Heather Williams Durka is an artist in Olympia, WA who is an iconographer in the Orthodox tradition. We connected with each other by email several months ago through St. Placid Priory and even though she only lives an hour away I haven’t had the chance to meet her in person yet, even though she has graciously extended the invitation […]

Posted in Sacred Artist Interview | 11 Comments »

Abbess Petunia is featured over at Riley’s place today, a place to go only if you really love dogs.

Posted in Links to Websites | 7 Comments »

For some reason in the past week or so I have stumbled upon three books that I desperately want to have in my hands — (you know that ache you get when you see a title that you know will be simply brilliant and marvelous and potentially life-altering?) – but none of which have been published […]

Posted in Abbey Bookshelf | 9 Comments »

What the Dog Perhaps Hears

If an inaudible whistle
blown between our lips
can send him home to us,
then silence is perhaps
the sound of spiders breathing
and roots mining the earth;
it may be asparagus heaving,
headfirst, into the light
and the long brown sound
of cracked cups, when it happens.
We would like to ask the dog
if there is a continuous whir
because the […]

Posted in Contemplative Living | 12 Comments »

Welcome to the Ring’s two newest members: Jacq’s Fibers (check out these cool banners that are a part of an art swap) and Ozark Gypsy Art who also has an Etsy shop (love the banner on top!).
A few selections from around the Ring this week: 
I discovered these lovely photos by Tandaina at Snow on Roses, an early […]

Posted in Sacred Arts Web Ring | No Comments »

I was perusing Jan Richardson’s website yesterday and was reminded that she has her own hand-bound book of reflections for Lent called The Garden of Hollows: Entering the Mysteries of Lent and Easter.  I actually have a copy on my shelf which I ordered back before Advent so it is now sitting in my prayer space waiting for […]

Posted in Resources, Lent | 5 Comments »

The winner of my random drawing this week is Christine Eleanor Merritt, who also happens to be a friend of mine here in Seattle. Christine is a poet, spiritual director, and labyrinth facilitator and we were in a writing group together for several months (in which at varying times we had a total of four different Christines […]

Posted in Resources, Art Creativity Spirituality Retreat | 1 Comment »

It has been crisp, clear, and cold this week in Seattle (and below freezing temps which is unusual for our climate), which means stunning views of the mountain ranges that surround us.  Top photo is Seattle with the Cascades behind them (taken from the ferry).  The two middle photos are the Olympics from my hermitage.  One above […]

Posted in Visual Meditation | 11 Comments »

I first met Bill Hughlett because of my friendship with his wife Kayce, aka the delightful lucy.  I fell in love with his photography before I ever met him and then have had the chance to sit at dinner on a few occasions now and get to know him a bit better.  He is a […]

Posted in Sacred Artist Interview | 16 Comments »

It is hard to believe that the Christian liturgical season of Lent is only two weeks away.  I asked for some input last week on your favorite Lenten resources, and didn’t hear much back, so I offer some of mine here and feel free to add yours in the comments or email me and I […]

Posted in Abbey Bookshelf | 5 Comments »