Sunshine & Rain

I took this photograph on my first trip to Scotland, back in April 2004.

Our first stop outside of Edinburgh was Blair Castle and the grounds were so lovely!  We even met our first Highland cow...awww.

I was transfixed with everything I saw and couldn't stop clicking away with my camera.  I switched to color film after this and never turned back.

***

This is an 8x10 matted (size includes mat) print of a sundial in the rain, Perthshire, Scotland. Mat color is black.


Scottish Sundial Photo Print - SOLD

XO

Easy Does It

Eilean Donan Castle, 2004

Last week's Creative Dreaming assignment was to look at our journey so far and see what came easy.

We always hear about artist's suffering for their work and passions...no pain, no gain, right?

This doesn't always have to be true.

When I started on this journey I remember asking that the process be joyful because I couldn't handle the changes coming in a cataclysmic, traumatic way.  I've had enough trauma over the years and I'm sure I'll have more in my life...so PLEASE let the course to my dreams be exciting and happy.

Has it been so far?  I'd say, mostly yes.  There has also been a lot of hard work and some unhappiness along the way.  I've begun to feel grateful for the unhappiness though, because I've started to realize that it's another tool to help me leverage my way into the dream.

So, back to what came easy.

Nothing that came easy came without work...let me say that right up front.  All the work that I've been doing on myself...the love I'm cultivating for my passion, for Scotland.  That has all been (joyous) work...but when I've stepped back and rested between the work, wonderful things have come to me.

*Writing this blog is (wonderful) work and it has yielded new friends in Edinburgh, a place to stay the next time I'm in town, and direction for my dreams...just by writing about my passions and thoughts. It even brought me the opportunity to profess my love to Edinburgh...

*Someone suggested I try a Reiki treatment 4 years ago, and I quickly found a place around the corner from my apartment.  That led me to research other alternative therapies and to eventually be attuned to give treatments myself. I discovered that there was a whole other world out there for me...

*My herbal path was laid out in front of me when I got an e-mail for a course called "The Art of Herbal Medicine Making," and a little voice inside me prodded me to take it...which led to "Herbal Alternatives to Antibiotics," which led to a workshop and weed walks...and now two years into a wonderful apprenticeship...

*The herbal medicine led me to cook more...

*Having leftover yarn prompted me to pick up the needles again...

*A gift of the Outlander books led me to want to check out Scotland because it sounded pretty...

*A fun, crazy, road trip around the UK in 2004...turned into something deeper than I could have ever planned...

*My love for Scotland, and a little voice telling me I needed to be there for my 30th birthday, led me to a retreat week in Forres where I had the idea for this blog...

*A magazine my Mother left on my bed led me to Iona and the "Matter Matters" week a year later...

*An e-mail newsletter about "Pilgrimage for Change" is leading me back...


Other things have been coming to me as well...possible and actual extra income, help with my website, new ideas for my dream business, new friends, opportunities, and so much support from the dearest people! The unsolicited outpouring of love never fails to touch and surprise me. I appreciate it more than I could ever express...and accepting it gets easier every day.

XO

Pilgrimage for Change

Iona Abbey

So...for anyone wondering about this mystery workshop I'm doing on Iona...here is the scoop.

Let me begin by saying that my first trip to Iona made a huge impact on me.  I am so blessed to have spent such a wonderful week with some truly wonderful souls in October 2009.

Here are some blogs I wrote about my first Iona experience while in Scotland and then upon my (reluctant) return to New York.

The Seeds for Iona

Iona, in the Beginning

Taking the Plunge 

Life Run

Wednesday on Iona

Pilgrimage Day

The St. Columba Hotel

Matter Matters

Iona Stones

Pilgrimage for Change, St Columba Hotel, Iona, Scotland
(9-16 April 2011)


In April 2011 John Philip Newell, along with his wife Ali, will be leading Pilgrimage for Change, a week on the Isle of Iona for young adults, 20 and 30 year olds, seeking inner and outer transformation in their lives and world. Iona over the centuries has been a place of new beginnings and commitment to peace. In the development of his work and vision, John Philip has placed a priority on working with young leaders in the belief that they hold part of the key to new beginnings in our world. Pilgrimage for Change is designed to support this work.

