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

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase 

August 7, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   I recently watched a video of a British guy who was able to purchase his childhood home 30 years after his family moved out of it. The video mentioned that many people in their late 30’s to their 50’s are more nostalgic for their childhoods, and either trying to purchase their childhood homes, or purchase items they remember being in their homes when growing up.

   Personally, I’m in a unique position as I do live in the home we moved into when I was 6 years old. Truthfully, if I didn’t live here already, I’m not sure I’d seek it out to buy, but maybe? I often thought that had life circumstances been different, I would have been interested in buying one or both of my grandparents’ homes. But then again, maybe not. It’s nice to dream, but one does have to factor in reality.

   As for items from my childhood, I’m not actively looking because my sister and I already own many of my parents’ various belongings. They aren’t merely a memory, but are just part of my regular life.

 

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. 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/13IukE9GeDZv53Ajt7xMlTMxDKejqh2gJ/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       

Now and then I leave the big city of my messy, polluted head, 

travel down the coast of my body, 

and take a retreat in the cabin of my little toe. 

 - Darby Hudson

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 

Being human isn’t a punishment, or something we need to endure, or transcend.  

Being human is the whole point. 

 -Meggan Watterson

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

The greatest weapon against stress 

is our ability to choose one thought over another.  

 - William James

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

We don’t quit things because they’re hard,

 we quit things because they’re wrong. 

We quit to make room for better. 

So untie the bundle of expectations from on your back;

 it makes your steps too heavy and the slope too steep. 

 - Kelly Corrigan

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

As you get older, wearier, and hunched,

 the body transforms from an exclamation point into a question mark. 

 And slowly the world becomes less solved, more mysterious.  

- Darby Hudson

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 

July 17, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   When I was young, my parents would often take us for a drive exploring gravel roads we’d never travelled on before.

   At each intersection we were faced with the choice of turning left or right, or continuing straight ahead, knowing full well (after we made our choice) we may never make it back to explore the other two options.

   We saw some great scenery, and often ended up in places we never expected as we followed the odd barely-there trail through field or trees.

   In the 2 - 3 years before I had my health collapse, Mom and I also ventured out to explore gravel roads on many a weekend.

   This June, on a couple of occasions, I managed to end up on unknown gravel roads and was amazed I’d never driven them before as I’ve lived in this area for 40+ years!

   I saw new sights, but all the rain we’ve received made for some very muddy roads with deep puddles and I was worried I might get stuck in spots!

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. 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/1dQD-oPYHwSRSu_6CnvIpTxZzvbJXoqEa/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         

I lie in bed mid-afternoon and, like a large bookmark of my life,

 fold the page of the blanket across my body and take a nap. 

 - Darby Hudson

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