When I was in my forties, I took my first classes in visual art. I never selected them as electives in high school because I thought only certain people can do art. Those people included my close friend, Donna who excelled in that area and was always chosen by the teachers to do the classroom … Continue reading Solo Journey: Walking Lavender Fields
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Choosing Freedom
As we've moved past our July 4th Independence Day in the US, I'm reminded that we're now into the second half of 2025. During the first half of this year, I've found myself learning how to relax in the flow of life. Through most of my years, I've been a planner, goal-setter, and daydreamer about … Continue reading Choosing Freedom
Camino Journey: The Friends We Carry
Lately, I've found myself reminiscing about my Camino journey last August, 2024 and scrolling through the many photos on my phone. Those fourteen days of walking were so full of new sights and the steady demand of covering miles each day to reach my lodging. I'm thankful that I wrote notes every night about the … Continue reading Camino Journey: The Friends We Carry
Planting Seeds: Allowing the Space for a Slow Process
This morning I spaded holes in my patio garden for the six sunflower plants that survived being washed out from downpours. I bought a third packet of seeds, determined that this year I'd have enough of the tall ones to stand watch at the back of the garden and small ones in front to cut … Continue reading Planting Seeds: Allowing the Space for a Slow Process
Mini Solo Journey: The Thing That’s Calling You
This is the time of year when I'm usually planning my upcoming solo journey. I've found that the best guide is my energy and my interest. Finally, I've realized that my body will tell me what's best when it comes to my energy level. When I've pushed against that in the past, insisting that I … Continue reading Mini Solo Journey: The Thing That’s Calling You
Lessons learned by a Drop Out Knitter
Years ago I entered a phase of intense experimenting with different crafts and arts. I'd held in my creative urges when I was raising my boys -- given I had so little time for anything after work. Once my sons were in high school and more independent, able to drive themselves to their activities, I … Continue reading Lessons learned by a Drop Out Knitter
The Joys of Getting Lost
I often lose my way on my Solo Journeys. Sometimes it's been due to problems with technology while traveling. Last August when I walked the Portuguese Coastal Path of the Camino, I had problems with my apps. Two hours before I completed my 158 mile journey, I discovered that I'd failed to have my internet … Continue reading The Joys of Getting Lost
Faith, Hope, Luck, and Love of the Irish
Monday is St. Patrick's Day but the celebrating will start this weekend -- with parades and lots of pubs with live Irish music. Growing up in a Protestant church, I never knew about the Catholic saints. I now read that St. Patrick was a missionary who spread Christianity throughout Ireland during the 5th century. Photo … Continue reading Faith, Hope, Luck, and Love of the Irish
Sedona: Twenty-Four Hour Reset
This week I received a treasure in my mailbox; it was an unexpected letter from a former neighbor and walking partner. We'd last exchanged Christmas correspondence three years ago. She came across my letter when she was cleaning out her chest of drawers and looked up my website. After reading some of the drafts that … Continue reading Sedona: Twenty-Four Hour Reset
Camino Path: Longing to Linger
This week I've been working on a presentation for a Durham travel group about my experience walking the Portuguese Coastal Path of the Camino last August. Looking back over my photos, deciding how many I can feature in the thirty minutes, I'm reminded of the moments walking that 158 mile path. What hits me is … Continue reading Camino Path: Longing to Linger