If we are facing lots of challenges and resistance on our journey,

 that means that we have lots of beautiful things to alchemise

 and our butterfly moment is going to be HUGE. 

 - Demi Fox

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

From BEEing  Created by Beth Richardson ©2021 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase 

February 20, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   One of my comfort foods is potatoes. While it doesn’t matter how they are prepared, my favourite is potatoes smothered in melted cheese.

   I also enjoy potato chips, but haven’t eaten any since my collapse in 2013, as that was one of the umpteen foods I had to stop eating, except for a couple (not too successful) attempts at making homemade ones with my niece.

   Till now! Last month, I found a recipe for super easy microwave potato chips! As I still have quite a few potatoes from my garden, I’ve been having a blast making potato chips, and using up dribs and drabs of spices and seasonings I have on hand. I even impressed my niece!

   They are easy to make.Slice the potatoes really thin (I use the smallest/thinnest blade on the food processor) * single layer on parchment paper and add seasonings * microwave 3 - 5 mins (depends on microwave and thickness). Let them cool and then enjoy! Easy peasy!

Ad rates went up. There is no charge to submit photos and/or news items, a donation is gratefully accepted.

I invite you to please donate a minimum of $24 in honour of the 24 years I’ve been in publication. That’s less than a $1/issue for a year. Receipts available on request. Thank you for your continued support.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CycwyS1S-LeqoeO8P1UC2G-ywIWN7j8j/view?usp=drive_link

 Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 24 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it.  If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. 

Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0 

E-transfer/PayPal to thechautauqua@gmail.com 

   Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone: 403-352-3837      

Detours happen when you’re trying to get somewhere 

and you end up somewhere else.  

Sometimes “somewhere else” can be more interesting than “somewhere.”  

If you’re open to change,

 a detour can lead you to a place you never dreamed. 

 - Mari Messer

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

From BEEing  Created by Beth Richardson ©2021 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase  

Saturday Morning Comic 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone: 403-352-3837

My Artist Voice #46 February 13, 2026

   Welcome to my 46th Letter. To receive these letters directly in your email inbox so you don't miss any, please contact thechautauqua@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.  Please share this with friends who may also be interested.  Thank you so much for your support.  If you no longer wish to receive, please reply with "Unsubscribe."

   I don't feel like I've really done anything in the past month, as what I've done has been so little.  However, as Caylee Grey, the artist from Get Messy, says, "More than zero is enough" so I know that every one of my micro-steps is still getting something done and making a difference around here.  Plus, I've been getting lots of resting time too.

Meme source unknown 

Word of the Year: Hobbit (Comfort / Cozy)

Celtic Year theme: Joy and Delight (fire, do what brings you joy weekly, how can you bring joy to others?) 

[WINTER/REST]: Cleansing Body and Spirit (water, clear your energy/spirit)

Imbolc: Accept Love (fire, accept with an open heart)

Celebrations: 

 

   It's now 5 months later, and the greenery from the Telus bouquet is still lush in the vase on the table!  After this long, I'm surprised it hasn't grown roots!

   Jan. 16th was my 24th anniversary issue of The Chautauqua!  WOW!  There have been incredibly wonderful times, unbelievably stressful times, and so many amazing people I've met through those years.  Taking over the newspaper was one of the all-time best decisions I made in my life.

   January 18th, I invited my neighbour along to the Stettler Variety Showcase concert - "6 Minute Warning" - an acapella group from Edmonton.  They were quite good and so fun to watch because you could tell they really enjoyed themselves on the stage.

  For one of her writing assignments in early February, my niece was to write about someone who had an impact on her life, and she chose to write about me!  Her essay was very well written (she received a mark of 100%) and very emotional to read.  I must say, she really knows me!

   I've also reached out to neighbours on occasion and they've picked up some groceries for me when they were out, so I didn't have go myself.