Each day on Iona will begin and end with the rhythm of prayer and meditation together, either at the Abbey or elsewhere on the island. In the mornings John Philip will teach on themes related to the oneness of the human soul and the healing of creation, asking what sacrifices we are to make in our lives as individuals, as nations, and as a species, if we and the world are to be well. The afternoons will be given to hiking, conversation, and rest, and in the early evenings Ali will lead us in embodiment practices of chant and meditative movement and further reflection on the way of transformation in our world. On at least one of the days we will walk the seven-mile island pilgrimage route together to reflect on the journey of our lives and universe. Wholesome breakfasts and evening meals, with provision from the organic gardens of the hotel, are an important part of our community life together.

Participants are welcome to bring children to stay in the hotel with them and to participate in mealtimes but the programme sessions will not include children. This means that participants with children will need to provide their own childcare. We know, for instance, that at least one granny intends to come and look after her grandchild during the sessions!

For costs and registration information contact info@stcolumba-hotel.co.uk

Scholarships: The recently formed foundation ‘Friends of John Philip Newell’ www.fojpn.com is offering a limited number of scholarships for this event – International Scholarships ($1000 USD) and British Scholarships ($500 USD). Scholarship awards will be announced by the end of December 2010. For further information and application forms contact Helenmarie Zachritz, Executive Vice President of Friends of John Philip Newell at helenmariez@gmail.com

Yay! Two Years of The Lion's Share!!!

 Edinburgh!

I started to write a creative dreaming blog for Yah Dreams! when I realized that The Lion's Share's second anniversary was right around the corner.

So much has happened during my two years writing this blog.

I started with, "Today is Where I Am"

And where am I today?

I am in total joy and gratitude for so many things.

• I am about to start having Lion's Share gatherings...which was one of my first ideas back in 2008 in my room at Newbold House, in Scotland.
  
  
• I've been back to Scotland and am returning this April for another J. Philip Newell workshop on Iona and some amazing time in Edinburgh.
  
  
• I've been to Dublin for a long weekend to see The Waterboys, celebrate and drink Guinness at the source :)
  
  
• I've had a photo in a group show down on the lower east side with my women artists' salon (I also run the blog!!!)
  
  
• I've been exploring my creative dreams with ABCcreativity...including some amazing coaching!
  
  
• I wrote a little item about my love for Dr. Who for TV Guide Magazine and it was printed!
  
  
• I'm almost finished with the second year of my herbal apprenticeship (also an idea I had in my room at Newbold...)
  
  
• After a long hibernation period, I'm really connecting to and taking care of myself.
  
  
• I was asked to write an article about my love for Edinburgh for Edinburgh Spotlight!
  
  
• "Sowing the Seeds of Abundance" has been going really well. I continue to see my debt reduced and my savings increase.

 My heather plant is coming along nicely!

A lot of stuff going on here...it's so exciting!

Stay tuned for some info on purchasing some LionArt Creations.  I want to clear out my inventory and I think I'm going to offer some artistic treats in exchange for donations (see the "donate" button under the "about" section on the upper right of this page).

Thank You All for reading and sharing this amazing journey with me!

XO

Sqeezing the Joy Out of My Dreams...

Beginnings of a New Vision...

I have the elements of a new vision board lying on my floor...and I realized that my dreams are bigger than the board I've set aside for visioning!  That's definitely a metaphor for my life right now.

I have such big dreams, and yet I tend  to think smaller as a sort of safety net. When in reality, thinking smaller than my dreams will most likely make me come up short.

Well...that's enough of that!!!

This week's Creative Dreaming assignment was to "Squeeze the Joy Out of Our Dreams..."

So that is what I did.

In the recent tidal wave of dreams re-visited and re-establishing a healthy life style...I really did it up this past week.

~I put a deposit down on my next workshop in Scotland (woohoo!) and I assure you I meditated quite a lot on being back in Edinburgh and Iona.  Every time a photo popped up on my work computer I had a very different feeling.  No more longing for when I'll return, but excitement and a sense of homecoming for when I'll be back!  That's a great shift. And I haven't (really) worried about the money at all. That's a great sign to me that I'm on the right track.

~I made plans for my first Lion's Share gathering and sent out the invitations!

~I spent some quality time at home in the mornings...writing and simply relaxing. Oh, and I turned in my papers to renew my passport, aka my ticket to joy ;)

~I really immersed myself back into all the things that had led me to joy and myself years ago.  Like doing the Inner Mean Girl Cleanse and reading inspirational books...a little self-help tune up, if you will. It's all reminded me of the person I have set out to be...and continue to evolve into.

