Ooooh, Catherine, I know this is coming from a place of limitations and frustration (and pain and discomfort, which I am so sorry to hear) but, as I am sure you know, I FEEL you, sister. I have been feeling so frustrated by my limitations these first few weeks of summer and struggling to stay present and enjoy(?) the space and freedom within my body’s need to just sit still. I will be looking forward to hearing your words and I will, as ever, be keeping you on my mind and in my ever-loving heart! I LOVE the title! Just right. And I couldn’t be more proud of how you are reaching out, caring for yourself, and bringing us in. Hope to see you real soon. Xo
I am so grateful for you coming into our lives and teaching us about Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, Sylvia Plath, Robert Frost and so many more.
I told my 9 year old about you and the amazing poets you introduced us to and she chose to do a project on Maya Angelou. So you are still teaching us and our families.
I have missed your writing and can't wait to read more. Love to you and thank you for teaching us.
All the love to you, and gratitude for what you’ve shared already within your 53 years. The world is better with your words written upon it. Sending you strength and healing, Catherine! I hate to hear about your suffering, but now I will hold your need for energy and rejuvenation in my thoughts. I would love to catch up with you sometime! Xoxo, Brigitte
I can hear your voice. Writing has been a lifelong salve for me, too. So much so, after almost 30 years teaching, I'm the school librarian next year. Which isn't to say my covid story and the impending menopause (for effs sake, why do I still have my period!) Has caused many of the same changes. But, I love that my long ago friend has said that despite it all, there are new beginnings and challenges and LIFE to live! Get.after.it! (Even if it takes you 3x as long!)
I felt this. I felt your words, every one of them. While I had a much greater appreciation of things, of life after cancer, recently after having Covid and side affects depression has set in. Heavily. I needed to see this and I needed this today. Blessings and gifts come when least expected so I’m glad I took the extra break from work logged on to the book and first post was yours. ❤️
So much love and gratitude for knowing you and having this space to read your words and feel your emotions. I’m so happy you’re finding new ways to connect while we navigate these constantly changing terrains. I love you so much and promise to come visit on the porch soon. (((Hugs)))
Hi Catherine! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I have known you as a henna artist, a teacher of art, and through your research work. I am only just now getting to know you as a writer. I am grateful for it. I am urging you to envision, our (the readers who you are trying to engage with) hands making a fist over your wrist. Resulting in a chain hands ---- of engaged hearts and souls strengthening one another. Using our feet to stomp and make noise to be heard to save democracy. In the meantime keep writing and charging. I will stay tuned. 💓
Oh, how I love that purple house filled with words and work and love for the world, and the people who live in it!!! Your words are always received here with gratitude, and I am buoyed by the idea of your hands reaching out to mine and so many others across the geography and time of our scattered world. I hope our hands (and fists) can lend you strength and support as you need it. Sending much love.
Catherine you are inspiring as always. It seems that a bit of poetry has been borne of your recent trials. You leave me smiling in remembrance of your open mike poetry readings back at good old HCRHS. I suffer from some social phobia but as I said, you are inspiring. And of course there was the touching & delightful content of the poem I chose to read, “Shelter” by R.S. Jones. I still love that poem as I send my love to you.
Your words resonated with me on a very personal level. Since my retirement from Central in 2007 I've been on one hell of a roller coaster ride. I loved reading this and I will be following!
Hello Wifey! So pleased to read your words and hear your voice in my head and feel your soul in my heart... Reaching my hand back to yours (and all the others here) and, well, you know I'm only too ready to use my fist when needed... Looking forward to making time to become entranced by your words... and sending out all the love, strength and endurance I can spare to you as we all continue to navigate this strange new world... Canadian bear hugs to you dear friend. I miss my people too.
