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
#stillsmallvoiceofGod
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
HUGS FOR FREE: A Crazy Idea?
It was in June of 2023 -- not long after the pandemic lockdown. I was in Charlottesville, Virginia with a friend walking around the downtown area. It was a casual Saturday, people eating brunch at the sidewalk tables and browsing the crafted goods of artisans. Heading for a coffee shop, I almost ran into a … Continue reading HUGS FOR FREE: A Crazy Idea?
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
Santiago, Finally
When this third post during my pilgrimage is published on August 25th, I'll be spending my final day in Santiago. Two days before, I'll walk from Padron to Santiago, a 16 mile stretch over natural pathways through oak, pine, and eucalyptus woodlands. As I get closer to Santiago there will be sections of main road … Continue reading Santiago, Finally
Camino Bound: Going Solo–Again
In January, I signed up to go with a group on the Portuguese Coastal Camino through the company Prayerful Path led by Mary Maddox from Georgia https://prayerfulpath.com. It would be nice to go in a small group of ten people and feel the camaraderie and support of fellow travelers. When I turned fifty, I started … Continue reading Camino Bound: Going Solo–Again
Camino Bound: Symbols to Carry
In a week, I'll take off for Porto to start my walk on the Portuguese Coastal Camino. I've considered what I should carry beyond the necessities of clothing, medications, maps, and travel documents. I've felt a need for symbols that will anchor me in my purpose. For many years, the scallop shell has been the … Continue reading Camino Bound: Symbols to Carry