Welcome to a journey of tending hearts & mending life.

My overall purpose of this blog is to create a connection between the adventure that I experience, and you, wherever you are in the world. It’s a slow, circuitous journey connecting us in ways invisible. For me, connection often comes in story form, threaded through a core memory of my life. I invite us to take a minute, or ten… connect with your self, to take in the views of our surroundings, to breathe in memories, and on occasion, take a siesta. Verandas are social places, and sacred spaces…a perfect place for tending hearts & mending life.

When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Khalil Gibran~ Writer

April 22, 2026, we were returning to the ship from a wonderful excursion that took us along the very scenic highway from Puerto de la Cruz to Tenerife. As the motor coach wove its’ way through the “tunnel with windows”, I happened to notice the word “NO” emblazoned on the concrete wall. “Graffiti!” I thought to myself, “Why would anyone write the word NO on a wall?” My indignant thought quickly faded as we rounded the corner to more impressive sights.

Fast forward 24 hours, and I am squeezing into the front seat of a small ambulance with two young EMT’s in Agadir, Morocco. We are dock side of the ship, which looms over us as a protective friend might. I glance up through the front windshield. Fellow travelers standing on their verandas are watching with interest. My best friend, on a stretcher, has been loaded into the back of the ambulance. Nothing has prepared me for this scene. I feel like I am out of my body watching these events unfold from afar.

And then, I think of the blue spray-painted word: “NO”. Suddenly, I understand. It’s a shout of defiance…”NO…this can’t be happening!”, “NO, I don’t want to leave!”, “NO, it’s not time for my dream trip to be over!”, “NO, I don’t want it to end this way!”

Despite the drama of misdiagnoses, language barriers, and misunderstanding, my travel companion is well. The ship left without us. We flew home with heavy hearts, still reeling with all of the emotions of a trip interrupted. And, for the last week I have been thoroughly interrogating the Universe as to “WHY!”

Perhaps a more useful question is, “What will I learn from this experience?”

THREE VISTAS

(TOP) Agadir, Morocco airport, (BOTTOM) Tunnel near Puerto de la Cruz, Canary Island; “Cloud Peak”Iris in my garden.

TWO THOUGHTFUL THREADS

• Kindness is a universal truth. No matter the life situation thrown to us, we can always choose to respond to others with kindness.
• Another dream achieved: Ten days, and counting, the debut of my new children’s book, A Magical Summer Day! Please check out my Home (author) page for details of how to order. It’s the perfect book to celebrate summer!

ONE HISTORICAL THREAD

Canterbury Cathedral was founded by St. Augustine in 597 AD, under the direction of Pope Gregory the Great. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Church of England, this sacred space entwines the pilgrimage of humanity through art, architecture, music and it’s long history with England.