From the moment I met Sally, Dick, and Jane, I’ve loved learning! Well, consciously. I suspect I already loved it, at least by the time I was learning to talk.
Sometimes, though, learning is less fun. We seem to be having one of those times in history, just now. For example… MS NOW ran a piece today, filmed at a food pantry in Minnesota, which said, basically, that people are hungry but too afraid for their safety to come get food.
I was horrified! You see, once upon a time, I was one of those people who was hungry. Young, single mom & nursing student, I needed help from Food Stamps to feed my pre-school son. I also needed student loans, scholarships, and HUD housing help. It was really hard. And, we made it.
Now, though, we have a whole lot of people in our country who are terrified. Not just that they won’t “make it,” but that they may not live through it.
Blessedly, I am still learning. In fact, I learned a new thing today. A whole new perspective. Well, consciously! First a bit of context… I’m taking a new virtual class that has to do with neurology and bodies and the whole eco-system of the planet.
We began with movement. Gulp! (Yes… this has not been my favorite thing for quite some time.) Blessedly, our leader was wise and kind and gentle.
The story is too long to share here. Let’s jump to the punch line… the part where the voice in my head claimed:
My body is calling me into new healing… new learning… new relationship… and change involves motion!
I suspect you’ll understand that realizing that was a whole lot more fun than flipping on the news afterward!
Let’s just say that the lunacy goes on.
The question is how we – you & I – get clear enough to claim what we love. What we believe in. What heals the world.
And we’ve never been “here” before. Well, most of us. And we have some learning to do. I have 3 immediate ideas… which may remind some of you of hurricane preparedness.
Non-perishable food & clean water. Back up energy. Determination to help. (Winter weather is headed our way!)
The fourth, big picture idea is HOPE… DREAMS! Kind of like learning to paint!
So why did I pay attention in my class about movement??? Because I have things to do. Things that matter to me and to the world my grandteens will inherit! Things I, frankly, didn’t imagine needing to know!
For now, though, we’re giving a deep freezer we no longer need to a family of folks who do. (And, yes… it also means more space!)
ps… if you have big questions, too… if you hear the sound of the drum… let’s talk! I have space for 2 new 1:1 dreamer/clients looking for some new tools and guidance along the way. Click here and the calendar elves will hook you up with 45 minutes, on me, to explore possible roads ahead!
I didn’t grow up with this one in my head. Not exactly top of the hymn list in mid-west Presbyterian churches or very Catholic neighborhoods, back in the early 1960’s.
In fact, I probably learned it in my summer camp years from Joan Baez, who might possibly have sung it for Dr. King. And, yes… that’s no doubt why it’s rumbling around my head just now. It’s called, Just a Closer Walk With Thee.
Then, there’s the news. The seemingly endless work still to be done. And, yes, it’s true…
I am tired. I am weak. I am worn…
Blessedly, there are more things which are true, as well. One of those is this…
I am determined!
Another is that…
I can’t do it all alone!
Neither, by the way, can any of us! Which is, no doubt, why the song begs…
…take my hand.
So, I let my very cranky neck choose a new pillow. The cover is in the washer as I type. It’s going to flunk all the Mom rules and nursing school rules for the right way to make a bed and I’m totally okay with that because, if I don’t take care of me, mattering is even harder!
I also had a BIG conversation about my next book and some ways to get the already-books out in the world, doing more good. (Prayers and good juju much appreciated!!)
Here’s the really cool thing, though…
The world needs what you have to share, too! The stuff that lives in the secret box labeled What you are called to do!
Paint. Write. Teach. Adopt abandoned pets. Sing. Feed people. Catch babies. Celebrate weddings. Give blankets to the local shelter. Preach. Vote… you hear me. And I want to hear you! Personally, my medicine basket is all a tingle over some about-to-begin learning in the land of Eco-Somatics and trauma release and regenerative wisdom!
In this moment, I’m looking for two brave souls ready to take a chance on claiming their own magic and putting it to work in the world. You see, that’s my magic! Naming visions and claiming next right things on the road from here to the place where we feel called. (And, frankly, “here” could use a whole lot of work just now!) So, if you’re feeling your special sign of ready – or even intrigued – let’s talk! Just click and ask the calendar elves to hook us up so we can chat. No pressure. No expecting or directing. Just somebody to walk with you, with lots of possibilities and tools for your medicine basket.
