From BEEing Created by Beth Richardson ©2021
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase
Friday, 21 November 2025
November 21, 2025 Chautauqua
I often wonder why people find someone who enjoys life and
is joyful so threatening.
I have published The Chautauqua for almost 24 years and I
have had numerous people throughout those years actively try to sabotage, and
outright put me out of business, because the paper is “too joyful,” I’m
enjoying it too much, and that means no one can take it seriously. Why not???
I had an interesting conversation recently with a friend who
mentioned that she had a professor once who didn’t like that she had fun doing
her design assignments in his university class. Personally, I’d have be
thrilled to pieces if I was that prof, knowing that someone enjoyed what I was
teaching them, and confident they would spread more joy.
If joy is so threatening, it’s obviously a sign we all need
more of it!
Note: Ad rates have gone up to cover costs.
There is no charge to submit photos and/or news items,
however, a donation is gratefully accepted.
I invite you to please donate a minimum of $23 in honour
of the 23 years I’ve been in publication. That’s less than a $1/issue for a
year. Receipts available on request. Thank you for your support
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ihM1Te_6TtrgvuKNchRIsQSftoJtLimk/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 23 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!
Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Other animals cycle through periods of activity and simply lounging around.
It’s fundamental in the sense of conservation of energy.
Basically, if you laze around when you can,
you’ll have more gas in the tank to...
be resourceful when the necessity comes.
- Mandi Em
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837
Monday, 17 November 2025
From BEEing Created by Beth Richardson ©2021
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase
Saturday, 15 November 2025
Friday, 14 November 2025
My Artist Voice #43 November 14, 2025
Welcome to my 43rd 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."
This was shared with me, and I'd say the description fits me to a T! I just don't live in a hobbit house (how to make my house feel more like a hobbit house???) I also discovered that there is a hobbit house about an hour and a half from me! Who knew?! https://www.albertamamas.com/stay-in-a-hillside-burrow-in-three-hills/
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I was in the kitchen on Oct. 25th and mixed up a double batch of applesauce blender muffins - my blender was almost not big enough! My house smelt heavenly as they were cooking! This batch was WAY better than my first attempt so this recipe is definitely a keeper!
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.
Well, life took quite the unexpected turn in October. After a rough few months trying to keep the paper going, and faced with potentially more rising costs, I received a call from Black Press on Oct. 15th that they were not going to let me have a Christmas issue larger than 16 pages (usually it's 24-28 pages depending on the number of greetings) because I had a quote for up to 16 pages from the Lethbridge Press, but not for a larger paper. Well, that was unacceptable to me because that would mean a loss of 50-75% of my income from the Christmas issue, at a time when I need all the income I can get to pay their insane printing costs. When I challenged them - can a customer not order what they want? - I was told that if I had more than 16 pages I WOULD be charged the $800+ per week they want to charge me because Black Press STILL INSISTED I'm a 16 page, colour weekly! Even after 5 months of them printing an 8 page, B&W paper twice a month! (Let alone the 23 years I’ve been with them - only the number of pages has changed). Questioning just led to more comments that I would be charged the $800+/weekly (retro to when I started with the Lethbridge press, if I didn't toe the line). Grrrrrr!
Thankfully, out of the blue, I also received a call with an offer to help me out with the printing at a MUCH better cost, so I investigated that offer further, and got a quote from my favourite printer friend. Both were not only a better option than Black Press, but they were also much more willing to support my vision for the paper - keeping the visual look as close to a newspaper as possible as it would no longer be printed on newsprint. I went with the first offer - with major logistics that needed worked out at my end, and I hoped my health was up to it, with the 2nd option as my Plan B if needed.
I contacted Black Press on Oct. 27th and let them know that I would no longer require their services effective immediately. That was a HUGE relief! The response to my announcement from my press liaison guy was "Good for you! I'm glad." Not exactly what I expected.
Then...later that day, my press liaison guy phoned to say that Lethbridge came back with an offer that they wanted me to consider and if I liked it, we could continue as we have been. The offer WAS impressive, but I said I needed to know about the Christmas issue first, and I was told I could have any size I wanted! This year it will be 20 pages just because I already made the changes when I was planning to go with the other option. They phoned back early Tuesday morning with an even better price for the Christmas issue than I expected in my wildest dreams! And, apparently this has all been presented as a new negotiated price between Lethbridge and myself so I don't have the $800+/week threat over me anymore! So, it's life as usual with my printing costs cut in half! Hopefully this will allow me to get my debts from the previous 5 months dealt with and back on track (though I did say it would be really nice if they gave me that new price retro to when I started with Lethbridge, and I was told to not hold my breath on that one!).
