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Writer, Mixed Media Artist, Contemplative Musician
Such subtle variations in purples in this dying tulip. It was a bright purple in full bloom. Now I appreciate it because of its ability to still offer beauty even in its decomposing. How does my aging life offer beauty? It's in the aging that the nuances appear. That the in-your-face boldness of youth and... Continue Reading →
I worked as a professional organizer for a time. The strangest job I ever did for a client takes some explanation. My client was an excellent photographer, travelling all over the world taking beautiful pictures. Both her parents had been safari hunters in Africa over 50 years ago. She inherited her parent's house. In it... Continue Reading →
A very small piece of my embroidery is included in this amazing project by Yana Schnitzler. "Tales of a Phoenix: The Letting Go Project" is a performative work that harnesses the power of ritual to bring women together from across the world in a unified release of old patterns that no longer serve our personal... Continue Reading →
Some people chose a word for the year as a practise at New Year's. My friend asked everyone to chose a verb. I baulked at the idea this year because I'm prone to worry that I won't get it right. But this is the type of spiritual practise which can ignite rather than restrict. I... Continue Reading →
by Mary Ann Pocock (1957-2006) just as there is pain with loss so we find it in the search for the very celebrations that come by chance from our grieving 'til one is inextricably linked to the other and we cannot tell where the dying begins and the living ends so the very things which... Continue Reading →
Sometimes I just sit on a park bench to read instead of reading in my living room. I watch squirrels, listen to birds and the breeze in the leaves, listen to people walking and talking, see dogs of all shapes and sizes. Itβs solitude within the context of community. The geese have moved up the... Continue Reading →
Today I was rereading and putting away the Christmas cards that I received this season. My mind immediately turns to childhood, scissors and paper cutting which I loved to do. Growing up in a Christian βmission-mindedβ household we were encouraged to never waste anything. This included harvesting the prettiest pictures from our old Christmas cards... Continue Reading →
I wrote this in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Gimli Yacht Club, July 1, 2017 (tune: This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land) This Club is your boat, this Club is my boat From speedy cruisers to anything that will float From the harbour mouth To this great lakeβs waters. This... Continue Reading →
Art studio tour signs brighten my day. It is a treasure and honour to be able to see into an artist's space. If you have never done an art studio tour or wanted to but feel intimidated, here is my listicle: Find the website and print out the brochure. Or use the app. Check off... Continue Reading →
One of the most powerful moments of my mother's committal serviceΒ was seeing my brotherΒ and sister-in-lawΒ placing her ashes into the ground. They knelt down on the grass beside the small hole. Gently herΒ arm went all the way to the bottom of the soil floor, over a metre down, like a final caress. Families who are not... Continue Reading →
"As artists it takes courage to create when the world around us keeps saying that there are better things we could be doing with our time. There is often little recognition or money in being an artist, and yet I invite you to consider art-making and creativity an exuberant act of self-love. To say, βI... Continue Reading →
At the heart of every longing is a quest for deeper connection. How can I help you make those connections? Β This is my work and the work of Heather Plett. Β Gathering inΒ circle, allows usΒ to connect againΒ withΒ each other,Β ourselves, theΒ sacred, and theΒ earth. Heather has included my submission about connecting to our earth in her new ebook, AΒ Path... Continue Reading →
The beautiful art quilts of Heather Lair are on display at the New Iceland Heritage Museum in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada until Sept 1st. This is a must see show.Β I felt like I was in the midst of greatness being surrounded by Heather'sΒ work. Here are some of my favourites. Being able to view allΒ this work... Continue Reading →
We went berry picking with my grandson. It was the perfect morning. Cool and breezy enough to keep the mosquitoes away. Overcast too. Saskatoon berries are sort of like blueberries, but a whole lot easier to pick, I think. They are a prairie delicacy and loaded with antioxidants (things that are good for you). Mike... Continue Reading →
My husband and I hung out with a unique fellowship of believers; Christ Church, Anglican. This rural church, in the town of Petrolia, Ontario, Canada has a unique claim to fame. It is intimately connected with the development of the oil industry. It was the place of worship of many of the original Canadian oil... Continue Reading →
Medaille House Labyrinth, London Ontario - photo Sandi Spaulding In 1998 I spearheaded a labyrinth building project at Medaille House Retreat Centre in London, Ontario. A 60' diametre labyrinth based on the classical 11 circuit Chartres Cathedral design. What prompted my memory of this event was finding this cardboard template tucked away in my storage room.... Continue Reading →
You do stupid things when you're a teenager. Hopefully those stupid things aren't morally, legally or ethically wrong. Sometimes they are just silly! When I was a teenager there was a really weird fad. Stealing Lee jean patches! If you were fortunate enough to be able to afford them, the cool thing was wearing Levi... Continue Reading →
Heather Lair (1956 - 2013), Gimli, MB, Canada, was an amazing artist. Her passion, amongst other things, was textiles. I will miss her beautiful smile, piercing eyes, lilting voice, nimble fingers, generosity of spirit and positive attitude. Our brief friendship was treasured. We feel privileged to have one of her quilts gracing our abode. Every... Continue Reading →
I was browsing through the tourist brochures while recently onΒ the lounge deck ofΒ the MS Chi CheemaunΒ ferry to Manitoulin Island. Β "The Art Map: Year Round Trail Guide to Galleries, Art Studios and Events"Β popped out at me.Β I'm the type of person who is willing to step out of my comfort zone if I sense that I might... Continue Reading →
Ailsa Craig is a tiny little town in South Western Ontario, Canada. It was there that I was immersed in quilts from Israel! My daughter and I went to see the annualΒ Ailsa Craig Community Quilt Festival. Each year a group of committed volunteers mount an amazing display of quilts from other lands. My absolute favourite... Continue Reading →
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