According to the Internet, the temperature for the Irish Sea near Wicklow, Ireland is 46 degrees today. It’s hard to believe that it was just a few weeks ago that I ventured into these waters. Afterward, a friend asked, “are you mentally unstable?” Another worried that I’d get pneumonia. Others simply wondered, “why?” Why? Good […]
On the darkest daythe candle continuesto lure metowards its orange glow. Top of jar blackened by rising smokeremaining interiorcaked in waxexcept for a small circlea window to its soul. I catch glimpsesof the dancing flameas it shows offits alivenessand I wonder:Is this flamealive in me? Happy winter solstice! Bridget Copyright (c) 2023, Bridget Purdome, ThePearlDivers.com.
On the Darkest Day Read More »
As the days grow shorter, I love the return of the holiday lights. It’s only mid-November, and I’ve already participated in several early displays: ZooLights in Lincoln Park, the Great Tree in the Walnut Room, and the City of Chicago’s 110th Tree Lighting. Each was a beautiful, joy-filled outing with great companionship. These holiday light
I’m raking brown oak leaves on an early fall day watching the green yard emerge from below scattered with acorns and welcoming the open spaces. Used to working hard and staying busy,I’m tempted to yell to the old oak“Bring it on! Release more leaves!I can handle a heavier load!” The yard gently stops me inviting
I started my daily “woo” practice in anticipation of a long road trip with my 28-year-old. I knew that Ciaran was already fatigued from driving from Vancouver to Chicago, that they were feeling the stress of a big move and a new job, and that they may not appreciate my early morning enthusiasm. I was
As I say good-byeto the small, wooded condowith its speckled fawnsand golf cart traffic,moments of solitude and loud family gatheringsI’m keenly awareof my Dad’s Spiritclanging through the wind chimes. As I walk the lake pathone last timeI begin to realizewhy I’m here. This.This lapping lake.This pale blue sky.This sense of onenesswith it all.This deep knowing
Pulling weeds.Clipping dry stems.Creating space in the garden. Opening up space in me. To play.To breathe.To be. What is helping you to “be” this summer? Copyright (c) 2023, Bridget Purdome, ThePearlDivers.com. All rights reserved.
It wasn’t on our list of “don’t miss” stops along the Icefield Parkway in Banff National Park. And with a name like, “Herbert,” I didn’t have high expectations. I just needed to stretch my legs with a short walk to the lake. Now, don’t get me wrong – I have nothing against all of you
Reflecting. Sparkling. Read More »
Your vision is okay for driving,” the eye doctor said. “Do you want to see more clearly?” Hmmm…do I? Do I want to see the tiny red buds on spring trees? The fine features of robins, cardinals and blackbirds? The hands on the clock of a distant church? (Is there really a clock on that
Seeing more clearly? Read More »
Last spring, I had a startling sense of clarity after engaging in the simple contemplative practice of picking up sticks. A year later, I returned to the site of this epiphany. What happened? I picked up sticks. Pretty anticlimactic, huh? On the surface, yes. I walked, scanned the yard, picked up sticks, carried them to
Stirrings of spring Read More »