
Oswald Inside A Rainbow by Deborah Herriot-Howes & Illustrated by Georgi Danevski www.insidearainbow.com
Oswald Inside A Rainbow by Deborah Herriot-Howes & Illustrated by Georgi Danevski www.insidearainbow.com
FALL RELEASE 2017
Fascinating exploration of biblical concepts, correlations & near direct quotations in Plato's works. A transformational read by new author Adam Alfsen, proprietor of Alfsen House Books, Main Street, Markham, ON. Canada www.alfsenhouse-art.com
"What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" ~ Bible
"O tell me, what do possessions profit a man, if he have neither sense nor wisdom?" ~ Plato
ISBN: 978 -0-9950332-0-7
The autumn leaves stir such happy childhood memories. Luminous arrays of colour, fanning across crisp sunny skies swiftly carry me back in time to a tiny, overfilled cottage and the joyful clamour of Thanksgiving meals shared elbow to elbow alongside grandparents, parents, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and family dogs. Memories of a cosiness warmed by a potbelly fire became touchstones over the years of happy communions with people and nature. Afternoon walks in a golden world with breathtaking ornamental sprays of oranges and reds, crisp Mackintosh in hand (the kind you eat, not tap), the sweet smell of white birches, slim, graceful trunks rising from a blanket of canary yellow leaves, overlooking the cool, gray fall lake…I remember it like yesterday.
Was it here in this little alcove of northern Canadian paradise that the seeds of hope for a peaceful world first sewed themselves in my soul?
Certainly in the years going forward the memories of Granny’s cottage became a measuring stick against harsher, less forgiving encounters in the world. At the very least, these early experiences were my formative lessons in gratitude and appreciation.
Ultimately for me, the memories of a cozy cedar cottage cocooned in autumn bliss embody the essence of a world worth dreaming into being – a peaceful world, where every thought and action emerges in celebration of life.
I wonder what powers lay dormant in the reservoirs of our long forgotten joys that might help carry us forward into a new era of peace? The memories of Thanksgiving at Granny’s cottage certainly give me courage and hope.
I have known paradise.
I know in my heart we can find our way there again.
If only one microcosm of peace at a time, we shall find our way.
For the children's sake,
Shelley Richardson, M.Ed. ©2016
When the northern skies grow gray and cool fall winds lull the vibrant summer fields to sleep, we count our blessings from Mother who sustains us. The autumn splendour, a gift from Father in kind for our remembrance of her, for our Thanksgiving – our celebration of Life.
Infinite Blessings to all on this very special holiday,
Shelley Richardson, M.Ed. ©2016
The universal voice of Light, Love and Peace sings octaves above the pounding sea of chaos raging in the world today. Mis-creation has shallow roots in the Garden and therefore, no everlasting quality. This realization alone can give us hope.
Light, that which birthed the Universe into being and Love its weaver, is wisely visited in the sacred silence of our inner temple. There we attune our expression to the rhythm of the Cosmic song from our innermost core to the outermost reaches of our being.
We become that which we are: Love. Peace blooms effortlessly as an authentic, inherent quality of our being.
We remember our eternalness for our roots reach infinitely into the Universal Garden – the Garden of Light and Love that is Cosmos and human simultaneously.
We are One Garden, One Story.
Infinite Blessings,
Shelley Richardson ©2015
First spring tea today in my garden!
Admittedly, a little chilly in the crisp sunny breeze and the view so brown and withered but determined I was to be in Nature's presence for so long and icy was the winter. And soon I caught a glimpse....perhaps a gift in kind for my perseverance in the chilly wind. There among the lifeless branches, a tiny sprig of green so sweet, smiled at me. My beautiful Sage! She triumphed and will live to see another season!
The humble sight sparked such a ray of hope in my soul for a world of all good things. How is it such a tiny sprig ignites a fire of faith in me - not only for my Sage but for all humanity?
Like the appearances of this world that might tempt us into believing hope is lost, perhaps a second glance is warranted... a deeper, more thoughtful look at the reflections in the each other's eyes. There we will find her residing in a powerful grace, fortifying our spirits with courage and confidence - lighting our passage out of the labyrinth into a world in love with life and all Creation.
Infinite Blessings,
Shelley Richardson ©2014
Women Writing Letters presents...
"A Letter to My 16-Year Old Self"
Sunday April 13, 2014
2:30-4:00 pm
in the OISE Nexus Lounge,
at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) in Toronto.
Admission is $10.00.
After the letter reading, Gailey Road Productions will be launching Women Writing Letters: Season 2, a compilation of letters from last year's season of Women Writing Letters that includes Shelley Richardson's "Dear Eden.": "A Letter to My Best Present Ever."
Time, what is your pleasure?
To be measured out in dollops round a dial or a humble river flowing... igniting cycles of transformation everywhere?
Time, a friend eternal and no foe at all but a faithful companion to infinity.
Infinite Blessings,
Shelley Richardson ©2012
Photo Credit with Appreciation: Lohengrin
Two friends, one mile apart have no trail between them but of Christmas cards. And on each card a faithful post script: "We must get together in the New Year."
Forty winters or so pass and one friend bravely breaks the spell of illusion:
"Let's face it, Pat. We are never going to see each other again. Just know that I think of you often and wish you well. Merry Christmas."
Pat, now nearing the end of her life, keeps the card at her bedside. She smiles fondly now and then revisiting memories of their times together long ago. The winter thaws into spring, spring eases into summer and at last, summer gives way to fall. Pat passes away. The card remains on the table nearby.
One sad prophecy, needlessly comes true. Two friends, once a mile apart, now a world away.
P.S. ( Mom was an amazing lady who taught me so many lessons in life - but perhaps this one was the greatest - the value of the relationship we have with each other's hearts. I see only good can come from attending to the hearts in our midst with the most sincere and purest intention we can muster. In becoming masters of kindness and nurturing, we can only hope to move that much more swiftly toward a restoration of peace on the planet. Peace is coming - how swiftly is up to us. We can build it one relationship at a time.)
This post is dedicated in Loving Memory to:
Patricia Jane Anne Richardson October 5, 1932 - October 31, 2012.
P.P.S. ( Mom is the one on the left.)
Infinite Blessings of Love and Light to All!
Shelley Richardson
©2012
"I gave my garden love and it gave love back to me."
Infinite Blessings!
Shelley Richardson
Copyright 2012
photo: St. Philomena's Roses