This small bird, who wears a jaunty streak of eyeliner, puts her head down, cocks up her short little tail, and hops, hops, hops along, picking up and dropping, over and over again, a wounded grasshopper until it finally ceases to move. After finishing her lunch she bounces along the top of our patio fence, … More The Wren
Okay, this is kind of out there for most of us…so put on your “imagine this” hat and have a go at imagining an out of this world experience! “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” This saying of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin makes me … More Spiritual Energy
Have you ever noticed the petite woodland wildflowers growing along the footpaths and on the hills in the Spring? They seem to be recklessly strewn by a divine hand! Few of us know their names and yet these flowers care not for their anonymity; their desire is simply to live fully in the moment, to … More Spring Wildflowers
We were hiking on a trail called Broken Arrow, saying our farewell to Sedona until our return next year. We were both commenting on and enjoying the beauty of the red rocks, and red earth. Mark was a little ahead of me on a narrow, hilly path strewn with large, lichen covered stones sitting on … More A Vortex Moment
This is dedicated to the circle of women in my life, my friends and teachers. You know who you are, and I hope you know you have my deepest gratitude for your presence in my life. With heartfelt love! Elle When I was a young woman I eschewed the company of women in favor of … More The Company of Women
You may or may not choose to celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, and you may strongly dislike the commercial aspects that surround the holiday; but whatever you believe, I hope you choose to be open to the spirit of the season. For me the spirit of the season is about mindfully setting time aside for … More Christmas Tokens
Since I began this blog I’ve written new stories and visited old stories and other things I’ve written and saved over the years. Some of the writing I like best I’ve found in letters, and this piece is spun off a letter to a niece I’d like to know better. I’ve only met her a … More Threads
Have you ever been surprised by an unexpected, uncomfortable feeling that arises from the memory of an old emotional wound you thought was healed long ago? You conscientiously did the work required to understand the situation, you looked at every aspect of it, changed your behavior if necessary, allowed yourself to grieve, and gave yourself … More Healing Old Wounds
Earlier in my life I strived to be a good daughter…a good wife…a good mother…a good friend…strived to be good at everything…but the problem was….. in my pursuit to be seen by others as “good”…. I was giving away all my good stuff! For a long time I believed I could do it all…work, make … More Learning to Fly
Her heart was filled with peace and joy when small birds spoke to her in beautiful voices, danced for her on tiny feet, lifted their wings and flew away. She thought about the life of a leaf on a tree…being warmed by the sun, cooled by the moon, fed by the earth where thirsty roots … More Find Your Song and Sing It!
When I was a young girl about sixty years ago, I loved watching Westerns on television. I admired the way the cowboys rode their horses, especially the trick riders who performed amazing stunts on their horse while riding at top speed. I loved the way they dressed, envied the feeling of so much fringe swinging … More Cowgirls, Cowboys, and Guns
Recently at a movie theatre I was absorbed by the tale of a young boy becoming a grownup, loving imperfectly, loving imperfect people, staying true to his own heart, embellishing reality, and holding onto cherished beliefs and dreams about life in spite of other’s challenges and failures around him. As I watched I was reminded … More My Time Now
ElleSpeak 