While driving to work yesterday, the sun in my eyes, I saw a person walking on the sidewalk opposite where I was. He (this is presumed) was wearing blue bike shorts and a blue shirt, not too bright, but not navy either, in another timeline, I’d probably describe it as American flag blue, both spandex, made most likely for exercise or biking and a red do-rag on his head. See if you can picture it.
I asked myself, out loud mind you, “Is that Spider-Man?”
I did a double take, and what he was wearing came into better focus, and I laughed. I enjoyed the rest of my drive to work.
I don’t have a photo (I was driving after all), so below are some of the other things I’ve seen this week on my way to and from work:
While I know something of Native American culture, in writing my current book, I’ve discovered so much more, and it excites and inspires me. June is an important month in the Native American calendar, especially for the Haudenosaunee, as it is the season of strawberries. In addition to the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash), strawberries are a significant part of the culture, food source, and creation story. They are the first fruits of spring, and a leader of the berries. They are singled out for thanksgiving in the welcoming address before ceremonies.
Strawberries are sweet and tart, red and juicy. They can be enjoyed on their own or in other foods, mixed into salads, pureed into ice cream or yogurt, sat atop cakes or baked right in. They are refreshing and if you’re lucky, plentiful in June.
There are two Strawberry Festivals that you should know about happening in the next few weeks:
The 33rd Annual Strawberry Festival at the Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community west of Fonda, New York on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, and
Both events are filled with strawberry goodness, Haudenosaunee Mohawk culture, Native music and dancers, and much more! Check their flyers and websites for admission prices.
If you are in Fonda, stop by up the road and visit the St. Kateri Tekakwitha: National Shrine & Historic Site, celebrating the 350th anniversary of St. Kateri’s baptism on the site. She is the first North American Native Saint canonized by the Catholic Church.
If you decide on Kahnawake, don’t forget your passport for the border! You can also visit the Canadian National Shrine for St. Kateri where her relics are entombed. Contact the Kahnawake Tourism also to set up a tour of the village which sits on the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Last Thursday I attended mass. After some questions and wanderings, I found the side chapel which I hadn’t known existed at this church. I wasn’t late, but I was barely on time. The way the room was set up I didn’t know how the communion would go, but I put that aside.
This was my first visit since I made the commitment to attend Thursday mass throughout Lent. You can see the photos above that show you the spareness of the Lenten decor, and it was lovely to be in the simplicity with no distractions from the Word.
When mass was over, something unexpected happened. The monstrance was set up for adoration. I hadn’t known that there was an adoration period, and since I had no other plans, I thought I would stay, and what I found was peace. Contentment. In this moment, this unexpected comfort and full of comfortable sitting.
Some who stayed were sitting, some were reading, all praying.
I was sitting with prayer and some were also; some of us were just sitting with Jesus.
This was the second time in a year that I found myself accidentally at adoration, and it seems to me that in these two times, this is where I was meant to be. I could feel the presence of the holy spirit. It didn’t occur to me to leave, and so I stayed, and when I felt the call end, I went about my day.
I also wondered: could I read my current book? Reading a book, sitting side by side with Him.
I heard Mr. Esposito express this at an event online, and it stayed with me. I hope it can inspire you as well.
This was an offering leftover from a retreat (that I did not attend), and again, it is something that spoke to me, and stayed with me for the following few weeks. Take from here what you need, and leave something in the comments for fellow readers.
This weekend I went on a much anticipated writing retreat with three writing colleagues. We have been meeting every two weeks for the past year, and the amount of feedback, suggestions, and camaraderie we’ve each received has been a glorious blessing.
We each had our own private bedroom as we shared other accommodations and a small conference room for meeting together and writing.
We interspersed our own writing with writing prompts and exercises to jump start our creativity and we enjoyed snacks, candy, and company and remarkably we each got quite a lot done on our individual projects.
As the “host” I had several goodies planned and I just loved both aspects of hosting and of participating.
The shared space worked out amazingly well, and we have tentatively scheduled another retreat in the fall.
Moving forward from this weekend, I have some goals set that need to be formally set down with specific timelines:
• Sample Book Cover • Book Title Ideas • Chapter Headers (each chapter needs): – Titles – Picture, sketch, or quotation – Fictional narrative of this aspect of Kateri’s life, especially related to the shrines • Timeline both of the formal governments & of Kateri’s life • Questions to be answered
I’m looking forward to the rest of the week, planning, meeting again on Zoom, and focusing on the direction of my book.
Happy Writing to All of Us!
Caption for Photo Collage above:
Our reserved dining table for the weekend
A beautiful necklace one of my colleagues gave me
Protest sign created for April 5th Hands Off protest that three of our group went to
Chocolate chip scone & cup of hot, black tea with milk
Our conference room where we met, laughed, read, and wrote
We haven’t gotten through the first week of January, and our potential is still out there. Still within us, ready to break forth. Our ambition. Our motivation. Our inspiration. How will we keep it at the forefront in the coming months?
I’ll share five ways that I plan on being inspired this year.
Remember that everything *is* connected, and look at the world that way. How is what I’m doing affecting the people and spaces around me? Be aware. Be present. And sometimes, be still.
Setting Intentions. I have a great new planner for the year and it has space for weekly and monthly planning/goals/ progression, and I’m hoping to stick with it all year.
My writing group and their encouragement, their feedback, their continuing friendship.
Taking what I need and leaving the rest. Good advice in any situation and hopefully will maintain lower stress even as the world becomes more stressful.
Carry an umbrella, bring a sweater or hoodie, tuck a notebook and a pen in a bag, and go. Go forward. And take notes.
Inspired. (c)2025
Intentionality. (c)2025
Inclusivity. (c)2025
Interconnectedness. (c)2025
My four words for the beginning of the year. They may stay all year; they may transform; they may be added to or replaced. And that will be okay because it will be what I need at that moment. Follow along and let’s see how it goes.
Now that the Catholic (Liturgical) New Year has begun, and the Global New Year is on the horizon, I thought that for this last inspired of 2024 I would share five things I’m grateful for and five intentions I plan for the upcoming months.
A couple of weeks ago while I was on a retreat weekend, I did a few sketches. I haven’t done that in awhile, so I was glad that I took the time and enjoy the solitude of sketching and then the inking. A small inspiration to get through the next few weeks.
Griffins and Ginger Snaps 