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!

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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 

Saturday Morning Comic 

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone: 403-352-3837

My Artist Voice #45 January 9, 2026

   Welcome to my 45th 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."

   

   Happy New Year!

   I wasn't going to do a Word of the Year for 2026 because I had no real desire to do so, and then I read "The Wisdom of the Shire: a short guide to a long and happy life" by Noble Smith, where he explains how the Hobbit lifestyle can apply to our everyday lives.  While I'm not a diehard Tolkien fan (I have read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, and watched the movies once each), as I've said before, I do feel like I am a Hobbit in lifestyle.  I love to eat good food, I love to curl up and read, I love one-on-one conversations, and many other Hobbit-like preferences for a life of joy and comfort.  So I decided my Word of the Year will be Hobbit, which for me means Comfort and/or Cozy.  Do I know exactly how I want that to look and play out in my life this year?  Not yet, but I feel it is certainly a worthy pursuit for me, and I have ideas to explore.

Word of the Year: Hobbit (Comfort / Cozy)

Celtic Year theme: Joy and Delight (fire, do what brings you joy weekly, how can you bring joy to others?) 

[WINTER/REST]: Cleansing Body and Spirit (water, clear your energy/spirit)

Winter Solstice: Connect with Gaia (earth, draw support from earth)

Celebrations: 

 

   It's now 4 months later, and the greenery from the Telus bouquet is still lush and green in the vase on the table!

   Dec. 1st I sent off a very small nut/dried fruit order to Rancho Vignola from BC (I look forward to when I can order wholesale again!) and it arrived on Dec. 8th. 

    Dec. 12th I had a Live Blood Analysis appointment in Red Deer.  My body was stressed - bit of mould, yeast, liver stress and still have parasites.  Oy!  Overall though, DRAMATIC improvement as the toxins and inflammation are almost all gone!!!!  My body is actually digesting the food I eat so my mineral levels are improving - unfortunately, I was SO LOW that it's going to take quite a while yet to build everything back up.  There was enough improvement that I don't have to go back for 6 mons now, unless I feel I need to go sooner.

   Also on Dec. 12th a neighbour sent me a Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar (app) for Christmas!  I had a lot of fun discovering all the new features each day, and of course, the artwork is stunning!

   Dec. 14th my friend from Alix and I went to the Stettler Variety Showcase performance.  Kinjo and Young - a R&B/Soul duo from Calgary.  While not the type of music I usually listen to, they were very talented, and it was a very enjoyable afternoon. I was a bit disappointed that they only did 3 Christmas songs in their Christmas set.

   I was very sick a couple days before Christmas so wasn't sure I'd even be okay for Christmas morning.  Thankfully, I was recovered enough for Sis and Niece to come over - they were very understanding that there were no decorations (tree was decorated only because it didn't get undecorated all year!) and the gifts weren't wrapped.  They were here for an hour and we had a lovely time.  I crawled back into bed after they left.

   Niece gave me two mint Aero bars (it's been years since I had one!) and homemade cinnamon butter that she made into a "latte!"

   Jan. 1st, the 8th Day of Christmas, I finally felt well enough to have my Christmas dinner - I had a package of precooked stuffing, some cooked turkey slices, and my baked potatoes in the freezer so I really only had to heat everything up and make some gravy.  I enjoyed the meal with some leftover veggies, and I had a small chocolate cake for dessert that I'd picked up at Sobeys before Christmas.

   I watched Hallmark Christmas movies on the Global app on my ipad, and will continue to do so until they switch to the regular Hallmark movies, and then I'll start watching them.  I am still enjoying watching Josh Johnson's comedy sketches online - aiming for 1 per day for laughter and stress relief.

   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 haven't completed anything new, however I do have my year in review...

