Single moms and a gift of soul lodge

I could tell you all about my story of being a single mom from the time by son was four. (he is now 26)  About all the struggles, heartaches, and guilt.  About learning to think differently about what my family looked like.  And holidays and birthdays. About wondering if I was going to survive.  I could tell you about all that and I will someday.  Someday when we are sitting around the fire sharing our stories. I will tell you about having a grown son and a battered spirit and starting to find ways to rediscover my center.  I discovered An Artful Journey and Squam. And from Squam I found the gift of Pixie and Soul Lodge. With Soul Lodge I found the place to start calling my spirit back.

So all this to say to all of the single mothers, I would love to gift the experience of summer Soul Lodge to  one of you. It is such an amazing journey. Trust that inner voice that speaks to you and if you are so inclined leave a comment to have a chance of of joining us in Summer Soul Lodge. I will leave the comments open until the evening of the 13th.

Blessings

June 13th...
Congratulation to Tinachicky!  It is my honor to gift you with the experience of
Summer Soul Lodge.  Please send me you contact info and I will be in touch.
AHO!
lindywear@hotmail.com

Fun Mail Day & Fun with Suzy!

I went to the mailbox several days ago and found two of my favorite things






I have always loved magazines and catalogs. It is a bit of an obsession. I remember as a young girl spending hours with the Sears catalog and a pen planning rooms that I would have some day. I would circle all the items of clothing that would hang in my closet if I dreamed hard enough. I tore pages out of magazines with recipes and decorating ideas and still do. In my quest to have less stuff in my life and because we live a bicoastal life, I have made most of my magazine subscriptions digital and read them on my ipad. The one I still get in the mail is Anthology. I read every issue over and over and am always inspired. If you aren't familiar with Anthology it is worth checking it out!


One of my other favorite things is bags! Bags in any form! Purses, totes, pouches. I love them all. This obsession also started when I was young. I remember watching That Girl with Marlo Thomas and being so fascinated with her clothes and that she had a different purse to match every outfit. At the time I thought that was the coolest thing ever! I don't have bags to match all my outfits ( I am not sure what I wear qualifies as outfits!) but I do love a good bag. My new purse is from Bookhou and makes me so happy! I don't know how many pieces you have to own to qualifiy as a collector of an artists work but I think I am there. I love Arounna's work. On my list of fun things to do is a field trip to Toronto to visit Bookhou and meet her.

I love the memories that have influenced the things I love. Sometimes it is the simple things I love the most.

I am heading to Berkeley this weekend for a two day workshop with Suzy Pilgrim Waters and Sarajo Frieden. I met Suzy at Squam last fall and was so inspired by her in many ways. She is pure joy and fun! I was so happy to hear that she was coming to the Teahouse Studio to teach with her friend Sarajo. It is going to be an awesome fun weekend! Check out the Teahouse website and all the amazing workshops happening. It is such a warm welcoming and wonderful place to take a workshop and just be around creative spirits.


Have a good weekend!

On Feeling Lost and not Knowing

I seem to have lost my way a bit the past few months so things have been quiet on my little blog. It has been a time of more questions than answers. Doing battle with the choir of self doubt that likes to sing in my head from time to time. (more often than I would like) A time of mostly being unsure of myself, my choices, and my direction. But like all times of darkness and doubt, clarity does come around. This time with the help of some healing work. I am not quite there but I am seeing lots of light. More and more clarity and less self doubt. In the words of Caroline Myss "it is time to call back your spirit". That is my work right now.

We are leaving our little house in Maine and heading back to California in a couple of days. We usually leave right after Thanksgiving but this year decided to stay for Christmas and New Year's. It has been a lovely time. We sold our California house earlier this summer and put our belongings in storage so will be renting an apartment for a few months. We are going to move only what we really need and live very simply for our stay there. I am really looking forward to that. The rest is unknown. We may or may not buy another house. Maybe in California, maybe not. We may or may not take a road trip. We are unsure where we might end up in the winter. It may be different every year. Lots of unknown but it feels like a good opportunity to practice just being where I am and doing what I am doing at the moment without thinking too far ahead. I'm thinking that it's not a bad place to be.

I am looking to the New Year with great hope and anticipation. Lots of adventures, creative time, and general joy making! I wish the same for you.

Blessings

The Beauty That is Squam

sunrise from cabin window

I have been home from Squam for a few days and am still struggling to find words to describe this most magical place. Words to describe what happens there. What I do know for sure is that when that many creative spirits come together with open hearts and outstretched arms magic does happen. Wide open hearts connect with others, every outstretched arm links with the next, and a circle is formed. A circle that fills you with love. A circle that lifts your spirit and holds space for all that you dream of. A circle that will support and encourage you to be your very best authentic self.



It is in this most magical place that I feel most myself. In this place I feel accepted and loved. In this place I feel worthy. And in this place I feel extraordinarily blessed. Blessed to be given space to open my heart and link arms and be part of this tribe.

I will share more over the next few days but for now I leave you with part of a poem that Elizabeth read Sunday morning before we left.

A Morning Offering

I place on the altar of dawn:
The quiet loyalty of breath,
The tent of thought where I shelter,
Wave of desire I am shore to
And all beauty drawn to the eye

May my mind come alive today
To the invisible geography
That invites me to new frontiers,
To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.

May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.


John O'Donohue

Blessings

Heading Out

My bags are packed and waiting. The house is clean. The fridge is empty. I am heading out Saturday morning for a couple of days in Las Vegas for a family wedding and then on to our sweet little island house in Maine. I have had a much needed month of solitude and quiet and mostly feel ready to participate in the world again.(Maybe I should start slow!) I have had time to quiet all the external chatter and get some clarity about many areas of my life. I have seen very few people. Mostly my favorite son and my chiropractor. There has been some art making, a little bit of embroidery, lots of journal writing, late evening walks, and listening to singing birds. Lots of self care and nurturing.

Going back to the island is a different kind of nurturing. There is lots of space and breathing room. I am much more social there. For such a tiny little town there is an abundance of summertime events and activities. I am looking forward to having dinner parties, drinks on the decks, long walks, farmer's market, making art, hanging out with family, art receptions, sitting on the deck, and lots of lobster!

jaz and favorite son

I am also very excited to see my puppy! She went to Maine with my husband a month ago so I have been missing her company but I know she is very happy on the island.


I am thinking I am going to unplug for a few weeks. I love being connected to the blogging community and facebook but sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by it. So for now I think I will settle back into island life with my family and having an awesome summer. I want to do only the things that truly make my heart sing and be willing to let the rest go.



I wish you an awesome summer!

In Solitude

Setting Intentions

Quieting the Chatter

Finding the Silence

Being Gentle

Holding Space for Clarity

Being Grateful

Gearing Up for Summer

For us that means heading back to Maine to our wonderful little house on the island. I always look forward to returning and the ritual of opening the house and settling back in to our life there. The smell of sweetgrass, peonies, and lilacs. We have a wonderful community of friends and family. As much as I look forward to returning, this summer I have decided to take a little extra time before I go East. My husband will leave in a few days to fly back with our dog. I am going to stay in California for a few weeks for some much needed solitude. A few weeks of nothing to do but take care of my own well being. Days with nothing but my own company and my own rhythm.

A few weeks of painting, creating, exploring, and playing.

Time to just sit with my thoughts.

And time to just breathe.

I am still looking forward to going to Maine and having an awesome time. Just a little bit later this year.


What are you looking forward to this summer?