Who Was St. Valentine? How did St. Valentine, a 3rd century Roman priest who was martyred under the reign of Claudius II in 270 AD become associated with paper hearts, candy, love notes and flowers?
Spirit
Travel to feed or nourish the human spirit
Christmas Letter 2023
Here’s to the end of the dark nights and any winter in our hearts. It’s finally Christmas, my friends. Wishing you love and abundant blessings. And, I hope you can kiss a baby this Christmas. It’s good luck for the coming year.
Drawn to the Mystery of Ireland’s Stone Circles
Ireland has hundreds of stone circles scattered across its landscape. Some are nearly in tact, some have been carefully rebuilt, while most have just a few stones left – making them fragments of their former glorious selves. Most of these circles have been standing in place for 3000 to 5000 years
The Malin Wee Cave
There’s a small beach on the Inishowen Peninsula at the northernmost point of Ireland where the Irish Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Like most of Ireland’s northern beaches, it’s scenic and rugged while having a sense of calm about it.
Christmas Letter 2022
For the last 15 years, the salutation for my Christmas letter has been, “Merry Christmas from Marion Station.” I skipped sending a letter in 2021 because I was in the throes of moving to a new town. After Dan passed away in December of 2020, I left our Marion home.
Christmas Letter 2020
Merry Christmas from Marion Station. I write this to you from my 2nd story office, which has a panoramic view of the south side of my home. I’m fortunate to write while looking out through the treetops of magnolia, crape myrtle and maple trees. Today it’s gloomy and pouring rain which is good when one needs to be in a reflective mood.
In My Mind, I’m Going to Kildownet
Do you ever go somewhere in your mind? I’ve been to so many magical, sacred places, but some stand out more than others. I often go to Kildownet Church on Achill Island in County Mayo, Ireland.
How to Talk to Trees
Learn How to Talk to Trees in 5 Easy Steps You don’t have to be smart to learn how to talk to trees. You have to be in tune and able to feel a connection to nature. There is a natural connection between trees and humans. And humans of all […]
Hag Breakfast at the Hay Adams Hotel – and a ghostly encounter
Hay Adams Hotel – Where Nothing is Overlooked Except the White House The Hay Adams Hotel at 16th & H Streets in NW Washington DC has as its motto, “Where nothing is overlooked except the White House.” It’s noted for its fine dining, superior accommodations and the spirit of Clover […]
I Found a Monk on the Sea Glass Beach at Lindisfarne
I found a small pottery shard that looked like a monk on a sea glass beach at Lindisfarne last month – and I imagined that it was an image of St. Aidan – one of the patron saints of Lindisfarne, and the founder of the first monastic community there. Lindisfarne – […]
Lost Bird – the Sad Story of a Baby Taken from Wounded Knee
Zintkala Nuni – or “Lost Bird” was one of the casualties of the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, but not because she died in the fields with others from her tribe who were mowed down by gunfire from US Federal troops. Zintkala was in the fields that day and in […]
Wounded Knee – Should You Visit?
For those, like me, who like to travel to feed the mind, body and the spirit, a trip to Wounded Knee will feed your spirit and mind, but it’s liable to break your heart. Reading about it is difficult enough, but standing in the presence of the mass grave […]