2025 Highlights & More:

+ 23rd anniversary of owning The Chautauqua Jan 17^th

- new column from Dr Kayzie Sutton (Jan 17)

- novel excerpt added again from beginning (Feb 7)

- Bakery sold some of my decks and journals

- CentralWeb (Calgary) press closed Apr 30 - last issue printed May 2^nd

- Started with Lethbridge Herald press - May 16th issue

- increased some ad rates effective July 1

- new (1/2) price with Lethbridge - Nov 7

**Calgary Stampede Dream Home Artist Contest application submitted (Feb 27 - not accepted)

+ Deanne's Playful Joyful Rug Hooking course (Mar 21 - )

- 14 small rugs hooked (not fully finished)

+ didn’t renew Inner Circle for 6th year (last day April 4)

- follow Amber's teachings on cycles

- intention: seated forward bends (Feb 19/24 - Feb 2/25 = 50 wks)

- daily EFT (Nov 9/24 - Mar 8/25 = 120 days)

- 5D experiment (Jan 3 - Mar 30]

+ Lacombe Art Show (Apr 11)

- bought western print and hooked piece from Margaret Blank

+Niece’s school drama (Apr 11) "Dr. Experimentor and the League of Evil"

- she was Major Marjorie Mayhem

+ Bashaw Art Show (May 4)
+ Bashaw Sr High musical "Newsies" (June 8)
+ entire Calgary Stampede watched on TV July 4 - 13
**neighbours' help with yard work (June – Oct)

+ garden May 10 - Oct 3

- planted clover on west side of house, planted 2 daisies and hollyhock seeds in perennial bed, planted garlic chives around grape (May 10)

- planted beets, potatoes, onions, 1/2 carrots, peas (May 11)

- planted carrots, potatoes (May 25)

- planted peas, beans, pattypan squash, cucumber, 7 melons, petunias, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, nasturtium seeds, money plant, & mystery seeds (May 29)

- made 17C lilac juice (May 30)

- made 9C rhubarb juice (June 9) + 26C (Aug 1)

- made 2C lilac juice from front lilacs (June 14)

- planted many irises, 1 lily, 2 tomato, 1 pepper, 1 kale, German chamomile, bee balm from friend (June 16)

- made 23C rhubarb juice from Sandy's rhubarb (June 20)

- planted 22 strawberry plants (June 20)

- made 18C raspberry juice (July 18) + 28C (July 21) + 26C (July 28)

- made 8C apple/raspberry juice (Aug 10)

- picked 60 lbs of crabapples from Clive friend (Aug 14) / 15 lbs of apples on my side of fence from neighbour's tree (Sept 1)

- made 20C crabapple juice - froze 16C (Aug 18), 20C - froze 8C (Aug 22), 12C (Aug 25)

- made 6C applesauce w/crabs+apples (Aug 24), 7C with apples (Aug 25), 4C (Aug 29), 2C (Oct 19)

- made 11C of apple/rhubarb juice

- 6 cups raspberries + 2 cups cherries + 10 lbs apples + 35 beans to Sis

- 5 lbs apples to next door neighbour (Aug 17) & 5 lbs to other neighbour (Aug 21)

- 4 lbs of red beets to friend (planted extra for her)

- baggie of small carrots to neighbour - early birthday gift (Oct 11)

- froze 1.25C peas (July 29), 14 baked potatoes (Aug 20), 12 stuffed pepper halves (Aug 27), 4 stuffed cucumber halves (Oct 10), 9 med onions (Oct 11)

- dried sage, chocolate mint, chives, dill

+ Lou Reed's yr long (freebie) Becoming Extraordinary program (signed up Dec/24, started Jan 22/25) changed to Inner Empire Immersion (Sept 9 - Dec. 19)

* Bashaw musical "Dare to Dream" (Oct 26)

+ physical activity

- daily mystery activity (Aug 26/24 -

- daily(ish) rebounding (Dec 26/24 -

- Chakradance (Mar 2/Mar 9/Mar 17/Mar 23/Apr 6/Apr 13/Apr 19/Apr 26/June 10/July 9)