   I watched Hallmark Christmas movies on the Global app on my ipad till Feb. 1st, and then started watching regular Hallmark movies each evening.  I am still enjoying watching Josh Johnson's comedy sketches online for laughter and stress relief.

   I published two more comic strips in the paper and posted them online.  Both are repeats from last year - though I updated the New Year's one.  

Recently Completed:

Since the last newsletter, I...

   Finished my 42nd cartoon comic booklet.  You can view it here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/1443712393775425

In Beth's Kitchen:

   It's a good thing I'd prepared food in the Fall and froze it, as I just didn't have the energy in January (end of December too) to do any cooking or baking.  I did turn a loaf of bread into French toast the middle of January.

   Jan. 24th I finally made a half batch of oatcakes - it literally took me all week to make them as I added a dry ingredient to the bowl each day, hoping I felt well enough to bake, but didn't.  This time I made them with oat flour.   

   Jan. 25th I peeled and sliced two of my smaller potatoes (ones that would fit in the food processor) and sliced them very thin to make into microwave potato chips.  Wow!  They were way easier than the recipe indicated!  The recipe said to put the slices on paper towel in the microwave, and many of the chips stuck to it, so I switched to parchment paper and that was better (and, truthfully, I don't think I would even need that).  I made salt & pepper chips and dill chips. This is definitely a keeper and I'll have to make more soon.

   I also attempted to make potato waffles - fail!  Well, the smaller large potato sort of worked, but overall, a fail.

   I made a no-bake chocolate raspberry pie too in the crust I had in the freezer.

   Jan. 26th I used a different microwave potato chip recipe I saw (just for comparison) - used slightly thicker slices of potato, and I tried without the parchment paper.  I put nutritional yeast on for the flavouring.  Didn't work as good as the previous day's attempts (and I know I do need the parchment paper after all) so I'll stick to the thinnest slices.

   Jan. 27th, I went back to the original microwave potato chip recipe and made some more: salt & pepper (my fav seasoning so far), garlic (salt), and paprika.  This is so cool as I used to eat potato chips a lot until I got sick, and I look at them in the store when I grocery shop and decide I can do without, and now I can make my own so easy with my own potatoes!

  Jan. 29th, I made more potato chips in the microwave - I'm slowly dealing with my potatoes.  These ones were chive and onion (salt)

  Jan. 31st I made another batch of microwave potato chips.  These ones were herbal salt, Italian spice, bacon (bits), and sage.  Niece is impressed with how crispy the chips are, though her favourite flavour is still salt & pepper too. 

   I made another batch on Feb. 2nd.  Lemon & dill, thyme, salt & pepper, plus salt & vinegar.

   Each batch of microwave potato chips = 3-4 potatoes out of the pail!  I've emptied 1 (of 3) pails of potatoes now!  I'm also using up the odd dribs & drabs of spices/seasonings.  Feb. 3rd I made more: garlic & cheese, hot pepper, roasted red pepper spice, oregano, lemon & dill, and cinnamon sugar. 

   And here's a picture of ALL of the varieties/flavours together.  

   Feb. 6th I tried a recipe from Chef Abir for (3 ingredient) Banana Bread Bites - she made hers in an airfryer and I don't have one, so converted the recipe for an oven.  I also tried the recipe with applesauce (right) - think I need to make the bites smaller and cook a wee bit longer, but they did turn out so it's a keeper recipe!  They have cinnamon sugar on top.

   Feb. 8th I mixed up an apple & cinnamon baked oatmeal - used coconut milk and my homemade applesauce.  I also added the 3rd layer to the layer square I'm trying - each layer needs frozen in between steps but not as long as I've been leaving them!  I used a jar of (runny) raspberry jam from 2011 that has been on my counter for ages waiting to see if it was still good enough to use - it was.

   Feb. 9th I made more microwave potato chips - what I made before didn't last as long as I planned because I ended up giving more away than I thought.  These ones were herbal salt, bacon, and salt & pepper.

