Wednesday, 30 April 2025

The tiniest story in your life can deeply touch another.  
You cannot know the effect your story might have.  
Please let your stories be heard.  
- SARK

Monday, 28 April 2025



From May I  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Friday, 25 April 2025

Gratitude and reciprocity are the currency of a gift economy, 
and they have the remarkable property of multiplying 
with every exchange, their energy concentrating 
as they pass from hand to hand, a truly renewable resource.
 - Robin Wall Kimmerer

Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Recognizing “enoughness” is a radical act in an economy
that is always urging us to consume more...
Imagine the outcome if we each took only enough, 
rather than far more than our share.  
The wealth and security we seem to crave 
could be met by sharing what we have. 
 - Robin Wall Kimmerer

Monday, 21 April 2025



From May I  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Friday, 18 April 2025

April 18, 2025 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   I’ve been hearing a few people express their extreme displeasure in Alberta, and Canada. 

   If you are truly that unhappy, you are more than free to leave.  If you feel that the grass is better and greener south of the 49th, by all means, move there, and be happy.

   HOWEVER…

   If/when you do leave, and no one is stopping you from going, you travel alone.  You DO NOT get to take me, my province, nor my country with you when you go!!  Alberta remains in Canada! (Thankfully the majority of residents agree, and the process is QUITE onerous to leave)

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   On April 2nd I received a phone call to let me know that the press that prints the Chautauquas for me is closing the end of April.  (Thanks for the advanced warning folks!)

   I am investigating options to continue to print the Chautauqua, and will keep you posted. 

   After going through the quote process last year, I’m really hoping for better results this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vote on April 28th!

Beth


Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aOyydNwH2Ul9ViNLgDsNSCw-Iwx95fny/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!

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua   

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

We are to be grateful for what we are able to give away
 as well as being thankful for the gifts of life we receive. 
 - Jamie Sams

Monday, 14 April 2025



From May I  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Saturday, 12 April 2025

Saturday Morning Comic 


email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

Friday, 11 April 2025

My Artist Voice #36 April 11, 2025

   Welcome to my 36th Letter to you. To receive these letters directly in your email inbox, 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.


   I wasn't going to apply for the Calgary Stampede Dream Home Artist contest this year (didn't apply last year), however, they emailed me the application, so I decided to give it another go.  Alas, I wasn't chosen, which is disappointing, and also a relief as I wasn't sure how I would be able to make it all happen if I had been chosen.  

   So far, 2025 has been a weird year - not just with everything that's been going on nationally and internationally, but there has been so much releasing - I'm calling it "situational releasing" - in my life that has been the result of choices OTHER people have made that have ended up having a very direct impact on MY life.  

   Thus, I made the really difficult choice to not renew Inner Circle this year.  While I haven't really shared a lot about Inner Circle in these letters, it has been a HUGE part of my daily life - and my creativity.  The past 5 years have brought many new friends, opportunities, fun, and adventures into my life.  I'm certainly not the same woman I was when I joined in April 2020!  I said a very, very tearful goodbye at our Inner Circle painting retreat on March 28th.  I will really miss Amber and the other ladies in the group.  

   Then I received a phone call on April 3rd that the press that prints The Chautauqua for me is being closed at the end of April!  Everyone is scrambling as that affects a number of newspapers in the province.  At this point, I'm waiting for quotes from other presses, and to see what the other papers are doing.  Not what I wanted to be dealing with after surviving last year’s insane price increase, and the other problems.

   Too much falling apart in my life in too short a time period that I am not sure what direction is up, and what I’m supposed to be doing!  I even had a handful of houseplants die!  Inhale…exhale…………..

Celebrations: 

   I published two more comic strips in the paper and posted them online.  Both were a repeat from last year.


Recently Completed:

Since the last newsletter...