Now I'm deep into getting Christmas greetings for my Christmas issue (that is coming very, very fast!).
Celtic Year theme: Joy and Delight (fire, do what brings you joy weekly, how can you bring joy to others?)
Samhain: Imagine and Envision (air, let your imagination soar)
Celebrations:
Two months after I received the bouquet from Telus, I still have a vase of lush greenery from the bouquet on my table!
Oct. 11th I attended the Magnificent Mythical Market in Erskine that was hosted by my neighbour. I received a swag bag full of amazing goodies (!) and a free oracle card (pictured bottom right corner). After I returned home, I took a baggie of small carrots to a neighbour for her early birthday gift, and she gave me some frozen rhubarb, and a pair of sandals that didn't fit her (picture left, top). Unexpected gifts!
While I was at the Mirror Library on Oct. 15th chatting with my niece, the lovely librarian gave me 3 boxes of Harlequins for free!! Yes, I am a reader of Harlequins and have been for years. Back in my teens I had a "wise" adult tell me that they were worse than any other addiction out there (I strongly disagreed) and to quit reading them while I could. Now as a wiser adult myself, I know there are far worse things out in the world, and so I read fluffy Harlequins when I want an escape from the real world when life gets to be too much. And, if you've been reading these letters, you know full well, that I don't ONLY read Harlequins so I'm sure that my moral and intellectual fibre hasn't been compromised beyond repair.
I attended the Community Theatre production of "Dare to Dream Jr: a Disney Musical Review" on Oct. 26th in Bashaw. The cast was wonderful and it was a fun afternoon.
The County completely cleaned up the empty lot a couple of doors north of me (where the fatal fire occurred Dec. 2022), and while the equipment was still on the street, they also put fresh gravel down at my end of the street on Oct. 31st, and got rid of the ruts and holes in front of my place! It's much nicer now, and should also make it, not only easier to park, but easier to shovel the sidewalks this winter.
Halloween evening was very cold and very blustery. I debated whether or not to hand out treats (I do enjoy it though numbers of children trick or treating has dropped dramatically in recent years) - and decided to give it a try as there are a number of new kids in town. As I only had 4 stop last year, I planned for a dozen this year and gave away 8 treats at 6:30 pm when the first ones stopped! My niece stopped and I handed out the last treats at 7 PM so shut down for the night. (I'm SURE there are probably Halloween themed trinkets in the house somewhere, but not accessible enough for me to find quickly). I will obviously have to plan for more next year!
Nov 1st was the dinner concert in Stettler that kicked off the 2025/26 Variety Showcase season. I invited my friend along as a thank you for all the driving and errands she did for me this year. The meal was very good - yes, I ate more than my personal portion size! Jake Semple's tribute to Gordon Lightfoot (one of our great Canadian musical legends) was delightful. The evening was also punctuated by requests for the current score for the World Series game 7. Alas the evening didn't end with the Toronto Blue Jays winning, but still a lovely evening.
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On Nov. 4th, my artist neighbour gave me the book "The Paper Garden: Mrs. Delany begins her life's work at 72" by Molly Peacock. And when I delivered papers on Nov. 6th, I was given some free Old Dutch potato chips (leftover from Halloween treats) - I can't remember the last time I ate some potato chips!?
I've been watching the 2023 CPCA chuckwagon racing season replays online, watching a race each weekend.
The acapella group, Home Free, did it again - this sea shanty came into my awareness after the one I shared last month. It's impossible to listen to this and have a bad day - at least for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDxPb66E9Sg I'm going to have to have a listen to all the songs on their new sea shanty album.
As my yearly theme is Joy & Delight I have been looking a what I can do that brings me more joy. Lately I have been watching Josh Johnson's videos on YouTube. I first heard about him from the Daily Show earlier this year. This video about Canada is a hoot - if you don't want to watch the whole thing, start at the 32 mins mark for his views on Canadian hockey, which is beyond hilarious - I'm not really a hockey fan and I was laughing so hard I had tears pouring out of my eyes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TSmBUl0sPY
I published two more comic strips in the paper and posted them online. Both are repeats from last year.
