Even though the subtitle of my book contains the phrase “Slow  Down ” I have been a terrible example of this wisdom. All those boxes on my calendar look so open and the little words I type in seem possible. Celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary by spending two weeks in France was wonderful.  It was […]

An early morning kitchen can be a cozy nest.  Baked apples and bread pudding, from last night’s dessert, leave droplets of delight on every air molecule. But, shining plates and silverware, fresh from the dishwasher, show no signs of last night’s shared meal. Centuries of women cooking and feeding others walk with me as I

Securing the Chinese coin in the center of the stone, I wrap the leather cord around once and add a bead and then twelve small metal washers. Two more times around the stone and then up through the middle where I fasten it with a knot.  Smooth. Cool. A talisman of comfort now nestles perfectly

Dark stillness encourages problems to expand until they fill the emptiness of night. It’s 2:32 AM. I’m tossing and turning. Twisted covers lay at my feet. Anxieties about my children, grandchildren, Don, or a friend vex me. Sunshine will dissipate some of my worries, but for now I can’t shake them. I’m concerned about a

You might recognize the bench shown here.  It sits outside Uncommon Grounds Café in Saugatuck, Michigan.  Twice a year, spring and fall, I guide women’s retreats in this charming town.  Creativity flourishes in this artist’s community. Chattering minds drop away.  Hearts crack open.  Writing deepens. All is aided by the surrounding natural beauty of Saugatuck

Mystery lives in petal rich places like the heart of a rose. Chopping veggies in the ashram kitchen was my favorite job.  The sous chef would put a piece of potato in front of me and say, “This is your model, replicate it.”  Then for hours I’d stand chopping and measuring until I re-created hundreds

Compassion is my intention for 2014. This is the quality of being deeply connected to the struggles of others. Each January women, in the circles I guide, select an intention to use as a touchstone. Intentions don’t always rarely take us where we expect to go. This year is no exception. Compassion stirs images of the Dalai

Dorothy discovered, in the Land of Oz, that we can return home at any moment. It is an act of remembering. Home: shelter during storms, a spot that welcomes our untamed voices, a nurturing nest where we are known and loved just the way we are.  Spring storms come out of nowhere in Toledo, Spain. 

Broken hearts. Broken contracts. Broken health. Broken vows. Broken dreams. Broken families. Broken friendships. Broken homes. Broken promises. Life cracks us open. No one escapes the chance to find value in brokenness. In each of these situations something that’s invisible splinters—our self-image.We are not the friend, employee, or wife we thought we were.We’re not as

Birds and Nests are my new obsession. “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd, “When Women Were Birds” by Terry Tempest Williams, “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tratt, “Imperfect Birds” and “Bird by Bird” by Annie Lamont are just some titles that now populate my bookshelves.  My Journals increasingly include observations and quotes about our feathered