   Feb. 10th I put the final (chocolate) layer on the layered square - I'm glad I made it, but I don't think I'll make again.  I also made more potato chips: chive, garlic & cheese, salt & pepper, orange.  My snack container is full again!

  Feb. 11th, I decided to try making carrot chips in the microwave - cause that's just how I roll!  Tried a couple different methods and think I still need to tweak some more as they didn't really crisp up.  I seasoned with salt & pepper and ginger.

Jigsaw Puzzles:

   Since my last letter, I still haven't made much headway on the puzzle - partly because I haven't put as much time in, and partly because it is a very challenging one!

UFO (UnFinished Object) Update:

   As part of my Hobbit year, I'm going through the Inner Circle Let It Go, Let It Flow program again.  Amber did some updates this year and I watched those too.  I did consider keeping track of the total number of items I let go, but decided to "let go" of adding more hassle to my life.  Instead, I just make sure that I let go of (or put away) at least one physical item per day, and delete at least one computer file per day.  I know there will be some days it's more than one each, and I know that the momentum will ebb and flow depending on how I feel each day.  Some of my bigger highlights so far...

   - continued to deleted old "someday" files off my computer 

   - more craft supplies/kits to Sis and our postmistress 

   - recycled a package of brand new (though old) water-damaged envelopes I saved for a journal craft (because they couldn't be used as envelopes) - I decided I had more than enough GOOD envelopes in the house to use if/when I do the craft 

   - I cut up 6 manila file folders for cards for backs for mini collages (recycled 3 file folders as they were too damaged to use) and then glued the 36 cards onto two old Alberta maps from the 1990s (Ralph Klein era) so they are ready for the next step.

   - I finished reading "Pencil Dancing" by Mari Messer - one of the creativity books from my neighbour.  I enjoyed reading it and now I can pass it on to someone else 

   - tossed lists of supplements I have taken from 2013 - 2022

   - recycled a bunch of unread mail from 2018-2019 (thankfully there was nothing important that I missed)

   - a friend asked one day if my "house full of everything" happened to have an extra mouse pad as she desperately needed a new one - my house did have a brand new one and giving it to her was my 1 item for that day!

   Kiala Givehand’s 7 Books in 7 Days course: I still have ideas for books I want to make though that's on the back burner for now.  

Courses and Challenges (free and paid):

  Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: I will get back to this after I get the paper year-end done.

Physical Activity:

   Rebounder: I will aim for 2 mins each day (starting in Feb.)

  "Mystery activity” I’m still doing this DAILY!!  For 2026, I'm just going to enjoy the activity and not worry about reaching a specific time duration or level of proficiency.

Works in progress:

Currently, I'm working on...

- 13 inch round mandala acrylic painting (on hold)

- Era of the Dreamers journal - I didn't really touch this for all of December so am catching up on some of my spreads.  While it was only going to be for 2025, I will continue it for 2026.

- personal smashbook for DAILY journal writing as part of my connection to Spirit and my Guides

- mini collages (on hold)

- painting (18-20?) ceramic Easter egg people from Gramma's craft kits (acrylics) - stalled 

- UFO crochet project (not food) - on hold 

- my next small hooked rug (on hold)

   A good friend was surprised to hear that I had never watched the TV series "Yellowstone" and highly recommended it.  I watched season 5 (part 1) the end of January and finished on Feb. 1st.  I watched the 2nd part of season 5 the first week of Feb.  That's the whole series watched now - my favourite parts were all the ranch and cowboy scenes, hands down.  Next up, I'll watch season 1 of the Yellowstone prequel "1923."

Featured Products for Sale:

   This is a great time to get back into routines, so I have my hour long Love Your Body Yoga Class (suitable for beginners and all levels) available in digital format for $20.  If you would like to experience this class, please email thechautauqua@gmail.com.

  

   I have inspirational card decks, journals, chapbooks, musical CD's and more for sale that would make gifts and stocking stuffers.  Please contact me at thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone 403-352-3837 to make a purchase. Or visit 4910 47 St, in Mirror, AB.  Items are also available for sale at Amy’s Bakery on Main Street in Delburne, AB.