Recently Completed:
Since the last newsletter...
I completed more mini collages on 4.5x6 mixed media paper.
In Beth's Garden & Yard:
Oct. 12th I woke up to an 1/8th of an inch of rain in the gauge and a skiff of snow on the rooftops and vehicles!
We got a sprinkle of rain before I put the rain gauge away in the garage on Oct. 19th. Then on Oct. 26th I wished the rain gauge was still out as it was pouring rain when I woke up - though, based on the puddles across the street, it probably wasn’t more than 1/8th of an inch.
Nov. 7th was our first snowfall - 4 inches - and I got my snow tires on my car on Nov. 10th! Snow didn't last more than a couple of days due to a lovely Chinook wind.
In Beth's Kitchen:
I was asked last month what I do with ALL of the food I make. To dispel all doubt, I EAT IT! Every single bite! (Except the odd sample I share with others.) That said, I certainly don't eat it all at once, and I freeze a lot of the freezable foods for future meals. Generally, whatever I make lasts me for an entire week of meals or snacks. Truthfully, for me the challenge isn't eating the food, but keeping on top of all of the dirty dishes, that are created in the making of the food, in a timely manner.
Oct. 9th, I sautéed the 2 baby pumpkins/squash (?) in butter.
Oct. 10th, I took the 6 cucumbers (the 5 from my friend and my last one) and removed the seeds, and stuffed them (similar filling to what I stuff peppers with), before I popped them into the oven to cook. The few that didn't fit in the Pyrex dishes, I just sautéed in butter and ate. I froze 4 halves as an experiment. I'll let you know how it goes.
I had a pre-cooked beef roast in the freezer, that was given to me this summer, so cooked that Oct. 11th with some of my small potatoes, onions, and carrots for my Thanksgiving weekend meals. Comfort food! And I whipped cream to eat with my pumpkin apple pie over the weekend.
I still had one pail of apples (from neighbour's branches over the fence in my yard) in the hallway that DESPERATELY needed dealt with so on Oct. 19th I cut up some of the apples and cooked for waffle topping (to go with the rest of the whipped cream I had from Thanksgiving). There were 5-6 completely rotten ones and a few half rotten ones so I salvaged what I could of the remaining apples (and halves) and made 2 cups of applesauce - I was going to freeze it, but decided to just eat it fresh.
I had cherry tomatoes ripening faster than I realized so on Oct. 24th, I put together a tomato & black olive clafoutis.
I had a pie plate of tiny garden cherry tomatoes left so on Oct. 31st, I mixed up a tomato clafoutis and tossed them all in (ripe, semi-ripe, and green) with miscellaneous herbs as they didn't look like they would last much longer if I didn't do something quick.
Nov. 4th I made another Impossible Coconut pie. Just because!
Update on the frozen stuffed cucumbers: I heated them up in the oven from frozen and they were better than I expected - didn't go completely soggy. That said, I won't freeze again, nor do I recommend it.
Jigsaw Puzzles:
Since my last letter, I have been working on a 1,000 piece puzzle and have it about 3/4s completed, so no picture yet.
UFO (UnFinished Object) Update:
I finished reading “Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson” - he was quite the character, though not someone I would really want to travel back in time to meet if I could (I doubt he'd appreciate my outspokenness!)
The next book from the basement box was "The Children's Hour and Twenty Other Selections" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (published in 1887) - it was literally falling apart so a bit of a challenge to read, and went into the recycling when I was done as there was no real way to save it.
After that, the next book was "O. Henry's Short Stories" - I had read a couple of his stories previously ("Gift of the Magi" being the most popular, of course) so was surprised to discover that I actually had read more of the stories in the past than I realized. What I really like about O. Henry as a writer is that he drops clues and sets you up for one type of ending but then stuns you with a completely different (yet obvious in hindsight) ending.
I also started reading the creativity books my neighbour gave me last (?) year. First was "Sark's New Creative Companion" and then I read "Juicy Pens Thirsty Paper" also by SARK - this one I will keep (for now)
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):
Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: I finished hooking another small rug on Oct. 23rd - didn't really turn out the way I wanted it to, but was an experiment and learning process nonetheless.
