Category: Medicine Basket

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Post Cards from Wonderland!

Posted on by sue boardman

As Tuesday morning dawned, I woke, wrapped in the magic weighted blanket, and trying to figure out how a whole book skeleton had appeared in my dreams. Then I decided to just be grateful for the gift! And really excited!

You’ve Had the Magic All Along® lives! (Again!!!)

Most of my day was spent graphing out the design, listing chapter titles, and matching them with art to create wisdom cards for tweens & teens. Talk about huge fun!!!

Next came a meeting with my publisher buddy who asks really good questions. All things considered, it beats the socks off the news!

Then, the magic went on. I woke this morning, humming Somewhere Over the Rainbow! Literally!

A bit of research was in order. Turns out that song (which you are quite possibly humming, too) was written for the film, The Wizard of Oz, in 1939, which just might have felt much like today feels! This was the first time, by the way, that one of my paintings has serenaded me in my sleep!

And the magic went on…

My #Apothecary paint videos which, mysteriously, weren’t working yesterday, were feeling much more cooperative today. It was time to ponder a sigil (sort of like a symbol) for the presence of my sovereign self in the world! That felt like an enormous question, especially now!

I watched and wondered and doodled. I mused and muttered and doodled some more. And then, I knew! I couldn’t think of something to add to my canvas because that exact symbol was already there! (Well, my version of it!)

Yep… I’ve shared it before, when I didn’t know why it had appeared. And, I’m counting on you to understand that I didn’t follow the directions so much as I noticed and wondered!

That’s it! The thing that looks rather like a purple eyeball. Technically, it’s my I Am Here! mark and it’s located next to an upper case “E” which is the last letter of the word Courage, deep in the under-layers of paint. The red “pupil” is my thumb print. An ancient sign for I Am Here!

That feels like the clearest thing I can possibly claim in this world, now. I suspect Dorothy would have related!

Glinda, who graciously volunteered for art duty on the upcoming book cover, gave me high fives for listening deep!

ps… as it happens, listening deep is one of my favorite things! Especially with folks like you, plotting magic in the world. If you’re ready for some help along the way, let’s talk! 45 min. My gift! You bring your dream, a cuppa, and something for notes. A Red Thread might be handy, too. We’ll ponder next right things and what it could look like to work together… Just click here and the calendar elves will hook you up. And hurry… my calendar is filling up!

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I would say “Ooops!” but…

Posted on by sue boardman

Real truth? My inner calendar is all haywire what with holy-days and chaos and what not. And today got pretty hectic in an inner sort of way. Thus, this is late in appearing!

The highlight was our Red Madonna circle meeting. Holding space. All the feelings welcome. Support along the Red Thread. And the beginning of plans for the coming year. (Stay tuned!)

Then, painting progress. In an odd way, kind of like watching the news. Chaos. Feelings. Meaning. Tears, too. And absolutely no idea what comes next!

Yep, it’s #Apothecary, which has a lot to do with the “medicine” we need. Blessedly, I’ve done this before so I’m in for the road trip because I know I’ll wind up in a place with information I need.

I’m grateful for that knowing… especially with new writing hatching in my dreams. And, that’s where I’m headed, now!

May your dreams be the medicine you long for in this moment!!!

ps… you ARE enough!!!

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My knees had an idea!

Posted on by sue boardman

Ali Velshi, one of my favorite MS NOW buddies, is telling stories on TV. Stories, we might say, of how we got to this day, known as NO KINGS DAY #3.

Here’s one of my favorite quotes…

“IN AMERICA, TRUE POWER RESTS IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE!”

My inner editor, who lives inside a body with challenges like sore hands and cranky knees, might make one little change, though:

“IN AMERICA, TRUE POWER RESTS IN THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE!”

And, realistically, in their WORDS!

I began my personal march with organic ginger tea and one of my favorite red pens. Yep… Morning Pages! The photo, above, is a peek. And, yes, I am definitely in Grammy Tales® mode!

As I scribbled, the magic began to happen. This idea connecting with that thought. Book characters carrying signs. (Okay… in my imagination!) What would Glinda and Lily Rose and Madam Margaret (aka, my 8th grade English teacher!) have to say in this moment?

Then, an important piece of the puzzle appeared! You see, I needed a bad guy character. The kind who thinks everybody needs to think what he tells them to think. (You hear me!) Not so much a specific person, as an archetype. Familiar, from age-old stories, way before cable news. Research was involved!