And, I really only have space for 2 people!!! Short term. Manageable. Personalized. You’ll know if it’s you! Here’s a timely bit of music for musing…
ps… the first known recording of Just A Closer Walk was made by the Selah Jubilee Singers in 1941.Selah is a Hebrew word which implies intentional pauses – or lifting up – for mindfulness, praise, meditation, and connecting with faith or source!
You’ve probably met them, before, these old friends of mine. They live on a wall near my writing chair, in a room where there is often the noise called news coming from the TV. It turns out that they want to join the conversation!
We’ll skip the swearing and crying. I’m guessing you’ve got your version of all that covered. Let’s do introductions, instead.
Aslan. Matilda. (Or Boudicca!) And a cardinal bird named Elsie. Not so much intentional as demanding. And I’ve needed their messages a whole lot, lately!
You know Aslan, I suspect, from C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. Wise and powerful. Benevolent, but formidable. You can probably guess why I find him appealing in this moment!
Then, Matilda/Boudicca. (The painting hasn’t made a firm decision yet, and she could assuredly be both!) Powerful women leaders in times when women weren’t permitted to be powerful. Matilda of Tuscany was my cousin. She is often described as one of the most important governing figures of the Italian Middle Ages. She was also a spiritual leader and a huge supporter of the arts.
Boudicca, hundreds of years before Matilda, was a warrior queen in ancient Britain, also considered a symbol of the struggle for justice and independence. It’s likely that she, too, was a relative.
The bird is named Elsie after my grandmother who told me, when I was about six, that cardinals were ancestors who’d gone on, coming back to check on us and encourage us.
And, yes… they’re livid about a whole lot of the news.
Here’s the thing that I’ve realized… these stories and images are powerful #Filters through which I’m engaging the context of this moment!
For today, I am claiming their wisdom and strength… still alive in my being and spirit. I’m also claiming their #inquiry…
What can you do – what do you need to do – so that what you love to do works better???
Yep! You. Now. In the midst of this context.
And, I have a plan, though it needs to wait until Friday. Watch for a special email! In fact, if you’re not on the email list just now, use the pop-up thingy and get the elves to fix that!
ps… Fairy Tales coming soon. And more Wisdom Cards!(It pays to listen to the walls!)
Yes, hiding is totally tempting. In fact, I’ve tried it, too. There is no lack of things in our world that sane, compassionate people would love to ignore. People like us!
Sadly, it doesn’t really help!
Oh, a nap is good. Another romp through the land of Princess Diaries, even. (Try it!) Eventually, though, those of us who want our Littles to have a world to inherit have to make our way back to the actual world. Here’s a quote that helps me:
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
-James Baldwin
I’ve been experimenting with a way to make going forward, despite current events, feel a bit more encouraging than traumatic. And, yes… creating is involved!
One of my IC® sisters, Amber Kuileimailani Bonnici, led a workshop for the New Year with a way to do just that. I’ve done it before, and enjoyed it. I’ve taught it. Sometimes, though, context does, indeed, shift things and this was one of those times for me.
This particular adventure has to do with folding heavy watercolor paper into an accordian-like book and, for me at least, imagining old things in new ways.
I suspect everyone who tries this experiences it differently. In my mind, it’s a lot like quilting. The scrappy kind. Bits of old treasures and new hopes brought into a relationship intended to create a path forward.
My first challenge, in this moment, was folding the paper. The second was sending the inherited perfectionist who still lurks within me on a play date, elsewhere! (Waiting for something that could be perfect, in the context of this moment, feels a whole lot like giving up!)
I began, as you probably guessed, with a bit of practice in the art of book illumination. (It’s big fun!) And, yes… the Winged Eye Wisdom reference is utterly intentional!
Then, I dreamed a map. A map of next right things!
There is, indeed, more to go. More dreaming. More claiming. The claiming part feels really important just now! And, I’ve decided not to force it faster than I’m ready. You see, I LOVE that there’s more!
ps… If you could actually read the page with the orange writing, way down near the bottom, you might notice a quote from Leo McGarry on The West Wing. “I’ve been down here before, and I know the way out!” Stay tuned… I have, and I do!
pps… now would be a great time to engage the pop-up thingy at the beginning and sign up for the mailing list. Big things, soon!!!
Yes, it’s chilly and grey and I’m still on the soup kick. I’ve also been watching the news and I could use some sanity. More even than I need swear words and tissues, so…
Sue’sSuper Chicken Stock
Gluten-free
Makes 6-8 quarts. Your grandma was right about chicken soup for healing!!!