I looked at the rug every day and finally on Nov. 9th I added some subtle definition and it's closer to what I was trying to convey. Hopefully after I get it fully finished, it will be okay. (fingers crossed) If not, again, it was just for learning techniques.
Lou Reed's Inner Empire Immersion: I've been experimenting with slowing down - helps that the days are shorter and we’re back on normal time - by staying in bed and reading for a bit before I get up in the morning (I used to do that EVERY day till I collapsed in 2013). I'm also doing less activities in my day, and instead of doing a little bit of EVERYTHING, EVERY SINGLE DAY, I'm only doing a couple of creative activities each day. This is also giving me more rest time and space in my day.
Our next online session together was on Oct. 19th at 10:30 pm my time! I thought I might attend, but then around 7 pm that night, I decided I would have to skip it and just watch the replay as that would be too late for me. I also missed our session on Nov. 5th as I was delivering papers - our sessions are scheduled based on the new and full moons, which doesn’t always line up with our solar calendar’s dates!
Physical Activity:
Rebounder: Even though I'm only doing a 1 min/day, it feels like it is getting easier than when I started last December!
"Mystery activity” I’m still doing this DAILY!! My aim is to increase my time to over 1 minute daily!
Works in progress:
Currently, I'm working on...
- 13 inch round mandala acrylic painting
- Era of the Dreamers journal - I usually do something in it every week as it's been a bit slower with the rest of life happening.
- 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) - stalled
- UFO crochet project (not food)
- my next small hooked rug
A good friend was surprised to hear that I had never watched the TV series "Yellowstone" and highly recommended it. It wasn't my plan, yet I ended up watching ALL of Season 2 Thanksgiving Sunday and Monday - with LOTS of breaks between each episode as I can only handle watching a screen for a short period of time. I haven’t started Season 3 yet.
Featured Products for Sale:
For the month of November, I have my Creative Daily Planners available for purchase for a Heart-felt Donation to support The Chautauqua. I do ask for a minimum donation of $25 to also cover potential shipping costs. They make great gifts and can be viewed in person at 4919 47th St., Mirror. Or email thechautauqua@gmail.com to purchase. Thank you for your support.
This is a great time to get back into routines, so I am making 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. 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.
Upcoming Projects:
- 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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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!
Wednesday, 12 November 2025
We know what the world wants from us.
We know we must decide whether to stay small, quiet, and uncomplicated
or allow ourselves to grow as big, loud, and complex
as we were made to be.
- Glennnon Doyle Melton
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837
Monday, 10 November 2025
From BEEing Created by Beth Richardson ©2021
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase
Friday, 7 November 2025
November 7, 2025 Chautauqua
It’s been a crazy
three weeks! Thank you to those who let
me rant! The situation with Black Press
was so difficult, that when I received a wonderfully generous offer (out of the
blue!) to help me, I decided it was my best option to stay in print. I even ended up with a great Plan B. After I
said goodbye to the press last week,
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YpBulL-1KdWkYDP1luQzS00E3hAAW25K/view?usp=drive_link
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 23 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!
Wednesday, 5 November 2025
When real metamorphosis has begun,
we run into a welter of “dissolving” experiences.
We may feel that everything is falling apart,
that we’re losing everyone and everything.
Dissolving feels like death, because it is –
it’s the demise of the person you’ve been.
- Martha Beck
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837
Monday, 3 November 2025
From BEEing Created by Beth Richardson ©2021
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase
Friday, 31 October 2025
Remember, having faith means recognizing the value
of what you are here to contribute to the world
and allowing your actions to be grounded in that truth.
- Marie Forleo
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Things are going to be okay in the end.
Even when they’re not okay in the moment,
eventually they will be.
- Mandi Em
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837
Monday, 27 October 2025
From BEEing Created by Beth Richardson ©2021
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase
Saturday, 25 October 2025
Friday, 24 October 2025
Although it can feel like dropping the ball,
the truth is that some balls are meant to be dropped,
or better: thrown into the abyss completely!
- Mandi Em
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837
Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Joy can be a powerful act of sovereign rebellion
against the systems and contexts that can make life
feel draining and out of your control at times!
- Mandi Em
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837
Monday, 20 October 2025
From BEEing Created by Beth Richardson ©2021
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase
Friday, 17 October 2025
October 17, 2025 Chautauqua
I often have days that feel like they are a month long. This
is not because they feel endlessly long, but rather because I manage to
accomplish almost a month’s work in one day.
