Category: Grandmothers

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine Basket

Wow, did I need questions!!!

Posted on by sue boardman

I’m going to take a wild guess that I’m not the only one having trouble sorting the world these days! The chaos in my dreams has been – well – assertive.

So, yesterday, I fished in my medicine basket for a few favorite questions, my journal, a beloved pen with red ink, and a handful of index cards because you just never know when one of those will be the key to the door! The cuppa cacao probably helped, too!

My first question was, as it often is… What am I trying to accomplish?

The thing I love about that one is that it feels like a new doorway, handle polished and hinges freshly oiled! The answer followed almost immediately!

To create a plan – a vision – a map that will enable me to be able to keep telling the stories that will help our Littles be who they were created to be… to tell the stories I was created to tell and to set them free to help the world heal! (As my ancestors did…)

Then, another question, which took a bit longer to appear… What will be better once that is real?

The answer took a bit longer to appear, too. A whole night, in fact. And when I woke, I heard…

I’ll be able to do the work, rather than grasping at shiny things out of fear!!!

Now, the last question has been one of my most terrifying favorites for a while now, and it didn’t disappoint… What’s holding me back?

Money is holding me back. More specifically, the FEAR of not having enough. Of all the things that could go wrong, of not wanting to over-stress my beloveds. I took a deep breath and wrote it all down.

And then, another piece of the answer arrived, like a gift…

Maximize the resources I already have access to. Continue to ask for help from my healing tribe. And, most of all, act on what I can!!!

No clue what will come next. Only that I am less afraid and that, dear hearts, is not a bad day’s work! Give it a try and let me know how it goes. You can leave a comment, or email me at suesvoice@gmail.com

For now… one more word:

ONWARD!!!

ps… as you might have guessed from the painting, you are not alone!

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine Basket

The way we’ve always done it…

Posted on by sue boardman

If you’re anything like me, you probably grew up with a pretty good dose of just that philosophy. You know… the way we’ve always done it must be the right way because that’s what our elders taught us and they couldn’t have been wrong! Besides, we’re still here!

And it starts long before we have the neurological development to think abstractly, which makes it even more powerful.

Tempting as it is, though, it’s not enough. And, when we’re living that battle, it’s exhausting. Or, as one of my collection of wise teachers suggested yesterday, we wind up feeling like our buckets are too full… like our nervous systems are under siege.

I can relate! And, I went way out on a limb and decided to experiment with a different strategy!!!

As I’m writing this, it’s late afternoon. I’ve written other things, today. I’ve made an illustration – this one in charcoal pencil – for my upcoming tweens and teens book.

I’ve made some progress on the Feng Shui list, including arranging the shelf next to my magic chair so I can reach things more comfortably.

I spent some time in an online meditation experience with my Compassion annointing oil and another wise friend.

And, I spent some time communing with the painting, above, who has just told me her actual name… Our Lady of Fiercely Compassionate Abundance!

Now, here’s the surprising part…

I made a promise. Fifteen minutes of MS NOW with my first cuppa this morning. Then, off! You see, of all the things on my overflowing list for this day, that’s the one I most needed to set aside. I’m guessing you might be able to relate.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I looped the Legendary Husband in on the plan and he graciously agreed to let me know if there was anything actually earth shattering going on. Not the incoherent hissy fit kind of stuff… which I truly didn’t need. And you know what… it helped! In fact, it’s helping still!!! I’ll probably check in about 9pm tonight, just to see what the headlines are. Otherwise, my list. Including things intentionally chosen to help my nervous system feel safer!

In fact, I got a great new idea in that meeting with my wise friend. He asked if I’d tried having a conversation with my body about comfort and safety and such. It was a great question and it reminded me of one of my favorite Medicine Basket treasures!

Two handed journaling. Inquiry with my dominant hand. Breathing. Perhaps even sipping a bit more cacao while listening for a reply. Then, writing what appears with my non-dominant hand. It really is a perspective shift!

After I put another coat of paint on Gloria, the cat! Here’s where we are at the moment…

ps… love for you to leave me a comment, below, and let me know how it goes in your world. Or email me: suesvoice@gmail.com

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine BasketWisdom Cards

Limbs of the family tree…

Posted on by sue boardman

Both my mom’s family, and my dad’s, had people in the way-back days who were named variations on Mattie. I can’t find the details of who and where, just now.

Here’s what I do remember… Mattie-ing on somebody meant something pretty close to herding them. You know – expecting, directing – those kinds of things. And, yes… I’ve been watching the news! (Though not nearly as much as usual!)