Ooooh, Catherine, I know this is coming from a place of limitations and frustration (and pain and discomfort, which I am so sorry to hear) but, as I am sure you know, I FEEL you, sister. I have been feeling so frustrated by my limitations these first few weeks of summer and struggling to stay present and enjoy(?) the space and freedom within my body’s need to just sit still. I will be looking forward to hearing your words and I will, as ever, be keeping you on my mind and in my ever-loving heart! I LOVE the title! Just right. And I couldn’t be more proud of how you are reaching out, caring for yourself, and bringing us in. Hope to see you real soon. Xo
I am so grateful for you coming into our lives and teaching us about Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, Sylvia Plath, Robert Frost and so many more.
I told my 9 year old about you and the amazing poets you introduced us to and she chose to do a project on Maya Angelou. So you are still teaching us and our families.
I have missed your writing and can't wait to read more. Love to you and thank you for teaching us.
All the love to you, and gratitude for what you’ve shared already within your 53 years. The world is better with your words written upon it. Sending you strength and healing, Catherine! I hate to hear about your suffering, but now I will hold your need for energy and rejuvenation in my thoughts. I would love to catch up with you sometime! Xoxo, Brigitte
I can hear your voice. Writing has been a lifelong salve for me, too. So much so, after almost 30 years teaching, I'm the school librarian next year. Which isn't to say my covid story and the impending menopause (for effs sake, why do I still have my period!) Has caused many of the same changes. But, I love that my long ago friend has said that despite it all, there are new beginnings and challenges and LIFE to live! Get.after.it! (Even if it takes you 3x as long!)
I felt this. I felt your words, every one of them. While I had a much greater appreciation of things, of life after cancer, recently after having Covid and side affects depression has set in. Heavily. I needed to see this and I needed this today. Blessings and gifts come when least expected so I’m glad I took the extra break from work logged on to the book and first post was yours. ❤️
So much love and gratitude for knowing you and having this space to read your words and feel your emotions. I’m so happy you’re finding new ways to connect while we navigate these constantly changing terrains. I love you so much and promise to come visit on the porch soon. (((Hugs)))
Hi Catherine! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I have known you as a henna artist, a teacher of art, and through your research work. I am only just now getting to know you as a writer. I am grateful for it. I am urging you to envision, our (the readers who you are trying to engage with) hands making a fist over your wrist. Resulting in a chain hands ---- of engaged hearts and souls strengthening one another. Using our feet to stomp and make noise to be heard to save democracy. In the meantime keep writing and charging. I will stay tuned. 💓
A great way to kick off what I KNOW is going to be my new fave thing to read!
Oh, how I love that purple house filled with words and work and love for the world, and the people who live in it!!! Your words are always received here with gratitude, and I am buoyed by the idea of your hands reaching out to mine and so many others across the geography and time of our scattered world. I hope our hands (and fists) can lend you strength and support as you need it. Sending much love.
So great as always. Did not know you have been unwell. Praying for your healing.
I’m here for the words and would love to be there for more 5 or 10 minute walks.
Thank you for inviting us into community, while the world seems to be driving us into hiding.
I love your voice and your honesty, Catherine. Thank you for being real, and thank you for finding the words. I want to hear MORE.
Catherine you are inspiring as always. It seems that a bit of poetry has been borne of your recent trials. You leave me smiling in remembrance of your open mike poetry readings back at good old HCRHS. I suffer from some social phobia but as I said, you are inspiring. And of course there was the touching & delightful content of the poem I chose to read, “Shelter” by R.S. Jones. I still love that poem as I send my love to you.
Your words resonated with me on a very personal level. Since my retirement from Central in 2007 I've been on one hell of a roller coaster ride. I loved reading this and I will be following!
Belated happy birthday, Cathy. Write on!
I'd like to recommend something to read:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17355271-herbal-antivirals
--
M@
Hello Wifey! So pleased to read your words and hear your voice in my head and feel your soul in my heart... Reaching my hand back to yours (and all the others here) and, well, you know I'm only too ready to use my fist when needed... Looking forward to making time to become entranced by your words... and sending out all the love, strength and endurance I can spare to you as we all continue to navigate this strange new world... Canadian bear hugs to you dear friend. I miss my people too.