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

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

Duality of caring more and caring less...

working out what’s worth caring more about and letting go of the things that aren’t...

Saying yes and saying no.  Being present and walking away.  

Doing the important things and forgetting those that aren’t.

 Grounded and free…

living in accordance with the important things in YOUR life. 

 - Brooke McAlary

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com 

or phone: 403-352-3837

If you can’t be the one you wish you could be, love the one you are.

 And if you don’t have the life you imagined you would or show have by now, 

how about loving the life you are living? 

 A mystic finds the magic in the midst of the nitty-gritty.  

- Mirabai Starr

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 

January 16, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   This year, I decided I want to be a Hobbit!

   While I am not a diehard Tolkien fan, I have read the books and seen the movies once each.

   I recently read “The Wisdom of the Shire” by Noble Smith, who explains how the Hobbit lifestyle and ethos fits our current lives.

   I personally think we need more cozy comfort and simple pleasures in our lives, especially in these challenging times.

   I love to eat good food - with bread, cheese, and potatoes my go-to comfort foods. I love to curl up in a comfy chair with a good book. I enjoy taking time to watch a sunrise, or just do nothing and rest. I prefer to be barefoot outside in the summer, and inside year round. I love to be creative and do/make things with my hands. I love growing a garden, and eating the fresh produce. I love having great one-on-one conversations with friends and strangers (who then sometimes become friends).

   At heart, I’m a Hobbit, and I plan to embrace a cozy life!

Note: 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/11_Gr8Csx2U6L0C7rD8D_I96IRI7kMuNg/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    

The purpose of desire is to draw us forward into living, 

into what captivates us—

not to help us attain a particular career or creative goal

 or get paid more 

 - Jen Louden

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