Friday, 19 August 2022

August 19, 2022 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   August has been a ridiculously busy month, and looks like it will continue to be right to the end.

   The month started with the end of my art show in Donalda.  It was a great experience, and I’m so glad I said Yes to it.  I especially enjoyed sharing my artist journey and art process with the people who attended the Meet and Greet on July 23rd.

   Of course, the garden is producing.  I didn’t get many raspberries this year, as about half rotted before I could pick them as I ended up sick in bed the last week of July (when we had the extreme heat and humidity).  My poor crabapple tree - which honestly we thought was dead a handful of years ago - produced a bumper crop this year (I’m not sure how exactly!), but I had to pick the crabapples early as the tree is rotting from the bottom so has to come down (actually it should be down by the time you read this) - it’s bittersweet as that is the last of the trees that my parents planted in the yard when we first moved to Mirror in 1979.  Needless to say, I’ll be processing a LOT of crabapples in the coming days.  And I’ve had two large pickings of rhubarb that I turned into juice.  There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a cold glass of rhubarb juice.  I also had enough tomatoes to make some tomato soup - I tried that last year for the first time, and it worked so well, I had to make more this year.

   Also this month, we are working on the edits for my 10 songs for my music album.  Hard to believe that the 4 month program will be wrapping up the first week in September!  I have trusted friends reviewing my songs and giving feedback, which has been very helpful.  At this point, my album release is set for October, but there is a tiny possibility that it could be released sooner.  Part of that timeline is dependent on whether or not I have my book - based on the artist journey structure I used for my art show in Donalda - ready to be printed/published in September.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iqx6DVaqqZTi0ohU5XZtDNIiGeGitBKb/view?usp=sharing

   Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 20 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