From Traditional Wisdom: Proverbs for Everyday Life Created by Beth Richardson ©2020 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase 

June 5, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   You may recall my garden last year was planted with a bunch of ancient mystery seeds from Dad’s seed box. In the end, all that came up from all those mystery seeds was 2 pumpkin plants that yielded 2 tennis ball sized pumpkins.

   I honestly thought I had planted ALL of the old seeds last year, but this spring, I discovered even MORE old seeds in the house! Mainly “flower seeds” (the very unspecific label on them) so I planted all of those in my flowerbeds, and we’ll see what comes up this year, if any.

   Something new this year, as I was given a seed starting kit, was to start some seeds. I’ve never done that before because my parents never did it. The onion, parsley and watermelon seeds of an unknown age didn’t sprout at all. Thankfully, the seeds I bought last year did. I also received some seed potatoes from a neighbour, and I have been busy planting them. By the time you read this, my garden should hopefully (fingers crossed) be all planted. It’s only half done at time of writing.

   Another new venture I am trying is a mini indoor garden. Fingers crossed it grows!

 

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/1Vd8fpBgU1eCiDAMZS0g_BD_mDY56mNp1/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      

Our prayer becomes a prayer of thanks

 for the opportunity to choose which creation we experience.

  Through our thanks, we honor all possibilities 

and bring the ones we choose into this world. 

 - quoted by Gregg Braden

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

From Traditional Wisdom: Proverbs for Everyday Life Created by Beth Richardson ©2020 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase 

Sometimes the simplest things done up the right way

are the most delicious.  

- Noble Smith

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

Prosperity is not measured in gold, 

but rather in fine health, good company, 

and delicious things to eat and drink. 

 - Noble Smith

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

From Traditional Wisdom: Proverbs for Everyday Life Created by Beth Richardson ©2020 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase 

Saturday Morning Comic 

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

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; 

whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; 

love more; and all good things are yours. 

 - Swedish proverb

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

I have never tried that before,

so I think I should definitely be able to do it.  

- Pippi Longstocking

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

 or phone: 403-352-3837

From Traditional Wisdom: Proverbs for Everyday Life Created by Beth Richardson ©2020 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase 

May 15, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   I recently read “The Paper Garden: Mrs. Delany Begins Her Life’s Work at 72” by Molly Peacock. Mary Delany is credited with creating the art form of collage in the late 1700’s - though not collage as we think of it today.

   Mrs. Delany created very elaborate, botanically accurate, floral “paper mosaicks” (her term) with multiple pieces of watercoloured papers precisely cut out. Considering what was available to her, the artworks have survived the test of time better than some art forms.

   I was fascinated with the woman herself as she was friends with the likes of Handel, Jonathan Swift, King George III, and so many more.

   One fact that blew my mind, was that after her husband died, and she suffered a health setback resulting from the stress of caring for him for years, she regained her health, writing ability, and more by copying out BY HAND the entire 400+ pages of one of her favourite books. That’s dedication!

 

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/1JnJGYCEaCHQMgELHIZ6KlRPS_8Gs30Zw/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     

To dare is to lose your foothold for a moment, 

to not dare is to lose yourself. 

 - Swedish saying

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

From Traditional Wisdom: Proverbs for Everyday Life Created by Beth Richardson ©2020 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase