Toni Morrison’s novel, Beloved, came out in 1987… the year I began my studies at Columbia Theological Seminary. That was a time in my life that felt quite full of chaos. The knowledge and wisdom are still growing.

Kind of like now. Well, a lot like now… at least when it comes to the chaos. Here’s Morrison’s quote:

…chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge – even wisdom.

She also urged that, in times of crisis, there is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear.

Here’s the part that really grabs me, though… her belief that such times are when artists and people must go to work!

I agree! And not just because I have two grandteens growing up in this world, but because almost all of us have beloveds searching for their paths. For their freedom to be. For their marks to make.

And, frankly, there is a bit of local chaos around here. In the studio, to be exact. Turns out that getting the orthopedics of creativity all sorted can be a challenge! The Legendary Husband and I are on it!

As it happens, it’s also major mark-making time! #Apothecary, to be specific. Though this isn’t the official description, in my experience, #Apothecary journeys are a lot like the old John Denver song that goes…

comin’ home to a place you’ve never been before…

I’m only just getting started. The first step is called coding. Well, in my case, the second step. The first one, which appeared of its own volition, was a question…

What medicine do I need in this moment???

This is exactly what happened in my journal, now enlarged a bit on the canvas. (It almost fit!)

The void comes next, which feels somehow timely. Here’s what I do know, though… I’m all in for the whole adventure!

ps… blessedly, Monday will come complete with a couple of kind helpers, for studio chaos-wrangling!

pps… Toni was right… it IS time!!! If you have things on your heart-list that could use a bit of wrangling, let’s talk! 45 min. My gift. Your deep vision. Cool new guide-tools. Just click here and the calendar elves will hook you up! It is the next right thing!

My dear friend, Natalie, is the proud parent of a new batch of sourdough starter. There’s part of me that’s a bit jealous and another part of me that’s feeling vicariously inspired. You see, I, too, have walked the sourdough road.

It’s a lot like tending small children! Food. Exercise. Rest. Repeat… Celebration!

I gave up that literal part of my journey years ago when it became an occasion of temptation for the Legendary Husband, who was trying to sort out a more beneficial relationship with his blood sugar.

These days, my right wrist and thumb send lots of assertive reminders that kneading is not what we need!

Blessedly, though, I can still learn from the experience… in my dreams! When I woke up today, it was with a new ah-hah! My writing rises as I sleep, just like bread! Or, just like the magic of my current adventure with an #alchemist painting known as Glinda! And, yes… I’m psyched!

It seems Glinda has decided on her partners for the book journey, and tied on her Red Thread. There’s me – the Fiercely Compassionate Grandmother, who tells the stories. And there’s Madam Margaret an historical, royal teacher of women, from a time when that was, well, not the done thing! And, yes, though centuries apart, I suspect Margaret and my eighth grade English teacher, Kathy, would have been very good friends!

All of this dreaming and knowing feels huge to me in the context of this moment. There’s part of me that suspects that all the things I’ve learned along my road are meant to come together, now. (It’s a #Curate thing!)

Dots are also involved. The fingerprint prayer kind. The ones you’ll see, below, will – after a few more coats of paint – represent cypress leaves and Spanish moss, from the land of #RedMadonna, where Mother Nature is appearing. In case you’re new to dots, or need a reminder… you can use a fingertip, as I do, or the handle of a paintbrush.

Dip into your chosen paint. Touch the canvas while saying your magic word… Peace. Hope. Healing. Internally, or aloud. Be as creative as you like! (A marker works too, in a slightly neater, more removed kind of way.)

If you’re feeling adventurous, try a phrase! One word per dot. For example, Save – the – Earth… Save – the – Earth…

For this moment, the bear and I are wondering about next right steps for the manatees, still coming forward. Relatives, all… though that’s a story for a different day! And there are owls appearing, about to move into their nest!

ps… focusing on life helps! If someone to talk through your big dreams with sounds intriguing, click here and ask the calendar elves for 45 min. My gift. I have some new magic to share!

Let’s be real, up front! As much as I cherish the Red Thread around my wrist and the medicine in my mythical basket, the world is still a mess! A huge mess, actually. But, for this moment, we’re going to talk about some other things that are true. Some hopeful things!

And, no… that’s not avoidance. It’s the place where two of my favorite coping strategies meet.

Voice & Choice!

My current journey in that place started with an invitation from Shiloh Sophia McCloud, the leader of Intentional Creativity.® There was a huge graduation celebration going on in California… one I would love to have attended in person, though that wasn’t in the cards just now. In addition to completing the Color of Woman journey – for the second time! – Shiloh asked if I would be open to being a Curate. My reply was simple… With honor!

And, yes… the magic works long-distance, too!

Now, to be honest, I don’t know exactly what this will look like as time goes on. It’s a new-ancient thing in our community. A way, I suspect, of responding intentionally to all the things shifting around us.

Here’s what my inner word-junkie discovered, with a bit of button pushing…

Cura is Latin for care or cure and refers to the underlying concept of responsibility, management, or healing found in words like care and cure.

Some sources suggest that the role of grandmothers – whether as spiritual anchors, traditional healers, or primary caregivers – is a vital response to the specific needs of their families and communities. One example is the biblical Queen Esther who risked her life by approaching the king to intercede for her people… that she was, perhaps, born for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).

Another meaning has to do with collections, like art in museums or books in libraries.

That all feels really huge to me right now. And scary. And essential.

As usual, I am painting. And doing laundry and making soup, with a rather surprising new sense of purpose.

I am also writing. In fact, I signed a publishing agreement this week! (Stay tuned!) Let’s just say that it is, indeed, a Grandmother project for such a time as this.

Here’s what I know for sure… this world needs our voices. It needs our choices. It needs our advocacy. And our Littles need to see us engaged in all these things.

I am deeply honored to stand beside Shiloh Sophia McCloud, Sangoma Naa Kwarley, Kelly House, Clair Oaks, and Dr. Cheryl Boudreaux in this ongoing lineage of Curates.

ps… just in case you hear my drummer-friend calling you and your dreams, too, let’s talk! You have, indeed, got magic and I have a fabulous new way to help you claim it and put it to work. Curious??? Click here and the calendar elves will hook you up with 45 min. My gift. You’ll want a cuppa, perhaps a journal, and a red thread if it’s handy!