I was driving home from work, riding through the country, I noticed a huge oak tree in the middle of a pasture. Underneath … Continue reading Prayin’ Trees
Follow Your Whim
Just three days into January and I’m starting to feel boxed in. It’s not the record cold weather, or my Christmas decorations losing their luster. This is the season when I start to ponder where I might go on my solo journey, my yearly pilgrimage. The snow in the forecast reminds me of a similar … Continue reading Follow Your Whim
Things You Leave Behind
It's New Year's Eve and I'm remembering that day in September when I stood with the others on the shore of Iona Sound. All forty-one of us from the Abbey were invited to take a pilgrimage to all the important sites on the island. That portion of the beach was where St. Columba and his … Continue reading Things You Leave Behind
Connie Rosser Riddle 