I finished the week off with my September Apprenticeship day. That always gives me what I need in that moment (this time we learned how to make cream and gave ourselves herbal facials after spending some magical time up on the mountain in the woods). I returned to find a receipt from the St. Columba Hotel on Iona...for the workshop!  It was addressed completely wrong (my name was correct!) and yet it still made it to me.

Then, Sunday, my first restorative yoga class.  Amazing.

I've also been given the gift of childhood joys like sleeping on the floor and watching TV on my bed...and being outside stirring up magical potions of water and dirt (an apprenticeship practice).

I can think of no better way to connect with joy, than to be child-like for a weekend.

Now...all I need is a bigger board!

XO

Birthday Vacation and Revelations

The remains of the fresh, raw milk...

I've been on a bit of a vacation since my birthday and rummaging through my toolbox...

I went to my Mom's in CT for the weekend and enjoyed some quiet and together time with family.  We ate breakfast at Crescent Beach:

...traveled to Lyme in pursuit of raw milk at Beaver Brook Farm:

 The Wool Shop @ Beaver Brook Farm

...had lunch at The Black Sheep and walked in McCook's Park (where we heard bagpipes...I kid you not...) with my cousins:

 View of Hole in the Wall Beach

Long Island Sound

And to finish off Saturday, we had a wonderful bbq at my Sister's with one of my nephews taking great pains to make sure the candles were placed perfectly on my cake (awww) and the other being adorable as usual (they are both adorable, of course)!

Sunday I bought yarn at A.C. Moore for a delicious cabled sweater pattern :)

It was a really nice weekend...reminding me even more how I want to be in quieter surroundings as soon as I can manage it.

To add to the loveliness,  I've had a couple days off of work this week! I've been cooking and knitting and sleeping in...aaah.

I seem to be indulging myself right through the end of the month! I visited an acupuncture clinic near my apartment and then booked a massage while there and I just purchased a Creative Healing session!

My head is spinning (but in a good way) since I realized I've been neglecting myself in lieu of "PAY THE BILLS, SAVE, SAVE SAVE!!!" I seem to be making up for it. ;) The debt reduction and savings plan is still very important to me, of course, but I was beginning to lose my creative and blissful way. I think, in future, I need to take more steady care of myself instead of exploding with it all in one week.

I have also realized that I want to start practicing my Reiki again and eventually be attuned to level 3.  So I am offering short healing sessions on a donation basis. If anyone is interested, you can e-mail me for more info!

But wait, there's more!!!

I'll be starting Lion's Share gatherings...hopefully in late October.  I'm going to experiment by having a lovely weekend full of cooking and togetherness at my cousin's in CT.  We've been trying to do this for over a year!

The more official Lion's Share Circles will be potluck and/or helped along by donations (I'm putting a donation button, here, in the sidebar).  I was inspired by "Julie & Julia" because I don't have sufficient cash on hand to throw parties on my own. Each get together will feature wonderful food and have themes such as knitting, dream-boarding, reiki, etc. I hope these gatherings will begin to foster the sense of community I want to create (and enjoy)!

And last, but certainly not least...it looks like I'll be returning to Scotland in the Spring!!!  I received word (the day before my birthday) of another workshop on Iona and really want to participate (more info on that in another post).

So, here's to a wonderful year of living and moving forward. 32 will be amazing.

XO

The Best Laid Plans...

Princes Street Gardens, 2008

It's sort of scary when you start to form a concrete "plan." I have to put the word "plan" in quotes because I know very well that I could try to plan everything down to the wire and yet something could topple the whole scheme completely. I tend to work better in open and organic circumstances. It's a lot more fun and custom fit too…to follow our unique roads and marvel at the scenery as it passes by. To watch our dream destinations get closer and closer.

It's also scary when you share said "plan" with others. In one way it's liberating and awesome because  it's out there but in another it's open to criticism, nay-sayers, and folks who might be upset by or threatened by it. I have also had unfortunate experiences over these past (almost) 32 years when trusting others with my dreams. I began to feel very protective so I wouldn't be "stripped" for ideas or swallowed up by "grabby" energy, feeling betrayed in the end. That's when a person starts to hoard their dreams and ideas and they begin to feel smothered. Not a good feeling.

I admit these are very candid thoughts. I started to resent feeling like I had to squirrel away my dreams for fear that someone else might try to usurp them. I completely understand that it's usually in a subconscious way that stems from low self esteem, but still...

I've recently started to share again (slowly) with lovely people who I feel safe with. It's all been a very big part of my regrouping...because sharing is what I want to do.

So…back to the "plan" :)

I am still in the midst of saving money and paying down debt. I feel that has been the story for a while now, although lots of other yummy stuff has been simmering in the background.

I am doing well on the debt front. I've managed to consolidate the credit card woes down to one…so I just have that and my student loan outstanding. I've also been putting money into my savings account and (for the most part) not touching it…even for my Apprenticeship. Though at times the balance still feels light years away from where I want/need it to be...

I want to finish my Apprenticeship (which will be another year after this November). I'm learning so many amazing things about myself there that I know it's integral to my future. By then my savings and debt should be under even better control!

***

I get quotes everyday via e-mail and these are ringing very true to me right now:

"The buffer of time gives you the opportunity to get it right before it manifests, to take pleasure from the vision and from the molding it into place... Can you imagine if everything was manifesting instantly? You would manifest this, and then you would manifest it away. And then you'd manifest that, and then... It would be a difficult thing if you were instantly manifesting every whim or every misaligned thought. It's so much better that you have this buffer of time where you can feel it into perfection before it manifests into your experience."
--- Abraham 

Excerpted from the [Abraham Hicks] workshop in Ashland, OR on Tuesday, May 16th, 2000 #514


"Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success."

-Dale Carnegie

***

And now we come to the Scottish part of my plan.  I won't put that plan in quotes because it will be. The "how's" are the only thing in question. I think I'll  refer to it as "Project Thistle"  :)

I've started making a list of all the things I think I want to do out there. So far I have:

• A writing workshop or retreat (or both) in the Highlands
• A cooking class on the Isle of Skye
• Gaelic course on Skye
• Working in exchange for lodging with a friend on Skye
• Experience week in Findhorn
• Volunteering in various places (Iona, replant trees in Highlands, etc)
• Classes at The University of Edinburgh
• Lion's Share week(s) with friends in Edinburgh (and other places)
• Woof it?

The list keeps growing and I welcome more ideas…collaborations? I figure I can start researching the costs and put together a proposal for a grant. Whether it be an educational or artist grant, I'm not sure. And I'd have to research visas...etc.  I will, of course document the whole experience here :)

More aspects of the "plan" are to expand my blog and hopefully start creating income with it. I have been given a few good ideas from friends (including an e-book of my recipes and selling my photos). I want to start budgeting my time accordingly so I can move forward! It's as if I'm living a double life at times. The commuting into the city every day for office-work Lee Ann and the Earth Mama, cook, writer, photographer, all around creative being Lee Ann. The latter hasn't been given enough space and time to grow lately.

Happily I do feel as if the dam is breaking (in a good way). My good friend Sara is embarking on a new phase in her life and I feel like it is another one of those happy/sad catalysts. I will miss seeing her in the office every day but I know it's the beginning of a shift.

One by one the winds change and blow us in the directions we are meant to go.

XO

Saturday Night Out in Dublin

 Scotland/Ireland Scarf

Scotland was in town for rugby and had just won the game when we left our hotel for The Abbey Theatre.  So we joined the flood of joyous, kilted men along O'Connell street. Us on our way to the concert, them to the Temple Bar area for celebrations.

We joined in later.  I do recall making eye contact with a handsome Scottish man at McDonalds earlier in the evening (I was afraid we'd be late for the concert, so I asked that we unhealthily eat some quick fries there). I had an idea that it would be hilarious to travel to different countries and only eat at McDonalds...or Burger King...and then blog about it. But I digress.

In high spirits after The Waterboys show, we made our way to the Temple Bar area and found a bar where the whole crowd was singing along to "We are the Champions." Scotland was in the house. The jukebox then segued into "Eye of the Tiger!" Excellent.  After a Guinness, my fringe dress decided to make advances when it snagged on a very attractive man's pants.  I'm still not sure what it caught on but no matter! I was forced to reach over and stop him, lest he rip my dress.  He seemed rather confused, but not unhappy, as I reeled him in to unhook myself. He responded (in a lovely Scottish voice) "I thought you were grabbing onto me!"  :)  Hee Hee. Maybe my dress had the right idea!

After singing along to some truly awesome 1980s power ballads...we were off to another bar. There we met three Irish fellows...and one of them spilled my Guinness. Shame! But he bought me another and we spent time talking with his two friends. I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time.  My favorite moment was when I was offered 50 Euros to knock the beer-spiller out cold. I laughingly said, "But I have no upper body Strength!" and the response was, "But you have a bar stool and the element of surprise!"  Priceless.

The evening ended on an anti-climactic note when the beer-spiller got kicked out of another bar...but we had all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

"All the single ladies, put your hands up!!!"

 The blurriness in no way reflects Sara's state...or mine :)

Matter Matters

 Cloisters, Iona Abbey

I have always considered myself a spiritual person instead of a religious person.  Matter Matters and my time on Iona ended up being something I had been searching for without knowing it. 

To prepare for the week I purchased two of J. Philip Newell's books: Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter and Listening for the Heartbeat of God.  I began this whole journey by using the prayers in Sounds of the Eternal as my morning and evening meditation time. This is something I continue to do since my return to New York.

Both of these were quite a revelation for someone who has been searching for a form of faith and worship that felt more in tune with who I am for years. Celtic Spirituality really speaks to me...and I'm very eager to learn more.

The tone of the week was really refreshing. There was nothing age specific...I feel it's something anyone in a similar head and heart space would benefit from greatly.

The combination of Philip's sessions at the hotel, Neil's outdoor activities, and the Iona landscape made for a perfect combination.  Reconnecting body and spirit...something I have been yearning for. I know a lot of people would love to experience this. We definitely spent the week "Listening for the Heartbeat of God..." and on Iona, it was very easy to hear.

As I look through my notes, everything I have written down shows the importance of and need for connection, relationships and love. Living in a city like New York, it's very easy to start feeling isolated after a while...even in the midst of all those people.  You ironically lose a sense of community.  Matter Matters gave me a sense of what I've been missing and I will be forever grateful.

The Cloisters, Iona Abbey

 

Between the Columns (cloisters)

Celtic Cross

The St. Columba Hotel

I can't talk about the retreat week and not mention the hotel because it was such a big part of the experience.


The St. Columba Hotel is a wonderful place to stay and get away from it all.  It felt like a home instead of just a hotel. If we were hanging out in the lounge late at night we'd simply be asked to shut off the lights when we were through...and we could line up our wet shoes on the hearth to dry after a day of walking through wet grass.

The rooms were very comfortable with adjustable heat and hot showers! The first trip I made to Scotland, I stayed in hostels and would rate them well depending on whether or not there were hot showers.  :) 

NO TVs! A definite plus since when I vacation, I want to get away from TV too... Free WiFi and internet access for guests was a really nice bonus. Thankfully, I was able to post some blogs! Pretty much everything I needed, such as laundry service, was there so I never felt stressed out about anything. Sigh.

There was also a level of  trust in the hotel that I've not experienced before, because although they gave out keys, we never locked our doors.  Something unheard of where I come from!

Oh, and the food...THE FOOD!  I saved most of our menus...being the cooking blogger that I am. Some personal favorites were cullen skink, grilled salmon, honey and cider roast loin of pork, garden beetroot & orange soup (the hotel has its own organic garden...swoon), the bread, Scones, breakfast Fry-Ups...Nom Nom Nom...

And last but not least, the management and staff were excellent. They were very friendly and helpful.  The whole place has a youthful, peaceful, laid back feel and the efforts at being green and using local produce and products was so nice to see (right down to the soap and shampoo in the bathrooms).

So, thanks for everything guys!

XO


(There are more photos of the hotel and grounds in an earlier post "Wednesday on Iona")

Pilgrimage Day

Thursday, 10/29, was pilgrimage day...

We spent a wonderful day hiking over Iona... new friends helping one another and two lovely dogs bounding about.  It was glorious. 

I started the morning with my third and final swim...impressing the hell out of myself on many different levels...then we were off!

We covered a lot of ground, both physically and spiritually.  Throughout the walk we stopped to listen to a piece of scripture or to sing an Alleluia (in harmony, which I loved).

