The Soulistry Blog

“BEYOND THE OBVIOUS”

“BEYOND THE OBVIOUS”

I saw children shooting hoops,a crocus, snowbells, daffodils,an art gallery on ZOOM,dishes that needed to be washed,a mom with a smile, pushing her little one in a stroller,a cashier wearing a mask,weeds growing in the yard,colour on leaves, on cars, on clothing, in...

read more
“Colour and Hope”

“Colour and Hope”

It's not a good day for many in the world. And especially not for those in Ukraine. Two years ago today, Russia invaded Ukraine.And on this, the second anniversary of that terrible event, tangling in colour helps distract me from the sterile black/white images in my...

read more
“COPING IN DIFFICULT TIMES: FOUR QUESTIONS”

“COPING IN DIFFICULT TIMES: FOUR QUESTIONS”

Difficult times.  These are difficult times. It's not unusual to feel "down" about the future of this world.  It's not unusual to not be able to feel joy.  It's not unusual to want to curl up with a book in bed or binge on tv shows that take one's mind away from war,...

read more
Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday

Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday

Tomorrow, February 14th is going to be an unusual day for those who like to mark Valentine's Day and for whom Ash Wednesday is part of their faith. This year, they both occur on the same day!Around the world, people will gather to receive the ashes on their forehead...

read more
“The Wand of Kindness”

“The Wand of Kindness”

A true story: He was about eight. She was about seven. They were talking about another child, a classmate who stuttered. When their mother said "She can't help it. Be kind," the two children laughed. "Why?" the boy asked. "You make fun of Mrs. Baker. You're not kind...

read more
“LOVEUARY”

“LOVEUARY”

The month of February can be difficult for many. Social media and local stores focus on Valentine's Day to the hilt. Many have outlived their partners ... parents have outlived their children ... children have outlived their parents/siblings ... close friends have...

read more
“THERE’S MORE THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER”

“THERE’S MORE THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER”

Why do we focus on that which separates?Why do we dwell on differences? Surely, regardless of,.. religion... ethnicity... gender... geographical location... sexual identity... financial status... language... birthing order... education... ability... sexual...

read more
“WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE”

“WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE”

When I saw these images, I was reminded of words in the Old Testament: (we are) "fearfully and wonderfully made." <Psalm 139 verse 14>. In the context of Biblical times, the word 'fearfully' was not based on today's understanding of 'fear,' but based on the-then...

read more
“WE MUST REMEMBER THE HOLOCAUST”

“WE MUST REMEMBER THE HOLOCAUST”

Today, January 27th, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp at Auschwitz. And we must remember.We must remember the horrors that happened when good people did not believe what was happening.We must...

read more
“TENACITY IS STRENGTH”

“TENACITY IS STRENGTH”

Last week, there were no daffodils beginning to grow and no cyclamen flower blooming. I knew they were there ... but they had been covered with snow. A lot of snow! The snow was on the streets, in driveways, in gardens, in parking lots. Over a foot of the white stuff...

read more
“Weeping God and Martin Luther King Jr”

“Weeping God and Martin Luther King Jr”

It's another day of cold darkness with teary-rain weather in many places.  It's another day of darkness and teary-memories as Americans today remember the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   But instead of his murder being a sign that things must change - racial...

read more
“The STAR!  The LIGHT! EPIPHANY!

“The STAR! The LIGHT! EPIPHANY!

Long ago, it is said, that a star appeared in the sky - a star that was unlike any other. All were amazed - and perhaps, even the lambs. Years and years ago, I made this banner for Epiphany which is the season that began January 6th for many around the world. The...

read more
“CHALKING   THE   DOOR”- A Ritual for Epiphany

“CHALKING THE DOOR”- A Ritual for Epiphany

Have you ever noticed a mysterious series of letters and numbers which looked like a math equation, inscribed in chalk over a doorway (or at your church, or at the home of a friend) and wondered “What is that?” But you didn't ask. After leaving, you began to wonder...

read more
“EPIPHANY – Light in the Darkness”

“EPIPHANY – Light in the Darkness”

I love the word ‘epiphany.’  Epiphanies are those "ah-hah!" moments in life when we suddenly 'understand' … 'get it’ … 'gain insight' into the nature or meaning of something (or someone) we hadn't grasped or understood previously. Many around the world are celebrating...

read more
“TWELFTH NIGHT”

“TWELFTH NIGHT”

It’s Twelfth Night!  Tonight! Twelfth Night is a festival for those following the Gregorian calendar that takes place on the last night of the Twelve Days of Christmas and marks the coming of the Epiphany tomorrow - January 6th. What is Twelfth Night...

read more
“TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – Drumming Possibilities”

“TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – Drumming Possibilities”

Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas! We've come to the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas and it's time to  "drum possibilities" because on this day, as the song goes, the drummers were drumming. Why?  What?  Music ethnologists remind us that every culture has utilized...

read more
“ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – Pipers Piping”

“ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – Pipers Piping”

On this day, the Eleventh Day of the Season of Christmas (part of the Twelve Days of Christmas), the Pipers were piping!  I was intrigued by the story of Scottish Infantryman and bagpiper Daniel Laidlaw who became known as the Piper of Loos in the Battle of Loos in...

read more
“TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – Let’s Leap”

“TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – Let’s Leap”

Merry Christmas - Tenth day!On this day of Christmas, the lords are a-leaping!Leaping?   Ahhhh, of course!   They were young.    But, what about those who never could or can no longer physically leap?  'Leaping' can involve more than 'physical' movement. Leaping can...

read more