   I offer $50 Distance Reiki/Energy Healing sessions.  I’ve been an Kundalini Reiki Master since 2023.  Energy healing works great from any distance and I've sent Reiki healing as far away as Queensland, Australia.  Please, contact me to set up your healing session.

"I have been suffering with Long COVID for over a year and have tried every healing modality in the book to get my energy back. Beth has been gifting me with healing Reiki energy for quite some time now and I have, for the first time in over a year, started to feel like myself again.  Much of my weakness has dissipated, and the dark cloud that I have been stewing under has lifted. Thank you Beth. ♥️" - Carla, Esthetician, Nova Scotia 

   Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to share with anyone you think might enjoy it.

Beth 

~~~~~~~~

As a life-long creative, and now artist, I weave my varied interests and wisdom together in an enlightening and entertaining manner, to make people think, but above all else, bring a smile to their faces and hearts, as my style is childlike in its simplicity and playfulness.  While bedridden for much of 2017, I developed 5 – 10 minute practices which allowed me to commit to them daily. I’ve been called the “Queen of Small Steps” because my simple practices – though they seem small individually – have added up to quite a body of work in a few short years. 

~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much for your support, to receive this newsletter directly via email please email: thechautauqua@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.  Thank you!

Back issues of this newsletter are found here: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/  under the category "Artist Newsletter"

To support my artistic journey, please consider purchasing my artwork, items available in person at 4910-47 St, Mirror, AB

or make a donation via

Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0 

E-transfer/PayPal to thechautauqua@gmail.com 

   Your support and kindness are always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to bringing you joy and inspiration! Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

Learn to tilt.  To willingly throw things out of balance.  

And, importantly, learn to be OK with that...

Tilting allows us to focus on what’s important in the moment, 

and intentionally choose to put our energies into those areas...

Tilting actually helps us to achieve balance over a longer period of time. 

 - Brooke McAlary

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

From BEEing  Created by Beth Richardson ©2021 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase 

 

February 6, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   When I was growing up there was always a large box in the basement full of...various sized boxes!

   Every time a nice sturdy box came into the house, it would be put into the basement box. It didn’t matter what purpose you needed a box for, or what size, there was ALWAYS exactly what you needed in that large box in the basement. Bonus if you wrapped a present for an immediate family member, because you knew that afterwards the box would be returned to the basement for another time.

   There is no longer a large box storing smaller boxes in my house (and there hasn’t been for decades), I still find myself saving boxes.

    While discussing sustainability recently, I realized we need to bring back saving and reusing habits of our parents and grandparents to simplify and better our own lives now.

   Just one small shift can change a lot.

 Ad rates went up. There is no charge to submit photos and/or news items, a donation is gratefully accepted.

I invite you to please donate a minimum of $24 in honour of the 24 years I’ve been in publication. That’s less than a $1/issue for a year. Receipts available on request. Thank you for your continued support.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/137gN6WqMLqhV79MoF2-0n489K9wWxLRK/view?usp=drive_link

 Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 24 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it.  If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. 

Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0 

E-transfer/PayPal to thechautauqua@gmail.com 

   Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone: 403-352-3837     

You have no idea what the smallest word, 

the tiniest generosity, can cause to be set in motion...

Mend the part of the world that is within your reach. 

 – Clarissa Pinkola Estes

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

From BEEing  Created by Beth Richardson ©2021 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase 

Creating is something we do for us. 

We do it relieve stress, or to reveal secrets, or to untangle knots, 

or to shine lights. We do it because it is joyous. 

 Even when the subject is painful. Even when the work is painful, 

it’s to bring ourselves and the world to more lightness. 

 - Tom Hart

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

or phone: 403-352-3837

If you have never been called defiant, incorrigible, impossible...

have faith. There is yet time.

  – Clarissa Pinkola Estes

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837