I really think we
need another month between November and December, especially this year! How can half of December be gone already? Winter Solstice is just around the corner
with Christmas a mere week away, which means 2022 is coming up fast.
2021 was quite the
year. No matter what ups and downs you
may have experienced along the way, I’m positive that you can find at least
one, if not more, things to be thankful for that happened in the past year.
I know that when I
was looking around January 1st, I had no idea what would unfold this year in my
life. A few of 2021’s highlights:
• I FINALLY got
the sidewalk edging completed in the yard (it’s been on the to-do list for
years) and I did it all by myself (which I didn’t think would ever be a
possibility) AND I mowed my lawn for the first time ever in my entire life! Thankfully, the year didn’t require constant
lawnmowing.
• I tweaked and
enhanced my garden labyrinth and had a much better harvest than last year (except
for the potatoes). I have ideas for how
I can make it even better next year (fingers crossed).
• I biked a total
of 741.5 kms and biked daily for 23 consecutive weeks, till November 15...Last
year, my first year biking in decades, totalled 274.5 kms with 18 consecutive
weeks of daily biking
• I have completed
almost 600 daily sky drawings on my ipad.
Honestly, I had no idea that the ipad would be the best artistic medium
for me, but it seems to have really made my expression easier.
• For a lark I
submitted a couple of proposals to a couple of art galleries and one was
accepted and expanded!
• I participated
in a 10-Day singing/songwriting immersion - writing 10 songs and posting videos
of me singing them online
• I published 3
new card decks and had my very first online sale
While we can always find something to grumble and complain about, there is also lots to be thankful for, if we just shift our focus around. May you all have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2022!
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XwqdlUfYLLdFsZJTml2mHSKbnab7SDni/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 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. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
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!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
I survived the
singing/songwriting 10-Day Immersion!!!! AND, I wrote 10 songs!!!!!! PLUS, I shared videos of me singing those
songs publicly online! OH MY!
I had a few very
kind souls tell me how brave they thought I was. I sure didn’t feel brave. In fact, I was so scared stiff that, on the
third day, the Immersion leader told me (very lovingly, thankfully) to stop
saying how scared I was and just have fun!
I have always been
the quiet, sit in the back of the classroom and observe person, so one thing I’ve
discovered (or rediscovered?) in the past few years, is that I need to really
show up to what I do, or participate in - it’s so very true that you get out of
something what you put in. And let me
tell you, it’s WAY easier to observe than to participate!
So, not only did I
show up each day for the Immersion, but I wrote the song each day, videoed
myself singing the song, and then shared the video each day, not only in the
supportive safety of the Immersion group, but out in the wider social media and
internet world. OH MY!
Unofficially, the
favourite, amongst friends and participants, was my spoken word song - which
was very similar in style to my Ponderings and can be viewed/experienced here:
https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/249614037234099
I then took this
whole process a giant leap further, and signed up for the follow-up 7 week
program, which will begin in January. Who
knows where this will all lead me, or what this adventure will lead to next?!
I also realized, through this journey, that you don’t need to feel brave to do anything, or even know what you are doing, you just need to show up and then take the very next step!
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bqwDpBp1toe5kbmyTNeIpxXLIwYW5KXC/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 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. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
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!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
It’s time for an
update into my wild and adventurous life, as I’ve shared what I’ve been doing,
but I haven’t shared the results yet.
At the end of
October I finally heard back from the first gallery that I had submitted the
proposal to back in August, and...they said No.
They had more submissions than expected and could only select six. So, I was disappointed, but it was still a
good experience for me to submit the proposal.
Later, the same
day, they reached out regarding the second smaller proposal I’d submitted for
the smaller gallery, that they had accepted in August. It seems that they were quite impressed with my first proposal (even though they didn’t
accept it) and want to EXPAND my second proposal to include most (but not all) of
the artwork from my first proposal! WOW!