The advantage of working that way is I get a
My energy coach challenged me this fall to slow down my
entire life to the speed I would walk in chest-deep water! This should be an
interesting experiment!
***************************************************
Ad rates have gone up to cover costs.
There is no charge to submit photos and/or news items,
however, a donation is gratefully accepted.
I ask you to please donate a minimum of $23 in honour of
the 23 years I’ve been in publication. That’s less than a $1/issue for a
year. Receipts available on request. Thank you for your support.
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oC0y8rfJ7_Hl6ExcKzD7UP6f2ir96Xpy/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue 23 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!
Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Today, we face unprecedented times.
Oh, what we wouldn’t give for just one precented day!
- GennaRose Nethercott
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837
Monday, 13 October 2025
From BEEing Created by Beth Richardson ©2021
email: thechautauqua@gmail.com
or phone: 403-352-3837 to purchase
Saturday, 11 October 2025
Friday, 10 October 2025
My Artist Voice #42 October 10, 2025
Welcome to my 42nd 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.
On Sept. 27th, I decided to try making beet chips with my golden beets (plus 1 red beet) - I used the medium sized ones as they fit in my food processor for ease of slicing. The recipe I had called for dill, garlic powder, and salt/pepper for seasoning - I also added some dried oregano. Also I used some melted meat drippings instead of olive oil because that's what I had on hand. The chips sure SHRUNK, but they tasted great. I ended up with just shy of 2 cups of chips. In future attempts, I think I'll try making them on a higher temperature as they didn't crisp up for a very long time.
For the month of October, I have my 120 page lined journals available for purchase for a Heart-felt Donation to support The Chautauqua. I do ask for a minimum donation of $10 to cover shipping costs. They make great gifts. Email thechautauqua@gmail.com to purchase. Thank you for your support.
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.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
I was quite surprised to answer a knock at my door Sept. 11th and be greeted with this lovely bouquet! A very nice, and incredibly unexpected, gesture on their part. I sent a hand-written thank you for the flowers to the Telus CEO, and included one of my TEA cards. There was a bit of a hiccup as my September statement had too many extra charges (I didn't know the customer care gal was to review before it was sent to me, and she didn't see it till after I got it), but hopefully all will be correct going forward now. Fingers crossed.
I was amazed that most of the flowers lasted 3 weeks before I had to compost them. The greenery is still quite lush looking so I left it in the vase on the table.
Celtic Year theme: Joy and Delight (fire, do what brings you joy weekly, how can you bring joy to others?)
Autumn Equinox: Rebirth and Reinvention (water, rejoice in your rebirth as a new person with a fresh path before you)
Celebrations:
After the massive hassle I had trying to get the power bill changed to my name (had to create a new account and that brought extra challenges and fees!), I was surprised how quick and easy it was to change the gas account to my name (again, had to set up a new account but the transition was seamless). Fingers crossed that everything works out the way it should.
The watercolour set I won back in July for World Watercolor Month arrived on Sept. 16th! I knew I was getting a set of paints, and was surprised to see a paintbrush too!
I missed the Canadian Country Music Awards on Sept. 13th - no TV - and I wasn't able to watch online as the promotion for it said I should have been able to, so I was pleased to see that the show was on the CCMA YouTube site a few days later, and I was able to watch the entire show replay on Sept. 20th. We have a lot of great new talent in this country.
I watched the CPCA race replays almost daily till they automatically deleted (30 days after posted). I figured that was the end of my chuckwagon race enjoyment for this year till I discovered a few videos of previous years’ races from the Calgary Stampede on YouTube! And I found some videos for previous years' CPCA races too! Hallelujah! While I don't plan to watch replays "every" evening all fall and winter (though I certainly could!), 2-3 days per week is sufficient, I’m pleased I found an easy way to continue making this joyful activity a part of my life for a few more months!
I love a good sea shanty and I also love a good acapella group, and this one ticks all the boxes for me and is my new favourite song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppLHWb-unIg
I published two more comic strips in the paper and posted them online. Both are repeats from last year.
Recently Completed:
Since the last newsletter...
I finished my 13 inch "Stainglass Mandala" - painted in acrylics, Posca paint pen, and glitter glue - unfortunately, the lovely sparkle on it doesn't show in the picture.
