Remembrances
« Previous EntriesCamellias & An Exchange of Hearts
Friday, January 29th, 2010Flowers were the passion of my grandmother Gummie, my father’s mother. I’ve written about Gummie a great deal—stories of our relationship and her contributions to my various little girl rites-of-passage as I was growing up. A walk with her around her big fenced-in yard in any season was not only a botanical education for me, [...]
“Gratitude is the Memory of the Heart”
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009“Gratitude is the memory of the heart,” a quote by Jean Baptiste Massieu, is one of my favorite expressions. It reminds me at those times when I’m pulled away from my center and judgmental or fearful thoughts come up, that that is not the real me. That’s just a thought and thoughts are not real. (They’re [...]
Back to the Mountains
Monday, October 19th, 2009I recently returned to these glorious western North Carolina mountains from an extended trip to Alabama to visit family — especially to meet my six-month-old great niece, Ina, named after my mother. Her father, my dear nephew Will, and his new beautiful family live in the old family home where I grew up. So a [...]
Family Storytellers
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009Storytelling seems to come naturally in my family. All of my siblings — inspired by a love of history, a curiosity in how people and things connect, a view of the world seen through the heart, and, some may say, the ability to embellish the truth with a mischievous sense of humor — come by [...]
New Dress Redux!
Thursday, September 10th, 2009The other day as I was sitting on my porch in the North Carolina mountains (I’m nestled between the Blue Ridge and the Smokies) enjoying a late afternoon thundershower, I had a memory flash! An image popped into my mind’s eye of a favorite new “back to school” dress I had as a little girl (worn with embarrassingly [...]
Abundant Days
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009Driving through the Blue Ridge mountains the other day with friends, scattered amongst the late summer Black-eyed Susans, I got my first glimpse of goldenrod. A sign of autumn approaching, the spiky goldenrod blooms became a reminder of going back to school — accompanied by a knot in my stomach — and I shared the [...]
REMINDERS
Friday, July 24th, 2009July is my birthday month and seems that it is always a time to notice extra special things … a reminder to appreciate the abundance around me.
For one of the birthday presents, I received a photograph of my nephew Will and his three-month-old daughter Ina, who is named for my mother. (See image below.) The framed [...]
Memories in Clay
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009[I thought you'd enjoy this excerpt from an article in a past Weddings of Grace online magazine.]
Transplanted Asheville, North Carolina artist Michael Hofman’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary was coming up and he realized the idea for the perfect present was at his fingertips. Michael works in clay, making beautiful objects—vases, platters, bowls—with subtle lace patterns imprinted in [...]
“Holy Blessings” - a book excerpt
Monday, June 22nd, 2009I thought you would enjoy this excerpt from my upcoming book, “The Bride’s Ritual Guide: Look Inside to Find Yourself.” Not just for brides, but for all women (and men!) who love matters of the heart!
HOLY BLESSINGS
“Smile, breathe, go slowly.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Some brides wear a sapphire ring or pin as their wedding day “something blue.” [...]
Celebrating the Skin We’re In!
Sunday, May 24th, 2009I heard an intriguing interview recently on NPR’s “Fresh Air.” Host Terry Gross spoke with Ryan Murphy, creator of the satirical plastic surgery television series “Nip/Tuck.” The opening line of each episode (taken from the writer’s real-life experience) is by the doctor inquiring of a new patient, “What don’t you like about yourself?”
Hmmmm. Someone having [...]