I know it’s October, but the lure of Lake Michigan remains strong. On Saturday, I put my swimsuit on, layered it with clothes, and loaded up my bike basket before heading to my favorite beach. The whitecaps looked rough as I passed other Chicago beaches. It was clearly not a swim day, but the autumn […]
The Lure of Lake Michigan Read More »
Light filtering through its branches, Wise Oak is full and green even as crunchy hints of autumn litter the ground below. “I wonder, Wise Oak, how do you stand with such elegance while on the brink of so much loss?” The tips of Wise Oak sparkle and dance as the wind blows through. Wise Oak
Pondering with Wise Oak Read More »
I sat in the gray, dingy, basement classroom with two other volunteers in our matching red shirts and a group of detainees who were dressed in tan “scrubs” and Velcro sneakers. It was my turn to invite the men into the Centering Prayer practice and keep track of time. I struck the singing bowl three
Centering Prayer and Gardening: Finding Treasure Read More »
“What’s on your mind these days?” A friend asked. “Nothing really,” I initially thought. Well…there has been a lot. This spring, I participated in my first Native American drumming circle in Oklahoma and plunged into Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas. I visited my daughter in LA, facilitated a retreat in Racine, and cheered on the
May the energy of Ireland rise up within you. May you be present to early spring daffodils and the raw beauty of cliffs meeting sea. May your rain gear be accessible for constant weather changes and your shoes be sturdy as you navigate muddy terrain. May you travel narrow roads without incident and experience the
An Irish Blessing for Spring Pilgrims Read More »
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