We did Tai Chi and drank from the well of eternal youth (one of my new friends told me I wasn't allowed to drink because I'm too young already :)

It was a day of choosing our steps carefully, yet boldly...helping each other out (sometimes stepping in each other's footprints for steady footing), hearing the squish of our feet in the moist earth and the tide filtering musically through the many stones on the seashore; of climbing hills and slippery slopes...approaching a crossroads and choosing a way...letting go of certain things while holding on to others...

It was beautiful.

 

 

 

 

Happy Feet

Life Run

Tuesday, 10/27, started with my first dip in the water at 7:00am and then later, a "Life Run" (which I described earlier as a "Spiritual Amazing Race").  It was a wonderful, solitary, tour of parts of the island. We weren't just exploring Iona though, we were exploring our souls.

The rain was coming down, but it didn't matter. We all made our way from spot to spot with our journals...opening little envelopes to find out our writing tasks before running off to our next post. I can't tell you how meditative I found the whole morning.  I have a clear memory of hearing my breath mixing with the wind as I left "The Bay at the Back of the Ocean."  Some new understanding had been reached within my heart.  It was very magical.

I didn't take my camera with me, amazingly.  I found that I really just wanted to be completely present and part of the elements. All the images of that day are special and just for me and my new friends...who were all working together in spirit if not physically so.  Another favorite memory I have is coming upon my new friend Bev as she was just going under the water and applauding her as she emerged.  Team building at its best.

The race ended with another "swim."  I feel very grateful for the different energies I was able to experience over the 3 different dips.  Tuesday morning it was just me, Philip and Neil...so I was "one of the guys" and there was a definite sense of "Let's Do This Thing!" In the afternoon I went with three of my new lady friends...so it was more like, "Wheee!" The third dip was on Thursday morning with Neil and my friend Cindy...so it was a balance...not sure there was a lot of "whee!" in the air but the expectation was different since we'd all done it already.  In some ways it was harder without the rain to sort of ease me into being all wet again...but the sense of achievement was always there.

What a way to spend a day.

XOXO

Taking the Plunge...

I found myself in the middle of, quite possibly, one of the loveliest groups of people I have ever met. The best situations tend to be the most random, don't they? Here we were a bunch of strangers who immediately bonded and became friends, it was extraordinary!

Another important thing to note, is that I was the youngest attendee by quite a few years and yet I never felt that way...I was an equal. I suppose it should have occurred to me to ask what the age range would be since the magazine my Mom put on my bed was AARP...but nah...

This age split turned out to be one of the many gifts of the week. I floated around between everyone and learned so much about love and trust and relationships (not what I thought the week would bring, that's for sure).

Iona effortlessly stripped away all unnecessary layers and it was all me. I was shown how letting go is actually easy when you're in the right place and how simple things can be when you look to the heart of life. I took three dips in The Sound of Iona...simply because I knew that I had to. I mean, how many chances does one get to go for an Autumnal swim in Scotland (hopefully I'll get many more in the future!) I had decided that I wasn't going to let fear make my decisions for me, especially if the bigger part of me wants to do it. I'm so glad I did! Now, whenever I wonder if I'm capable of something, I'll feel the rain on my face and the cold water enveloping then releasing me to a warmer place.


XOXO

The Seeds for Iona...

I've been trying to wrap my head around my time on Iona...and I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to break it all down into a few different blogs.

It was such a deeply personal journey...and since this isn't my journal...I'm trying to separate the two.

First of all, I need to give a big shout out to my Mom for putting the magazine article about John Philip Newell's workshop/retreat weeks on my bed shortly after my last visit to Scotland. I had put my wish out to the Universe to return to Scotland as soon as possible and to have it be some sort of group activity...and Boom! an article about Iona, and Philip, turned up on my childhood bed (with another about Edinburgh on the reverse side). I said, "What's this?" and Mom responded..."It's about Scotland."

Indeed, it was.

I took the website info down and found out when the next Iona week would be. This particular week was titled, Matter Matters: A Celtic Perspective Led by John Philip Newell and Neil Harvey. I researched Iona very little in the process. All I really knew of Iona was that it was beautiful...and the songs by Mike Scott and The Waterboys :)

Matter Matters had the following description:

"Iona has been described as a thin place, in which the veil between heaven and earth is translucent. Here we see more readily the glory of creation in the Celtic world. ‘Matter Matters’ will be a physically rigorous week of reflection and exercise, of pilgrimage hikes and community sharing led by John Philip Newell along with Neil Harvey, in which we renew our spiritual commitment to matter, whether that be the matter of the human body, the matter of creation, or the matter of the body politic and how we relate as nations."