I completed my 40th cartoon comic sketchbooklet. You can view it here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/1104929638293759
I completed more mini collages on 4.5x6 mixed media paper.
In Beth's Garden & Yard:
With the extreme heat the end of August, and being sick in bed the entire 2nd week of September, my poor garden didn't get the care and attention it really needed. I only watered the most vital food plants so the flowers died on me, and the other plants were pretty sad looking. I picked the last of the 2nd planting of peas on Sept. 11th and pulled the vines.
The two tomato seedlings I'd gotten from my friend earlier in the season were, I was led to believe, regular tomatoes. Instead, they turned out to be two orange cherry tomato plants! Much better option, and something I'd never tried before.
I picked the last of the beans on Sept. 14th and pulled the plants. I picked the last of the cherry tomatoes in my hanging planter from the greenhouse on Sept. 16th and the plant hit the compost. I also picked sage and chocolate mint to dry.
I didn't get back out to the garden till Sept. 24th. I pulled weeds only so I could find the carrots and onions - filled an ice cream pail with both as small and not many! I pulled all the beets and got 4 lbs of golden beets and 4 lbs of red beets that I'd planted for my friend (gave them to her later in the morning). I also cut down thistles as tall as my shoulders by the north fence and filled a 5 gallon pail - very tightly packed! There are still so many around the garden, and as they went to seed, I'm sure they will produce next year too. Grrr. I discovered more mystery seeds growing - can't tell what they are yet, and I saw 2 marble sized fruit on the pumpkin/squash/gourd plants!
I managed to get the carrots and onions washed after lunch, but I felt too tired to touch the beets. Washed the beets on Sept. 25th.
Sept. 27th, I emptied my 2nd rain barrel completely. I pulled my cucumber plants - they weren't getting enough water and weren't really producing. I am glad I got some cucumbers this year as it was looking pretty bleak for most of the summer.
Sept. 30th, I went out and spent 1.75 hrs harvesting the plants along the house. That was my 2nd picking of peppers! If we’d gotten rain in September, as well as nice weather, the peppers would have been really big! The melons did better than it looked like they were going to - granted, they may not be developed when I cut them all open. The two tiny objects below the grapes, are my two "mystery seed" pumpkins/squash/gourds/??? - I was surprised when I saw them - alas, not enough season left (or moisture) for them to fully mature so I could tell for sure what they were. I also completely emptied my final rain barrel and put it away for the winter.
A friend gave me a bag of tomatoes and cucumbers on Oct. 2nd.
I made it out to the garden on Oct. 3rd and dealt with the final row of carrots - about half were only tops, but I managed to fill an ice cream pail with carrots and another pail with some of the carrot tops to dry. I also picked a small handful of SHORT rhubarb stalks. That's the harvest completely finished for the year!
My neighbour arrived Oct. 4th and trimmed my front dwarf lilacs - the biggest concern was that they were over the sidewalk so I don't need to worry about that any more. I washed the carrots - had to take many breaks to rest. My carrot crop turned out better than I expected. After assessing the carrot tops more closely, I was disappointed that they were in worse shape than I realized, so they all ended up in the compost.
I was glad everything was in the house because we had a killing frost the morning of Oct. 5th! My neighbour returned to do a final mowing and trimming of my lawn before winter. He also pruned the two flowering plum bushes in front of the solarium. My front yard is visible again!!
As the forecast for the Thanksgiving weekend was calling for snow, I went out Oct. 8th and tossed the plant pots I wanted to keep back into the garage, plus the plant pots that were around the labyrinth. I emptied the 2 pepper pots. The rest of the pots are on the deck in the sale. I also trimmed the double peony and used the leaves as mulch for a couple areas I wanted covered for the winter. All in all, I was outside about an hour. If nothing else gets done for winter prep, I have the most important tasks done now.
In Beth's Kitchen:
It took me a while to get myself back on track so it wasn't until after lunch on Sept. 20th before I was able to put together an Oregano, Tomato Cheddar clafoutis - a neighbour gave me some red cherry tomatoes the day before, and I used my own orange cherry tomatoes, plus I added fresh basil, dill, and thyme.
September 21st, I decided to try a more savoury clafoutis with apples, and I added cheddar cheese. While it was tasty, the sweeter (dessert) version was my favourite of the two.