+ Niece here: Jan 4, SVS concert Mar 16, Apr 15 (quick - get camera), May 2 (quick - drop off bday gift), June 26 - 1 hr (mowing/yard work), July 26 - 1/2 hr (yard work), Aug 20 (bday), Halloween, Xmas morning with Sis (1 hr)

+ publish monthly artist newsletter 

+ daily(ish) creativity

- 20 mini collages

- watercolour paintings

- 7 watercolour archetype faces (14 total)

- 1 watercolour play (both sides)

- play in 2nd and 3rd 4x6 watercolour paper pad (Apr 5/May 19)

- 4 cardboard play

- 8 Chakradance mandalas on cardboard

- (acrylic) paintings

- Oracle painting (Shiloh Sophia) 13 inch round (Jan 25)

- Soulful Goddess Soul Wisdom (Christa Forrest) back to back journal (Mar 16)

- Inner Circle Unleashed Self painting 13 inch round (June 24)

- Mandala painting 13 inch round (Sept. 30)

- Era of the Dreamers journal

- 14 covered coathangers

+ 20 jigsaw puzzles

In Beth's Kitchen:

  My plan was to just eat the roasted beets, however after I ate half of them, I ended up slicing the rest very thin with the food processor and made a dill & beet clafoutis on Dec. 9th.

   I made it back into the kitchen (finally!) on Dec. 20th and made a no-bake nut pie crust and popped it in the freezer.  Then I melted a jar of homemade coconut butter, and spread it over the nut pie crust (that hadn't worked) from the freezer - for a layered square recipe I'm trying.  I also had some dated eggnog so used that to make some tapioca pudding in the microwave - worked better than expected!

   Dec. 22nd I put together a carrot & pea clafoutis.  That cleared out my fridge and freezer a wee bit.  After lunch, I used the last of the 2% milk in the fridge and made cinnamon rolls with diced dried banana and gingerbread spice.

Jigsaw Puzzles:

   Since my last letter, I started another puzzle, and it's been very slow going so I just have the edge pieces together.

UFO (UnFinished Object) Update:

   As part of my Hobbit year, I'm going through the Inner Circle Let It Go, Let It Flow program again (I still have access even though not in Inner Circle anymore).  I "officially" started Day 1 of the program on Jan. 4th.  I know clearing the clutter/chaos in the house will help improve my mood and life, and resolve a number of UFO tasks, projects, and items.

   So far, I've deleted some old files off my computer.  I listened to some guided meditation files that I had saved on my computer to listen to "someday" - most of them are NOT ones that I find relaxing so I deleted them too.  I also passed on 5 small boxes of Harlequin novels that I had read - that opened a lot of space in the basement!

   I also have a lot of "just in case I need someday..." items that I know I really don't need so am putting what I can in the recycling.

   Another area I decided to focus on this time/year is to deal with whatever is annoying me when I walk by it in the house at the time (if possible), whether than means putting it away or getting rid of it.  To that end, one of the first items I tackled was to replace the lightbulb in the lamp on the other side of my bed - it takes a special size bulb and I didn't know if I even had one (I did!) and to replace, the whole lamp needs taken apart, so a production no matter what.  Now it's done and I have enough light I can lie down and read in bed again when it's darker out!!!!! I also tossed my old cherry pitter that broke during the summer.  That one hurt as it was older than me, they don’t make them like that anymore, and I was hoping it could miraculously get fixed (it couldn’t, which is why I had to buy a new pitter).

   My overall plan is to delete at least 1 computer file per day, and deal with at least one physical item per day.  While that doesn't seem like much, over the course of the whole year, that would be 365 items (times 2)!  And I’m sure there are days I’ll get more done.  Hopefully I'll be able to keep going consistently through the year and not in fits and starts that don't really accomplish anything.  Fingers crossed.

   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):

  Amber's annual Woman Unleashed (free) online Winter Solstice retreat (Dec 21-Jan4) - this is the 9th (!) year I signed up.  This time, Amber did a greatest hits with sessions from the previous years.  I watched the two new opening sessions.  I also watched Karen Rauch Carter's Feng Shui session (from December 2015, a year before I first joined) - her main message was to notice what you complain about in your life and home, and then find what in the house reflects that complaint, and see how you can tweak or fix it. 