After debating in my head, and checking with my boss, I contacted the St. Columba Hotel to reserve a space. Then I set about saving money and buying supplies. The fact that I'd be going alone and being with a big group of strangers didn't even phase me, when in the past that would have been enough to make me count it out immediately.

A short while before I was to fly out I got an e-mail from the hotel about the week...it started off with the above description and the following:

"Each day will begin and end together with the rhythm of prayer and meditation, either at the Abbey or elsewhere on the island. After breakfast the mornings will be given to teaching and sharing with John Philip and on Tuesday to an outdoor activity with Neil . On the Thursday we will walk the island pilgrimage route together, so sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing are essential for the week! Wholesome breakfasts and evening meals, with provision from the organic gardens of the hotel, will be an important part of our shared community life. Lunches and afternoon hours will be free for solitude and rest."


Sounds pretty good so far, right?

Indeed, it was.

I set out for Scotland on October 22nd...arrived and had a wonderful day in Edinburgh on the 23rd, and was off to Iona the morning of the 24th. The day's travels went so smoothly...I even met a new friend who was also bound for Iona and we kept each other company.

When we finally arrived on Iona that evening, I walked towards a man wearing an orange rain jacket to ask where the St. Columba Hotel was. It turned out to be John Philip Newell.

My week had begun.

XOXO

Thursday in Edinburgh: Part 3

As soon as I finished posting "Thursday in Edinburgh: Part 2" I began "Part 3" of my day. (and please forgive the myriad of fonts I have going on here...I have no idea how I managed that).

I walked over to The Grassmarket to meet my friends at a cafe called, "The Lot." It was really nice and chill, and my friends were knitting! So I settled in with a very large bottle of Williams Black Ale...and a snack of olives. It was delicious!

After some wonderful conversation we headed for the bus and down to a bar and cafe called "Roseleaf."

I love this place! I was amusing my friend Christina because everything about it filled me with glee...from the home made Ginger Beer cocktail served in teapot and teacups...to the discovery of cake forks! I'd never seen such a thing! Needless to say the food blogger in me took over and my camera was out (if I looked like a silly tourist so be it!)

Ginger Beer w/Rum

Cullen Skink

Cake Fork!

Apple Cupcake

It was a wonderful penultimate day and evening in Edinburgh. Now, as I write this, it's Friday night and I'm extremely sad to be leaving early in the morning. My only consolation is that I know I'll be back...there's really no question about that because I love it too much.

Today we traveled over to The Sheep Heid Inn for lunch. I had wanted to go last visit but never made it. The Sheep Heid is the oldest Public House in Scotland (according to "The Local's Guide to Edinburgh"). It's very cozy and laid back. We enjoyed some beer and sausages and mustard mash with red wine gravy, then went down to the bar area for some tea. At one point a woman came in with her adorable West Highland Terrier and I was just delighted.

The Sheep Heid

After tea we walked back around and over the Arthur's Seat area...so I got to spend a few more moments out there which I cherish :)

I'm about to head back out to the cash machine and market for dinner fixings. I'm quite excited over cooking something while here...now...what to make???

I'll report back, of course.

XO

Thursday in Edinburgh: Part 2

So...I found myself walking around the hills all afternoon...meditating on an obliging rock...almost falling down the side of the mountain...like you do... :)

My trousers (I am in Britain, after all) are filthy. Mud has joined the salt water stains left from my "Swims" on Iona. They look gorgeous ;)

I found a real sense of bliss up there...and I noticed how everyone seems to stand on the edges and spread their arms out wide...welcoming the world. I did this too, along with running down paths furiously clicking away with my camera. I find, however, that there is no way for me to accurately show you all just how breath-takingly beautiful it is here. But I'll keep trying :) Every time I turn around, gorgeousness hits me in the face and I keep exclaiming, "Come On!!! It can't be real!"

Oh...but it is...

They keep following me!

My meditation rock of choice for the day



At the Top


Leaving my mark :) (The Lion was already there...)

XO

Now...I'm off for a pint. Knitting was canceled. I"ll just have to make the best of it ;)