I had produce ripening faster than I could deal with it so on Oct. 5th I pulled out a larger Pyrex dish and made a tomato/green pepper clafoutis with all of the ripe orange cherry tomatoes and the smaller green peppers. I also used 2% milk and added basil and dill to it.
The tomatoes from my friend were riper than I realized when I first looked at them, so I took all the large ones and blended them up (with some salt and dried basil) and made 2 cups of tomato juice.
I dealt with the carrots and put them in the fridge, except for all the really small ones. I had a carrot "fries" recipe I've wanted to try, and decided to use the small carrots, rather than cutting up the larger ones. I didn't have the right cheese for the recipe, so I used nutritional yeast instead, and I used the last of the melted meat drippings for the oil. I also added dill to the called for spices of onion salt, garlic powder, salt and pepper. I'm not sure if I'll make again as they didn't "crisp" as they were supposed to - though, they sure smelt and tasted great!
Oct. 7th, I decided to try a Pumpkin Apple pie recipe I recently came across. To make life easier, I used a pre-made pie shell, and I really should have had a "deep dish" one instead of a regular one. I had to do a wee bit of tweaking to the recipe to allow for the ingredients I had on hand.
Later in the day, I stuffed the remaining 6 green peppers I had - chopped onion, teeny tomatoes, grated cheese, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and herbs/spices.
I had enough ingredients so made a second pumpkin apple pie Oct. 8th, and froze it. I made a batch of rhubarb cinnamon buns with the last of my fresh rhubarb.
Jigsaw Puzzles:
Since my last letter, I completed a 1,000 piece puzzle...
...and a 300 piece one that certainly fits the season.
UFO (UnFinished Object) Update:
On Sept. 12th I closed a whole bunch of open website tabs on my computer. While the topics and information may have been important (or seemed important) at one time, I'm in a completely different place now so could let most go (full disclosure: half of the links no longer even worked so easy decision to close). As well, I had a lot of open tabs that were recipes I wanted to try so on Sept. 13th, I decided what I still wanted to give a go, downloaded those recipes, and closed the tabs.
Sept. 27th, I watched a free 3-video class on writing/illustrating picture books that I signed up for back in May. Honestly, even for a freebie, it wasn't a great class so I'm glad that's done and I could close the tab and unsubscribe from the gal's email list.
I finally sold mom's liftchair! That was a nice LARGE item to get out of the house, and created some nice open space in the basement.
I’m still reading “Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson.” It’s neat to read how Johnson, and other authors in his circle, rated their contemporaries' literature who are now considered our “classics.” (If Johnson and gang had their way, we wouldn't have had some of them to read in this day and age!). Also, it highlights how different our society is now from the late 1700s! Overall, as a society, we have really lost the ability to have civil discussions were people are encouraged to disagree with each other, and yet remain steadfast friends.
Courses and Challenges (free and paid):
Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: I finished hooking another small rug on Sept. 21st. An experiment with hooking different coloured yarns together to create new colours. Also, the first time I've used a real textured yarn.
Lou Reed's Inner Empire Immersion: our Opening Ceremony was Sept. 22nd (my time), and it was a small intimate group on live, including Lou. We did a journal ceremony ritual, and the main take-away for me was that I need to slow down and bring more stillness into my life! The suggestion/example Lou gave me was to go through my life at the same speed I would walk if I was in water up to my neck! That will be quite the challenge!!
Our first session was on Oct. 6th (my time) and we're now entering the beginning of our journey together.
Demi Fox hosted a free 3-day Sacred Way of the Priestess of Avalon immersion October 6-8th. I was able to watch all three Zoom sessions live. I’d love to take her year-long program.
Kiala Givehand’s 7 Books in 7 Days course: I still have ideas for books I want to make.
Physical Activity:
Rebounder: I'm only doing a 1 min/day.
"Mystery activity” I’m still doing this DAILY!! My aim is to increase my time to over 1 minute daily!
Works in progress:
Currently, I'm working on...
- 13 inch round mandala acrylic painting
- Era of the Dreamers journal - I usually do something in it every day
- personal smashbook for some 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) - stalled right now
- UFO crochet project (not food)
- my next small hooked rug
A good friend was surprised to hear that I had never watched the TV series "Yellowstone" and highly recommended it. I haven't started Season 2 yet.
Featured Products for Sale:
The Fall is a great time to get back into routines, so I am making 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. 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.
Upcoming Projects:
- 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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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
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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!
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