On the Road to the Valley of Bones

The stars began to fade into a dawning sky as donkey and I left the darkened streets of Gidean behind and came to the outskirts of town. I could sense, more than see, tidy fields and dim outlines of farm houses and barns along the dusty road, while the area directly ahead hinted at an [...]

Read Full Post »

Magical Abbey

My home base in Lemuria is the Abbey. Although my cell was sparsely furnished when I arrived, it was all I needed for writing and art. To my amazement, the wide slit of a window that gave perfect light, but had been totally unreachable, lengthened and lowered as my creativity blossomed.
Yesterday after I returned [...]

Read Full Post »

My Inner Donkey

Dazed and disoriented in the darkness, I reached out to steady myself and latched onto a rim of greasy, cold metal that tipped and nearly sent me sprawling. The full trash can and I slammed into the one next to it with a resounding crash that should have awakened all of Gilead.
Instead, one lone, [...]

Read Full Post »

Seeds of Change

The potting shed on Owl Island has been calling me. It’s mid-February and my body and bones ache for warmth; my mind and soul yearn for the promise of renewal that planting brings. In times past, I’ve planted seeds for creativity and watched them quickly sprout, strengthen and flower, but not this time.
I’ve come [...]

Read Full Post »

Interview with Zinnia Edwards

Why was I drawn to interview Zinnia Edwards? It turned out to be more than my interest in the art and craft of carousel horses.

porchsitter:First, Ms. Edwards, perhaps you can clear up a small point for me. Your exquisite carousel horses are found in Duwaimish Bay on the Marina–but you live here on the [...]

Read Full Post »

Timeless Lemuria

Thank God for a week of sea days before we reach our first port of call, whatever and wherever that may be. Just like l’Enchanteur to book us on a year long cruise and give no itinerary except Lemuria. She thrives on mystery, but I have to say, she’s generous to a fault. [...]

Read Full Post »

Gala Night on E-Deck

This pink bow being displayed by the handsome, (sigh) French waiter was concocted entirely of sugar and had been used for midnight buffets and galas on the S.S. France for two years. Sadly, moments after the camera clicked the bow spontaneously collapsed and reverted to its former granular state.
Handsome, French waiter and I shared [...]

Read Full Post »

Coming on board

Read Full Post »

Glimpses of Poverty — I

Recently a friend gave me a box of Whitman’s Sampler. The yellow box with its vintage embroidered look triggered the following memory.
There lived a woman, many years ago, who was old when I was young. I met her briefly, never knew her name and never saw her again but she permanently changed my perception [...]

Read Full Post »

Preparing for the Big Day

As a young woman I travelled with my parents nearly every year at Christmas. For six months we’d relive the excitement and fun of the previous trip but by the time summer arrived, waiting for the winter cruise listings became almost unbearable. So, one fine Sunday, usually at my mother’s suggestion, we’d get [...]

Read Full Post »