It's nearly April and you know what that means: POETRY. Yes! Here's a video invitation to join in this year's April Poetry Celebration co-hosted, as last year, with the wonderful journal-makers, Jumping Fox Design. Get your pens and journals ready. Fire up your laptop. Put on your poet's clothes. Let's be POETS this April! PS [...]
This concert was broadcasted on 5 March 2021 by the Menino Arts Center as the first in its spring concert series; it was paired with a set by the amazing Lauren Passarelli. The theme of my set was inspiration, including connecting with the inner artist, following the wending path of creative curiosity, and the beautiful [...]
Over many years, I've become something of an "essay whisperer," helping kids write that all-important and much-dreaded college application essay. Sometimes parents ask me how I got their extremely writing-averse kid to actually write and even to feel excited about it. Here's how: I pay attention to their ideas. I ask lots of questions and [...]
It's wonderful to be delighted again by the many treasures we have around us. This morning, my eye fell on the Ink Bar - my collection of bottled fountain pen inks - and I felt a thrill of luxury, fun, and gratitude. One of my favorite ways to feel could be summed up in the [...]
Happy New Year, wonderful friends! I wish you every blessing in this brand new year, and especially the blessing of learning and growing in freedom and JOY. Going through my 2019 planner and found this reflection. It galvanized me and I hope you’ll also find it a good reminder as we set sail! PS - [...]
On my way to the Lake District in May 2019, I stayed a night in Lichfield in the English Midlands. I'd arrived there exhausted and a bit scrambled from the perilous drive north from London Gatwick, but I gathered my energies and spent the afternoon exploring the town and visiting the Cathedral. I recently came [...]
Scéal ó Shamhain go Bealtaine. A story from the first of November to the first of May. Here's inspiration to settle in for the darkest part of the year, and to light and warm it with stories. This year we can't gather in the same space, but the room of care, of listening, of [...]
Bíonn gach tosach lag. Tús maith leath na hoibre. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. Today, I have a little "set" of proverbs for you, all having to do with what it means to be a beginner and how we can best view that stage on the journey. These are the three proverbs I [...]
Éist le ceol na habhann agus gheobhaidh tú breac. Today's proverb is one of my very favorites, and I turn to it when I want to remind myself that all the goodness of life is available to me as soon as I get in tune with it. I call that river of sweetness, of [...]
Mair, a chapaill, agus gheobhaidh tú féar. Today's proverb encourages us to keep going, persevere, and generally hang in there. Life is kind to the consistent, to the ones who keep showing up. It may be be obvious at first, but over time, that faithfulness is rewarded. The video also stars the BIGGEST OAK [...]