Now, I’m no fan of expecting and directing. I’m much more comfortable with intentional questions and suggestions. With noticing and wondering.

At this moment, though, I seem to be the one who needs a bit of Mattie-ing. Self Mattie-ing, to be exact! You see, it’s pretty tempting to just quit trying to make things better. Fires. Floods. Earthquakes. Plane crashes. Murder. Racism. Poverty. Megalomania. You hear me. And I’m hugely aware that I can’t fix it all. In fact, some of it’s way too big for me to fix alone.

What I can do is make what I can reach just a bit better.

That’s where the creativity and Feng Shui come in! (Really!)

The cat-in-progress you just met is a wise voice in my tweens & teens book-in-progress, and she’s coming to life! Layer by layer. (I never tried to paint a cat before!) Her name is Gloria and she informed me, emphatically, that we – you and I – are part of the message Gloria Steinem left for us to carry.

Then, there’s the place where the Legendary Husband and I abide. It hasn’t so much kept up with our changing needs and, for a while, I think we might have been busy pretending we didn’t notice. I’m choosing to notice, again, and it’s getting better, already. Intentionally better!

We’re working hard to make this brick ranch, built in 1962, be safe and comfortable and supportive, here and now. It’s a challenge… though I am starting to feel a smidge more hopeful! (Though the new fridge still needs some help!)

Somewhere, deep in my consciousness, I can almost hear Mattie brusquely suggesting that we stay on the road.

I’m in!

ps… I just rearranged the book shelf next to the magic chair and put some wisdom cards in easy reach. Some from friends. Some of my own! And you can get your very own deck of mine! Just click here for all the info. I’d be delighted and honored to mail you a batch. They really were created to help all of us make what we can reach just a bit better. (Or, maybe… lots better!) It’s that whole perspective and strategies thing!!!

pps… internal book release goal: November 1, 2026!!!

#Magic!ContemplationsFiltersGrandmothersMedicine Basket

In-ten-tion!!!

Posted on by sue boardman

You know how, when you’re in the midst of something that you’re trying to accomplish, it often feels crazier than before you started???

I can almost feel you nodding your head! Let’s just say that if I were the tattoo type, I’d go get one proclaiming progress is messy! As it is, I think I’ve found the intention for the first layer of my about to be begun painting! Come to think of it, there may be several reasons for that!

The up-side is that the Legendary Husband and I made some actual progress today! This big piece of furniture over there. About 24 feet of bookshelf space re-claimed!!! (This is a huge thing around here.) A whole house Feng Shui chart/map! (It’s been simmering for quite a while. Apparently now is the time. Maybe the recent Lunar events are nudging me!

Here’s the thing, though… my right wrist and shoulder are not – shall we say – feeling quite as enthusiastic as the rest of me, and that gives me an idea for this moment.

Whether you’ve ever tried dominant/non-dominant hand journaling before, or it’s a totally new idea, let’s give it a go!

Actual paper and writing wand. A cuppa wouldn’t hurt.

An inquiry… perhaps about any intention you’re pondering, written with your usual writing hand. In my case, that’s my right hand, writing: What’s the next right step in making the home we have work more comfortably for us.

You do you!

Then, the response… with your other (non-dominant) hand. It could come instantly. It could take 3 days! (Or, whatever…) Something will appear in response. Add it to your paper when it does.

I’d love to hear what you notice!!! (You can leave a comment below… or email me. suesvoice@gmail.com

In a world where Cherry Blossom trees are giving their lives for ego and money, anything that includes intelligent intention could actually help make this world a bit better!

And HOPE can’t hurt!

ps… I chose that photo, above, because it, too, is the outcome of allowing newness! What finds you???

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine BasketOffering

Of darkness… and light!

Posted on by sue boardman

First, let me apologize to my Southern Hemisphere sisters! I didn’t learn much about Moon Magic in school. Back in those days, we “smart” kids – read that “college-bound” – didn’t have time for such things. (Though I did memorize the entire periodic table of the elements as we knew it in those days!)

Fortunately life is for learning, and that’s just about my favorite part of the journey, so I’m declaring this to be Moon Post Wednesday! Specifically, in this hemisphere, the night before Crone Moon just before the total eclipse due on August 12.

Spiritually, this night could be considered an “ultimate cleansing” opportunity for letting go of toxic patterns or clutter or things that drain us, rather than fill us.

What comes to mind for you as you’re reading along???

The clearing, of course, leaves Owl – or Athena – space for truths that have been hidden. For planning and for winning through wisdom.