   I continue to play with the Walmart set of watercolours, plus I added in the remains of my Dollar Store set, in the second pad of 4x6 watercolour paper - not sure that mixing them was the best idea I’ve ever had, as they have such different textures, but I went with it.  Though, now I won’t be able to use them for anything except playing around.  You can see the flip-through here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/1125042276097357

   I still need to set up a dedicated space for my bits and pieces so I can complete more mini collages on 4.5x6 mixed media paper.

   I completed my 36th cartoon comic booklet and you can view it here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/2130746350695624


In Beth's Kitchen:

   On March 14th, I mixed up some cinnamon buns (from Deanne Fitzpatrick's recipe - hookingrugs.com).  Beth should not try cooking or baking when she doesn't have as much energy as she thinks (hopes) she has!  It was a biscuit, not yeast, recipe so fairly quick and easy.  I used chocolate milk as that’s what I had on hand.  Turned out better than I expected.

   March 15th was an experiment day.  I found a recipe in a Company's Coming cookbook for mock chicken loaf (used chopped walnuts instead of ground chicken) so I gave that a try - worked well enough that it's worth making again!  I froze half for future meals.  I also made a no-bake nut pie crust and popped it in the freezer.
   On March 18th, I made some more cinnamon buns - still used chocolate milk and I mixed some ground cloves with the cinnamon.  OH. MY. YUM!  They turned out MUCH better than the first batch so this recipe is definitely a keeper.  I was going to add raisins and forgot, so hopefully next time.
   March 21st was fun day in the kitchen.  I made another no bake nut pie crust and popped it in the freezer.  I tried a Tuscan burger recipe - used pecans for the “meat.”  I had difficulty making the patties till I put on some latex gloves - I made the patties smaller, so got 10 instead of 6...I made another mock chicken loaf - I used cashews, oats for bread crumbs, plus I added chopped onions and other spices - this one even smelt like chicken loaf!  And it tasted amazing!  I froze half for future meals.
   On March 31st, I made another batch of cinnamon buns - subbing some of the regular flour for almond flour - didn't work at all and I ended up with a very pathetic cinnamon square.  Definitely won't do that again, and will stick to regular flour only.
   April 2 I was excited to try a walnut date omelette recipe my cousin had shared.  Sigh, there are some days that Beth should NOT be allowed in the kitchen (and if I had a personal chef, I'd definitely stay out on those days).  I ended up burning the dates (not sure how), and the whole omelette somehow stuck to my lovely non-stick frying pan.  So disappointing.  I'm not sure if I'll try it again another day, or just give it a pass.
   April 7th was a good kitchen day, I made a batch of the cinnamon buns - and they worked! - and a pumpkin raisin (with the raisins I forgot to put in the cinnamon buns even though they were right in front of my eyes!) baked oatmeal.  The baked oatmeal went into the freezer for future meals.

Jigsaw Puzzles:

   Since my last letter, I completed a 550 piece puzzle 

UFO (UnFinished Object) Update: 

   My entire life feels like a UFO again! 

Courses and Challenges (free and paid):

Era of Dreamers with Maria Aleandra and Sage Adderley: one of the ironies with this whole process is that last year I told the Aussies I was admitting that I’m not really into art journaling.  Now, this journal does not HAVE to be an art journal, however, that’s the format/style that this is emerging for me.  This feels like me saying I DON’T do collage, and then I’m suddenly creating mini collages almost daily!  I have something started in each of the 5 sections now.

  On March 21st, I signed up for Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: The best part is that Deanne is Canadian, and I didn't have to worry about the insane exchange rate!  I started watching the course on March 23rd. Deanne is a hoot, and I know I'm really going to enjoy this course.  Our first project is a coaster, and I almost completed mine.  I started using a crochet hook, which was okay, though I wasn’t entirely sure which hand to use - as a lefty I can use either depending on what I’m doing.  As I crochet right handed (way I was taught), the hook felt comfy in my right hand, but I had more control with my left hand. So my coaster has “personality” as I experimented with each hand.  I borrowed a proper hook from my artist neighbour (who introduced me to rug hooking last year) on April 4th, and find it easier to use in my left hand, so that’s what I’ll use to finish the coaster, and going forward.