Ingredient Note: The best stock contains a mixture of roasted and raw bones. Simmering bone broth for several hours concentrates the flavors and healing properties of the meat, bones, and cartilage. It also concentrates any toxins present in the bones. Because of this, you want the very highest quality chickens you can find. Local, sustainably raised, pastured chickens are the best. At a minimum you want a chicken with no antibiotics or growth hormones, preferably organic and free-range, and definitely raised and processed in the US. I roast a lot of chicken, but we also buy rotisserie chickens from a local butcher shop that sells only sustainably raised chickens that meet these standards. You can use the bones from rotisserie chickens. Also, the bones from cooked chicken breasts. Obviously, you don’t want anyone to chew on them first! (See note at bottom if you’re using an Instant Pot!)
Note: According to Spring Forest Qigong founder and master healer, Chunyi Lin, ancient wisdom says to remove the wing tips (farthest from the body) and tail of the chicken before using for soup.
Collect bones in the freezer until you have enough for a pot of broth. A typical pot, for me, will be:
Carcasses from 2-3 home roasted or rotisserie birds, ½ doz. raw chicken feet, and any necks, hearts or gizzards you’ve saved. Bones like these, with lots of cartilage, are especially helpful! If you have bones from rotisserie chickens, save the jelly like juice in the bottom of the container and add it to broth. Don’t throw the good stuff out!!! Local farmers often have specials on necks, feet, backs, etc. (Livers don’t go in the soup pot. Save them in the freezer for something like dirty rice.)
Assemble your collection of bones, thawing what is frozen and considering the mixture you have. If, for example, you have all raw bones, start by roasting some of the meatiest. Preheat oven to 400 F. Into an iron skillet or roasting tray, place:
2 Tbsp. olive oil, with bones to be roasted. Salt and pepper bones.
Roast for ½ hr. to 45 min until nicely browned. They do not need to be fully cooked. Reserve all juices and add to broth. While bones are roasting, place into 10 qt. stockpot:
Raw bones, 1-2 lb. feet, necks, backs, skin, etc. with one good glug (about 3 Tbsp.) organic apple cider vinegar “with the mother”.
Cover and allow to sit 45 min. off the heat. After 45 min., set burner to medium high and begin bringing to boil.
Add roasted bones.
When stock reaches a boil, skim and discard any foam or clumpy stuff that rises to surface. Allow to boil gently until no more foam forms to skim, about 15 min. You’ll also skim off some of the fat which floats to the top. That’s fine, but fat in bone broth is not a bad thing. There are actually components in the fat and skin that help you absorb the nutrients in the stock! Reduce heat until pot holds a moderate simmer. Don’t try to rush it! Cooking at too high a temperature will cloud your broth and add a background note of bitterness to the taste. Add:
3 or 4 med-large onion, halved, with skins; 3 or 4 garlic bulbs, halved, with paper; 3-4 raw bay leaves (or 1-2 dried ones); med. bundle of fresh thyme sprigs, about as big around as a quarter, tied with white cotton string. If you happen to have some fresh parsley stems around, tie them with the thyme and toss them in, too.
Continue adjusting heat until a pot maintains a gentle simmer. This recipe makes a rich, tasty broth that can be used in many ways. Don’t muddy the flavor by tossing in all the miscellaneous old stuff in your fridge. That’s called compost!
Cook for at least 4 hours and not more than 6 for a clean flavor, with all the nutrients pulled out into the broth. You can put a lid partially covering the pot for some of the cooking time to lessen the amount of water that cooks out, making the broth somewhat less concentrated, or leave the lid off and allow it to reduce more, concentrating the flavors. If you wish to add additional water during cooking to increase the amount of stock, you must use very hot water, about 180-190 degrees F.
When you’re happy with the color and intensity of the broth, remove from heat and allow to cool an hour or two. Scoop all bones and aromatics from the broth and discard. Remember, you’re going to use this broth to add flavor and nutrients to other recipes. Resist the urge to salt or adjust seasonings now.
After scooping out bones, etc. from the pot, strain into another container through a fine mesh sieve, being sure to get all bones! You may use some of the broth immediately, if you care to. Otherwise, chill broth overnight in fridge. You’ll know you’ve got a great batch if it gets jiggly, like soft jello!!! (If not, it’s still a miracle! Just keep practicing!)
Transfer broth to quart and pint sized plastic containers, preferably BPA free. (Glass may break in the freezer!) Leave 1 inch headroom, as stock will expand when frozen. Label, including date, and freeze until needed, up to 6 mo. I try to thaw stock overnight in the fridge before using. When that isn’t possible, thaw on counter, with container on a kitchen saucer or salad plate, monitoring so that it doesn’t start to warm.