In this moment, though, we’re having contextual darkness of a different sort. I’m going to assume that you know as much about the news as you’re choosing to handle and not add any of that here, except to say that I did notice a smidge of hope earlier today!

Fortunately, space for practical creating also goes along with Crone Moons, and I have lots of that to do! The photo at the top is currently directing some major plastic surgery on my #wip painting. And I’m heading back to that, as long as the power holds out in the storm that just began rattling our neighborhood.

First, though, a message from a #wip glimpse at my #RedMadonna 2025 painting, Mother Nature. She – and Athena of the Crone Moons – are so hoping you’ll come check out the adventure with Primordial Waters that’s about to begin. Just click here for all the info… A safe circle of wise women, new perspectives, community, and actual medicine for your basket!!!

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersRed Madonna

A different kind of family reunion…

Posted on by sue boardman

Dear Blog Relative,

We lived in Wheaton, IL for a bit, when I was in 4th and 5th grades. Lots of my dad’s family had deep roots there, and they were big fans of reunions. What I remember most was pie. Also Baptist churches and school playgrounds. And about a zillion cousins!

Today, I spent time at family reunions, too. Different than the ones I grew up with! Today, July 22, is known by many folks as the feast day of Mary Magdalene. (And, no… most of those folks aren’t Baptists! Or Presbyterians, either, for that matter!)

I have another “reunion” meeting coming up shortly so I’ll keep this quick.

Question: What do Mermaids and Mary Magdalene have in common???

Answer: Magic!

Now, this is where things get tricky because there are lots of people with lots of widely differing notions of all those “M” words. And the one thing I know for sure is that we all have to sort issues this big out for ourselves! Images have been very helpful to this word person along the way!

The one we began with was a huge door for me. I painted her during the Red Madonna journey @ 2019. Officially, she is Our Lady of Fierce Compassion. She was one of 5 paintings we did that year and I was really new at all the art stuff. While I was working on her, there was a huge crisis going on at the US/Mexican border. Well, a huge crisis for people who care about people! My Lady materialized sheltering Mexican children, separated from their families, within her embrace of compassion.

About 3 years later, I – in the midst of learning more new things – realized that she is The Magdalene!

You’ve probably met my friend, Destiny Joan, along the way… the Mermaid part of the family!

Then, there’s my current #wip! Officially, #Threshold. The official title, according to my dreams is “I Am Legend” and she says she’s me! (That’s more to sort than we have time for just now… and, as you might be reading this story for the 2nd or 3rd time, recently, you can assume that I, too, am still sorting all this!)

This is, indeed, where we are in this moment and it feels like huge progress even though it doesn’t much look like it, yet. She and I are so hoping you’ll stay tuned. (We are also making big progress on the tweens and teens book-in-progress!)

My next reunion, for this day, begins in about 20 minutes. More stories. More cousins. More magic!

ps… if you’re ready for some magic, too, check this invitation out! And, hurry!!!

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine Basket

Dear Grammy Sue,

Posted on by sue boardman

It’s me. Your inner Little! Let’s fix a couple cups of tea and chat a bit, please…

I’m worried about you! You spent all last night doing that thing called shoulding on yourself! (You know, the one you’ve tried to help me NOT to do???)

All that stuff that’s not really sleeping. And, yes – I heard those questions you were asking! The ones about, How do I not __________________________________________? You know… that really long list of things that aren’t helpful! And the partner question, too. How do I focus on Peace and Hope?

Fortunately, I’ve actually listened all those times you helped me, when I felt like that! And I’d like to help you for a bit. (I really was listening!)

Let’s start, as you taught me, by changing the question! You know… from “should” to “could”! Like, we could get our journals and favorite pens! And then, we could put our very own hands to work. I’ll go one step at a time for those reading along who haven’t tried this before…

Take your pen or marker in you dominant hand. The one you generally write with. If you happen to be ambidextrous – like using both equally – just pick one to begin with. Write this in your journal…

What could YOU do – in this moment – that would help in your world???

Great! Now wait and listen a bit. Notice and wonder. Have a sip or two of tea. And, when you begin to hear or feel the response, switch hands and write what appears with the non-dominant (other) one. Really! The one you might have gotten in trouble for using when you were really small.

You already know you’ll be able to read it!

Breathe. Listen. Sip. It’ll come!

Get it all out…

Three words. Five minutes. An hour and a half. More if you need it. You – like you always tell me – do you!

And remember how you promised we could do this again and again? We can. You can! For now, though, the special, secret ending you showed me!

I am enough!

ps… thank you, for being my Grammy and yours! All those Grammies in all your stories are happy-dancing with us!

pps… can we paint, now???