   I also watched Amber's January 1st Vision Book workshop and created my vision book for 2026.  (pictured back page with 2026 Hobbit vision)

   I felt I didn't need to watch any of the other sessions because they were ones that didn't interest me at this point in my life (or I didn't really like them when I watched them during the original retreat).

  Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: I will get back to this after I get the paper year-end done.

   Lou Reed's Inner Empire Immersion: I wasn't able to attend our group session on Dec. 19th (my time) because the link I was given didn't work.  Then, I found out the reason why was because I was completely removed from the program for not showing up fully!  

   I find it very interesting that I was removed for putting my health and sacred work first when it conflicted with attending three live sessions in an offering/program that is actually (ironically??) about reminding us to put ourselves first in our lives! And, I didn't just miss the sessions, I gave my regrets, and explained why I was unable to attend.  Obviously, it's not the right program for me if I'm "removed" when I truly put myself and my needs ahead of the program.  I am also glad I didn't pay to be part of this program, though the fact that I was specifically approached and "invited" to join (I didn't apply), and then was removed makes the whole situation even more bizarre.

   When I shared what happened on my weekly Zoom with my Aussie buddy, she said that I wasn't removed, I just "graduated" ahead of everyone else as I already am an embodied sovereign woman!  That was a great perspective shift!

Physical Activity:

   There’s been snow to shovel so will count that during the winter.  Though there was so much blowing snow Dec. 17th that my neighbour used his snowblower to clear the VERY DEEP drifts on my sidewalks for me, and again on Dec. 26th & 28th after another big dump of snow.

   Rebounder: I'm still only doing a 1 min/time.

  "Mystery activity” I’m still doing this DAILY!!  For 2026, I'm just going to enjoy the activity and not worry about reaching a specific time duration or level of proficiency.

Works in progress:

Currently, I'm working on...

- 13 inch round mandala acrylic painting (stalled)

- Era of the Dreamers journal - I didn't really touch this for all of December so am catching up on some of my spreads.  While it was only going to be for 2025, I will continue it for 2026.

- personal smashbook for DAILY journal writing as part of my connection to Spirit and my Guides

- mini collages (stalled)

- painting (18-20?) ceramic Easter egg people from Gramma's craft kits (acrylics) - stalled 

- UFO crochet project (not food) - stalled 

- my next small hooked rug (stalled)

   A good friend was surprised to hear that I had never watched the TV series "Yellowstone" and highly recommended it.  I ended up watching all of Season 4 the 2nd week of December, and plan to start watching season 5 this weekend.

Featured Products for Sale:

   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 and stocking stuffers.  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.

   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 

~~~~~~~~

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!

Resilient people do not bounce back from hard experiences;

 they find healthy ways to integrate them into their lives. 

 - Navy SEAL Eric Greitens

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 2, 2026 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   Are you the type who makes New Year’s resolutions? Or, are you someone who picks a “word of the year” to guide you through the next 12 months? Or perhaps, you spend some time reflecting on the highlights/lowlights of the year that passed. There are so many different ways to honour this time on the calendar.

   Truth be told, New Year’s has moved through different seasons, months, and dates in the history of humankind, so if you don’t feel the whole New Year’s vibe right now, and just want to wait for another date, or even the spring, to honour the new year, that’s quite all right.

   Just because the calendar says we’re in a new year, doesn’t mean you have to overhaul your life. In fact, maybe it’s better to just let it all rest. Instead of scrambling to come up with resolutions, or other ways to change you life, why not just do nothing for now. We have 365 days to make changes if we want, we don’t have to do it all RIGHT NOW! Happy 2026!

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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 $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 continued support.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OFqlmobZY1-JADogZGFuobc4FrH7F-eS/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 phone: 403-352-3837