That means, I’ll
will be experiencing my very first art exhibition some time in January - at the
time of this writing, we’re still working out details - and it will be even
better than what I had proposed, as they really want to focus on how I developed
the daily practice I have now, and how it has informed the scope of my output. Again, more details to follow as they are
finalized.
I thought submitting the proposals was a leap out of my comfort zone, but they were NOTHING compared to what I’m in the midst of doing now for a creative stretch! I signed up for a 10-Day singing/songwriting immersion, and I can’t not believe that I am actually writing songs and singing them! The very first song was a chant literally based on the card pictured to the right! This is certainly an adventure!
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Eh5OyOaeYkUpgXguKVKftFGOeWka-oVH/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 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. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
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!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
At my recent
acupuncture appointment, I was given another piece in this puzzle of my health
journey. It seems I’m “Yin Deficient,
which means, in a nutshell, my “constitution” is continuously revving so hard
and fast that it is literally draining the energy from my body, which never gets
a chance to really slow down and relax. Hmmmm
- lying exhausted on the couch doesn’t count as relaxed it seems!
I’m already doing
the usual methods of slowing down and relaxing - which includes daily breath
work, meditation, and yoga - so for the next month, we’re going to experiment
with restoring my balance via food.
In the past (ie pre-8
years ago), my version of balanced eating was 50 - 70% healthy foods and 30 - 50%
sinfully indulgent (ie dessert) foods, and by and large, that system seemed to
work for me, though, of course, we now know it didn’t totally work. Though there were some aspects that did work,
I didn’t think much of it as we had found out that food wasn’t the underlying
issue that I needed to worry about.
This time, to
restore balance, I need to eat more “Yin foods,” which thankfully for me,
includes cheese, eggs, honey, dairy, pineapple, tomatoes and other items that I
do like and eat. I’m also to increase my
consumption of kidney beans and beef (or pork) kidneys - now that last one I
may need to work up to as I honestly can’t remember the last time I had kidney,
though I know it was in a steak & kidney pie.
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1diGEqWLZUuI5_xO_DkZOOSCVlPmgeMDy/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 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. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
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!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
I didn’t get all the garden produce in by the time the last
issue was on newsstands, and, at the time of this writing, I’m still bringing
it in, but I should have it all in before the weather gets colder and
potentially winter-like.
Here we are on the eve of another election. This one has a
bit more to it as we will be voting for Senators, as well as two referendum
questions: one regarding equalization payments (which have never put the
provinces on an equal playing field), and the second, regarding Daylight Saving
Time (again something that never accomplished what it was “supposed” to).
Now voting on the questions isn’t that big a deal, however,
the Daylight Savings one is poorly worded and should have been 2 questions (in
my opinion). As it is worded now, a Yes vote means permanent daylight time and
no clock changing, whereas a No means we continue to change our clocks. Where
is the not changing our clocks and remaining on Standard time option?
I am not a fan of changing the clocks, but I am even LESS of
a fan of Daylight Savings Time. If you think winter days are short now, well,
they will feel REALLY short because the sun won’t rise till after
There are studies about how harmful Daylight Savings time is
to our physical and, even more so, mental and emotional health, hence the
return to Standard time in the winter, so why should we vote for something that
will adversely affect our mental/emotional health?
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IZQBb2hrjwIAqFgnR9Aq5tpPLuYGM3tY/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 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. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
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!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
When life seems a
little (or a LOT) crazy, it is always a good idea to take your eyes off the
craziness for a moment and look at what is working - in other words, count your
blessings and what you are thankful for.
Here is a small
sample of my own list…
• beautiful
sunrises, and that I am able to capture some of their amazing beauty in my
daily ipad drawings
• I am able to bike
every day - even if it is only 1.5 kms – and 1 day I biked 9 kms!!!!!!!!!! (not
bad for this only being my second year of biking in decades)
• I have food to
eat from the garden (hopefully by the time you read this it will all be
harvested), and a roof over my head
• I have a number
of wonderful friends - especially my two Aussie buddies - who are here for me
when I need them to share a laugh, a helping hand, or to share a tear
• there are so
many wonderful topics to learn about in our world
• I am so
fortunate to publish this paper twice a month, and I have a wonderfully
supportive and appreciative readership. Thank
you so much to all of you!