  Christa Forrest's Soulful Goddess Soul Cards (free) class: You can view the completed journal flip-through here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/951501240111636

   Kiala Givehand’s 7 Books in 7 Days course: I still have ideas for books I want to make.

   Lou Reed's free Becoming Extraordinary year-long energy course: Well...I finished the introductory videos and exercises, and was stunned that the biggest energy/health issue for me was that I was spreading my energy too thin!  What?!  That will be the theme/issue I'll be focusing on for the rest of the course, so this could end up being a more interesting process than I first thought.

   Amanda Sophia's free mini Divine Woman Awakening course (Celtic Wheel of the Year):  We're in the season of Spring Equinox - a time of new beginnings and following your passions.  As so much has been leaving my life, I'm at the threshold of new beginnings, yet I don't seem to have much "new" arriving yet.  As for following passions, I started the hooked rug coaster, and I am streamlining my creative practices - so many were closely connected to Inner Circle so I will be assessing whether I want to continue them, tweak them, or drop them all together.  So many changes!  I've also been spending a LOT of time lately curled up on the couch reading through a large stack of books from the library - it's so nice to have a comfy reading spot again.
   In Demi Fox’s Morgan Le Fay Wheel of the Year, Spring Equinox is the time of the Enchantress, which also corresponds to following passions and creating magic in your world.

   Amanda Sophia’s free Geomancy & Land Healing course - I have been practicing dowsing with a couple of coathangers.

Physical Activity:

   Rebounder: a minute every time I venture down to the basement is working for me so I do from 1 min/day to 8 min, depending on the day, my activity, and how I feel.

   Chakradance - March 9th I did my 2nd slow 15 mins session and completed 1 mandala on cardboard.  Next was a slow 15 mins on March 17th, and I finished another mandala on cardboard.  March 23rd was an even slower 15 mins session, and I did my mandala on cardboard.  What I like about this modality/process is that it doesn’t have to look or be the same each time.

  "Mystery activity” I have done a little bit EVERY day for just over 32 weeks!  A new record for me!!!!

Works in progress:

Currently, I'm working on...

- 13" round canvas (acrylics) Updated on March 28th at the Inner Circle painting retreat.  I’ll be on my own to finish it now, and I decided to stay with the original timing so my next big painting session will be around Beltaine (May 1).
- watercolour play in 4x6 pad of watercolour paper 
- cardboard play - Chakradance mandala 
- painting (18-20?) ceramic Easter egg people from Gramma's craft kits (acrylics) - stalled right now
- Era of the Dreamers journal 

Featured Art for Sale:

   I have inspirational card decks, 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 Pay-What-You-Can Distance Reiki/Energy Healing sessions.  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 

~~~~~~~~

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!

Wednesday, 9 April 2025

The problem with the designs of most engineers is that they are too logical. 
We have to accept human behavior the way it is,
not the way we would wish it to be. 
  - Don Norman

Monday, 7 April 2025



From May I  Created by Beth Richardson ©2022


Friday, 4 April 2025

April 4, 2025 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   Our federal election is set for April 28, 2025.  This may end up being the most important election in the history of Canada.

   I challenge you to find out who ALL the candidates are in your riding - not just your favourite - and read their bios and/or attend a candidates’ forum if available.  It’s important to know what all the options are, and why they are running.

   Unlike other elections, there is, and will continue to be, a LOAD of misinformation out there.  Voters need to be even more discerning than ever, and not take everything we hear as truth.  Do your own research so you can make an informed decision.

   The most important part of the whole process though, is to get out and vote!     Each and every one of us has a responsibility as a Canadian citizen to vote in this election.

   No matter who you vote for, PLEASE make sure they act like a responsible adult!  We need more responsible adults in politics.

Beth


Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OX-6p5vJKlsPUVKMondh27odyo1DzBzf/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!

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua   

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

As long as you remember 
that no matter how dark the night,
 the Sun always rises, 
your heart will never be empty.  
- Danielle Blackwood

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