Instant Pot note… you can make the magic even more quickly and without a huge cauldron! Choose the same optimal ingredients! Follow directions in your manual for amounts, settings, and timing. It doesn’t smell as good, but if it gets you on board, go for it!
ps… if you have any prayer requests you’d me like to add to my to my list, I’d be honored. Just reply, below, or email me atsuesvoice@gmail.com
pps… we can’t fix it all. We can do what we can, where we are!
This is a post about HOPE, though it might take just a minute or two of reading to get there. First, a story about summer camp.
It was the year I was supposed to be a Junior Counselor… my second summer on staff. One of the Senior Counselors was sent home after the first week, reportedly for not realizing that the rule about being in the cabin with her kids all night was – you know – serious. I got an unexpected promotion. And, with it came a new role.
Swim instructor! As low person on the totem pole, I was given the non-swimmers. The rocks, as they were known. Teaching them to actually swim was optional. Keeping them from drowning while they had fun was the big assignment. Turned out we were a good match, the rocks and I.
Oh, I could swim, for sure. I also knew quite a lot about things not feeling easy. Or natural. And I had also managed to figure out that not everybody needed the same help to learn new things.
Just between us, I’ve been dreaming about the rocks. And about being able to help them. It feels like there are lots of new things to learn to do these days. Hard new things. Like painting with the hand that doesn’t hurt so much. Keeping my shoulders attached. Holding hope even when things feel scary. And, they do.
So… I dug deep into my Medicine Basket and came up with an old treasure. One I’ve dreamed about for years but never thought I “qualified” for.
Sabbatical. The AI elves will tell you it’s an extended, often paid, leave from work (weeks to a year) for rest, travel, research, or personal growth. In my case, it’s a notion I learned during a whole lot of years in graduate school. Often in the sense of time off from teaching to write.
My plan is a wee bit different. Some focused attention on the health stuff, including learning new things. Intentional time to write. (The paintings insist!) And a whole new relationship with my word for 2026… well, one of my words!
Choice!
Blogs, of course! And 1:1 clients, ready for next steps on the path. And the kind of Fairy Tales that involve deep, sometimes scary, truth, because NOW is the time for truth and it’s a huge part of my Promise.
Like teaching beloved rocks to swim, I don’t expect it to be easy. And I’m grateful for my years of practice. Also for this quote, which I borrowed from the Women of Appalachia Project with some help from Facebook…
Forgive yourself for not knowing earlier what only time could teach.
ps… that, by the way, is a pretty great strategy! And there are more waiting for you in Grammy’s MetaMod Wisdom Cards! Just click here to save 20% when you order 2 sets. What a great gift! (Offer good through Sunday, Jan. 11 on in-stock supply shipped to one address!)
…and all through the house, the people were waiting for news and pondering choices! You know…
If this, then ________________…
If that, then ________________…
And, yes, the multitude of elipses are this writer’s way of expressing, “What next?”
The challenge, of course, is that we don’t know, even when we think we do! And, it’s hard!
There are, however, some things we CAN know. Some things we CAN choose. And, yes… I like those! So, I chose a card! One of Grammy’s MetaMod Wisdom Cards, to be exact. Sometimes I just mix all of them together in a big heap, close my eyes, and pull one.
In this moment, though, I needed to narrow things down a bit. That meant the category known as Meta-what??? These have to do with big questions on the road to the place where you feel called. And, you know what? I got a very good fit for this moment! Here it is:
And, yes… a Tardis, like the one you see, above, is on the front. The magical door that opens to a whole new world! (It helps to love a sci-fi guy!)
So… time for meddlin’!
What could YOU set free???
Literal objects. Limiting beliefs. We always/We never…
Personally, I’m setting It’s too complicated free, and claiming Let’s see what happens, instead! Chances are, as the old story goes, I’ll learn something and you know how I love that!
And, there’s a bunch of stuff in my closet that’s eagerly awaiting an excursion to a local Clothes Closet!
Here’s the bottom line, though… what I’m really setting free is…
ME
And, no, I’m not at all sure what that will look like. I just know that it’s time! Me, and the Fire Horse who brings intense energy, innovation, and bold action to this year, now. I’ll figure the rest of it out!
ps… start your New Year with much love and a great new tool! Order 2 sets of MetaMod Wisdom Cards, shipped to the same address, and save 20%. Offer limited to in-stock supply.Just click here and the elves will do the magic!And wander… there’s lots of inspiring stuff!
