My Artist Voice #48 April 10, 2026

   Welcome to my 48th 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'm not sure where this meme came from, but it's a delightful one!  And that is the perfect occupation.

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?) 

[SPRING/PLANT/SEEDS]: Give into Passion (fire, let yourself go and follow your bliss, replenish yourself with joy and passion)

Spring Equinox: Healing Waters (water, take a healing bath)

Celebrations: 

 

   It's now 7 months later, and the greenery from the Telus bouquet is STILL lush in the vase on the table! 

   Mar. 22nd, my friend and I went to the Stettler Variety Showcase concert - Michael Harrison: Ventastic - a very talented, and extremely hilarious, ventriloquist.  There were a number of young children in the audience, and they really made the show!

   I had tickets for the Bashaw Community Theatre's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" on March 29th, unfortunately I was very sick that day and missed it.  So disappointing.

  When I delivered papers Apr. 1st, I got a box of free wire hangers - it was a good deal as I ended up with 20 hangers to cover!  I also was given 4 free books later in the day. 

   I watched Hallmark movies on the Global app on my ipad and 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 previous years.

Recently Completed:

Since the last newsletter, I...

   I completed 28 covered coathangers.  I've been completing an average of 1/day.  I sell the covered hangers for $2 each.

   I finally got organized (again) and completed more mini collages on 4.5x6 mixed media paper.

In Beth's Kitchen:

   Mar. 13th, I dealt with the last 3 potatoes from my garden.  The largest one I turned into fries - they ended up cooked a wee bit too much (I got distracted), but overall, I'm impressed as they turned out better than any of my previous attempts through the years - the trick is to boil them briefly before popping them in the oven!  One of the other potatoes was rotten inside (grrr) so that only left one to try the potato waffle recipe again - this time I used my mini waffle iron (should have used the other times but I thought it would be too "mini" to work) - best result yet, but not worth repeating.  In the future, I'll just make regular waffles.

   Mar. 21st, I made a half batch of oatcakes - I even managed to get most of them thin enough!

   Then, I took a dribble of (thawed) banana I had in the freezer - it wasn't enough to really use in a recipe so I wasn't sure what I would do with it - and mixed up the recipe for Banana Bites.  Instead of making it into the "bites," I instead rolled it out and made cinnamon rolls with it.  It turned out better than I expected, so I'll try this again with applesauce and see how it goes.

   That evening I mixed up the dough for almond flour shortbread cookies - added some crushed dried orange for a twist.  Mar. 22nd, I made 3 dozen shortbread cookies.  They melt in the mouth!

   Mar. 23rd, I made a savoury clafoutis with kidney beans, onion, roasted peppers and spices.  That cleaned some foods out of my freezer and cupboard.

   Mar. 24th, I made an Impossible Coconut pie as I had the ingredients on hand.

   I had a little 2% milk left, so on Mar. 26th I made a batch of Belgium waffles and froze half of them.

Jigsaw Puzzles

   Since my last Letter, I FINALLY finished the 1,000 piece puzzle!  This was by far the most challenging puzzle I've ever completed, and I was surprised because it didn't look like it would be that hard.

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.  I make sure that I let go of (or put away, or finish) at least one physical item per day, and delete at least one computer file per day.  At this point, I'm still going for the easy win, so am focussing on really easy items - ie items that should have been dealt with AGES ago!  Some of my bigger highlights so far...

   - Mar. 20th I used the 2nd incense stick to do a simple Feng Shui clearing in my house in honour of the Spring Equinox.

   - Sunday will be Day #100 of releasing 1 digital and 1 physical item DAILY this year!

   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):

  I signed up for Karen Abend's annual (free) Sketchbook Revival online retreat.  It officially starts this weekend.  Every year I sign up, but only the first year did I make the journal/sketchbook (she gives a pre-retreat journal making session).  After watching this year's session, I decided the journal was unique enough (an Australian piano hinge structure) that I needed to make one.  And even better, I have all the supplies here in the house!  That will also help with the decluttering process.  I started folding coloured cardstock (what I have on hand) for the journal pages this week.  Fingers crossed I have the journal(s?) made by my next Letter.

  Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: I WILL get back to this very soon!

Physical Activity:

   Mar. 12, 13 & 14th I shovelled an inch of snow.  Then on Mar. 25 and 26th, I shovelled 2 inches of snow each day.  I also shovelled 2 inches of heavy wet snow on Apr. 2nd.  We had more snow during that time, but it wasn't a lot and melted quickly.

   Rebounder: For a month now, I've been doing 10 minutes of the health bounce, four times per day.  Haven't noticed any obvious changes in my health or body yet.  Even though it's such a simple bounce, I sure feel it in my legs most days.  Thankfully, it is something that is completely doable for me where I am in my life and health.

 

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

Works in progress:

Currently, I'm working on...

- Era of the Dreamers journal 

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

- mini collages 

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

- UFO crochet project (not food) - on hold 

- my next small hooked rug (on hold)

- I have my 13 inch round canvas that I started in Lou's program last year (that I got kicked out of) and I'm trying to decide what to cover it with.

   A good friend was surprised to hear that I had never watched the TV series "Yellowstone" and highly recommended it.  I  started watching season 1 of the Yellowstone prequel "1923" this week.

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 

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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!

Faith becomes the acceptance of our power 

as a directive force in creation.

 - Gregg Braden

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 

April 3, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   I had just one item left to add into this issue and then it would be done and ready to go to the press. Just ONE single item!

   And that’s when life went sideways and everything fell apart.

   I couldn’t open the file to add the final item no matter what I tried to do. (And after 24 years of various technological hiccups, I do have a trick or two up my sleeve in times like this).

   That meant I had no choice but to start the whole paper over from scratch and recreate all 8 pages. Sigh………………...

   I really hope I haven’t forgotten or missed anything. Fingers crossed!

   In other news, I knew that writing about the jigsaw puzzle would result in some progress. The jury is still out on the state of my life.

   At the time of writing (2 weeks since the previous), I now have a quarter of the puzzle complete, and I’m making more headway on it each day.

 

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/1lpV0Xl8Hb9GJGPvJ5n5h9ke8VuGOZFm0/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         

Any fool can make a rule – And every fool will mind it.  

- Henry David Thoreau

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

Sometime during the most distressing and awful times, 

the world needs hopeful art to help us survive. 

 - Scott Christian Sava

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

You’re allowed to be an artist and not be overly dramatic about it. 

 You’re allowed to be a happy artist.  

You’re allowed to be a well-adjusted artist.  

You’re allowed to be a perfectly normal artist…

that doesn’t in ANY way make you less of an artist.  

- Scott Christian Sava

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 

March 20, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   I’ve mentioned before how much I absolutely love doing jigsaw puzzles.

   I always have a puzzle on the go, and I usually put at least one piece in every day. Of course, there are many days I do much more.

   I am currently working on a 1,000 piece puzzle I started back on November 15th. I put the edge pieces together with ease, and then it got significantly more challenging than I expected. So much so, that since November 15th, I have barely put 50 inside pieces together!

   I know what the puzzle looks like, I have the pieces all in front of me, but I have no idea which pieces go together, and where.

   In a way, that’s how 2026 has felt so far. I have an idea of the “big picture” for my life this year, and I have many “pieces” that I can use to create that life, yet it seems very challenging (with EVERYTHING going on) to put any of the pieces together to create what I want.

   How about you?

 

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/1SuFm5McARwhON58DtulPPuiJxqiToiTt/view?usp=sharing

 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        

When we feel powerless to confront injustice in this world, 

we have art to make us powerful enough to topple entire kingdoms.

When we can’t find the words to describe our pain and loss, 

we have art to speak for us and express how we feel.  

When we can no longer see the good in people, 

art will give us hope and bring us together.  

The world needs us artists.  It needs our art in whatever form we wish to create...

The world needs messy art.  Beginner art.  Unfinished art. 

Overworked art.  Unremarkable art.  “I have no idea what I’m doing art.” 

 - Scott Christian Sava

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