Turns out the dusty answer was lurking in long-ago memories of Baby Greek School! Perhaps, you’ve already guessed…

Kratos!!!

…this character embodies the very essence of the name – an unstoppable force driven by both vengeance and the pursuit of strength.

And, yes… they live on. That’s where we come in!

People literally dancing in the streets. A familiar woman who’s probably either a congressional rep or a newscaster, clad in a sweatshirt reading And Still I Vote!

Bill Nye the Science Guy claiming emphatically, It is time to act!

It’s time to consciously re-claim our power from the Kratos of our time. And, yes… there’s a whole lot more to come!

ps… my Cathar forebears are quite probably dancing in the streets, somewhere in the great beyond!

pps… claiming our own magic – and setting it free – can be really hard. Scary, too. It helps to have a friend along for the journey and that could be me! We’ll work together to name, claim, and create your version of the place where you feel called. (Actual marching is totally optional!) If you’re curious – even scared & curious – just click here and the calendar elves will hook you up with 45 min. My gift. We’ll explore next right options over a cuppa, a bit of Red Thread, and a place to scribble.

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The Void!

Posted on by sue boardman

Buckle up, dear heart, for the real deal! #Apothecary goes on… And, as is often the case, it feels scary-timely!

First, you should know that I don’t always follow the directions. In this case, the step included covering everything already on the canvas with black paint, creating the void!

Frankly, the void feels pretty close, in this world, already! I’m grateful, though, that there are other stories in my head, too. Including one I learned in #RedMadonna, way back at the beginning of this year, about the earliest known artists, making marks.

Yep… thumb prints. Red clay, perhaps. Or blood. Hunting? Birthing? Perhaps we’ll never know for sure, but – in my tiny corner of the world – I’m going with birthing!

Right there in the midst of the the void!

My mark. My birthing.

Not the original one, of course… but NOW! My becoming. My choosing. My beginning what’s next. Now.

And, then, I woke up this morning with a whole lot of book happening inside me! Cards, too. Different iterations of me, with learning to share.

And I wonder if, maybe – just maybe, humans have always felt like this! If we were created to feel like this… to keep doing new things, even when it’s terrifying!

So, I did what I often do. Research! I looked up my name. Susan. (Just type girl’s name ________ into your favorite toy.) What I discovered is that this name I have – supposedly because both my parents liked it – calls forth both Rose and Lily.

And, that, dear heart, brings up a whole lot of other stories! Some of which will play big roles in that book borning inside me.

First, though, I’m going to need to practice claiming me! So… that red thumb print in the middle of the void. And a whole lot of questions!!!

ps… Curious about YOUR magic??? Glinda & I would love to help! Just click here and the calendar elves will be delighted to hook you up up with 45 min. My gift. The time to step through the door is now! Fix a cuppa, grab your journal, and bring a dream!

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Of chaos and knowledge and wisdom…

Posted on by sue boardman

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!

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Creation Continues!

Posted on by sue boardman

I’ll bet I’m not the only one who’s noticed that the world feels bat-crap crazy! In fact, I’ll go so far as to be pretty certain that you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t feeling it, too. And, just between us, I’m not enjoying it!

I can’t help in all the ways I’d like to. Marching on No Kings Day is not a practical option just now. Neither is demanding leaders who actually care and think, though supporting the ones who do helps. Food bank contributions. Also, prayers. The kind where everybody has a choice to matter! And the constant connection reminder of the Red Thread on my wrist.

Here’s a thing I noticed, today. Learning – intentionally – helps! Making space for useful newness.

Earlier, I was watching a video discussion that talked about the on-going nature of Creation. Not just the violets and dandelions blooming out front, or the wonder of making it clear to three spears of asparagus.

Instead, claiming that we – as created ones – are still in progress!!!

I’m not sure I even have words for how much that helps! I did hunt up some words, though, that are helping me share it, wandering in the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.

This is why the good has come into your midst. It acts together with the elements of your nature so as to reunite it with its roots.

(p. 7, 20-22)

I am receiving that assurance with huge thanks. You, of course, are hearing through your filters, and I’d love to know what arises for you!

For this moment, my canvas is calling again. Creation of a different sort. Two owls beginning to appear amidst the cypress trees. And, blessedly, bringing hope. Hope for wisdom. Even now.

ps… want some company on the road? Let’s talk! You and me and an amazing new take on a favorite tool! Just click here and the calendar elves will hook you up. 45 min. My gift. Your adventure!

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… of bread and books and learning!

Posted on by sue boardman

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!