May you take a moment to reflect on the good things in your life this Thanksgiving month.
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vt3aVTUV5N0D4rzASWnQzLyFk4liIgJC/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 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. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
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!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
Have you noticed
the world seems to be getting crazier and crazier? So much so, that it’s getting harder to know
what is really going on, and whom you can trust.
And on that note,
we are on the eve of a federal election, and I sincerely hope you all vote. Whether you agree that we should be having an
election now or not, and whether you agree with the candidates or not, we all
need to do our civic duty and vote. While
we are interested in the party leaders and what they stand for, it is even more
important to vote for the best local representative for your riding - not to
make sure a particular party does or doesn’t get elected (that strategy usually
tends to backfire) - so that local issues can be acknowledged and addressed. Besides, only by voting do you have a
legitimate right to complain afterwards if things don’t go the way you want.
And it’s the same
for the municipal elections which will be held next month. There is still time to submit nomination
papers if you feel called to run for office.
Though, running for office is much more than just running to make sure a
certain-so-in-so doesn’t get elected, or to put your own agenda forward, it’s
about working to make the whole municipality a better place for all citizens. If you don’t feel called to run for office,
than still take part in the process by voting for your next council.
We may grumble and complain about elections, for various reasons, but the alternative of having no elections, and therefore no say, is by far much worse.
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16sANlrKwrkKl5zqiasukr8X5xyh40tcD/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 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. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
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 via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
Well, life is
certainly changing - almost feels like it racing out of control, to be truthful.
First off, how can
it be September already?! Where is the
year go? Just a reminder to be careful
when driving around schools as the kids are back in class.
Secondly, I did
finish and send in the proposal to the gallery that I mentioned last time, and
I’m still waiting to hear back. On a
lark, because I saw another Call to Artists for another, smaller, gallery, I
send off a second proposal the same day (which was much simpler compared with
the first as I wasn’t required to submit as much information). Two days later I heard back that the second
proposal was accepted!!!! I will know
more after September 14th, after staff return from holidays.
I honestly have no idea where this new direction will take me, but it will be an adventure, no matter what happens.
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sSoyZAaJRtapLnfQ5B44VDxjzCaupWzv/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 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. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
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 via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
Ever have an image
of yourself that you’ve had for a very long time, and then something in your
life changes, and you have a hard time accepting the new image or way of being?
I have an
opportunity to answer a Call to Artists this month for the chance to be part of
an exhibit at an art gallery n the province.
Part of me is bouncing up and down wildly with excitement as this Call
is open to beginner artists, and a variety of visual art media types, and it’s
an amazing opportunity.
But……………………..
Another part of me
is having a very hard time wrapping my head around how to present myself as an
artist. Yes, I know I’ve been painting
and drawing for a while - and I’ve even shared images of my artwork in The
Chautauqua for the past 2 or so years - BUT, I’ve been a writer for so much longer,
and it feels way more comfortable to present myself that way.
Now, on the plus
side, I have a lot of artworks and creativity to choose from to include in the
proposal, but at the same time, I almost have too many options and it’s hard to
decide. On the plus side, this isn’t the
first time I’ve submitted my artwork to be considered for an exhibit, but on
the other hand, it’s the first time I’ve actually had to submit a proposal (vs
just sample images) and artist CV and I’m nervous about that.
All in all, no matter what the end result, this will definitely be a growing and stretching process for me. And who knows, by the time my proposal is submitted, I just might be able to accept that I am an artist too!
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nNJsRR_Z2C0q4FkAUv2bfmzq7m3Dev_P/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 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. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
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 via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
