-Christine Valters Paintner@ Abbey of the Arts
(doors from top to bottom: Rock of Cashel, Strokestown Museum Gardens, “Out of the Blue” in Dingle, Cottage in Dingle, Church on Dingle Peninsula)
The Handless Maiden ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess
Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims, On Monday, September 28th we begin a 7-week journey with the fairy tale “The Handless Maiden.” You may or may not be familiar with it. There are over a hundred versions of this story which have appeared throughout Europe and other parts
September 20, 2026
14 Responses
Welcome Paula and thanks for your comment. I am delighted you found your way here.
I love these open doors . . . both the visual images and the metaphoric imagery. The church family I am part of is called Open Door Fellowship, as an expression of welcoming grace, so I think open doors particularly catch my eye, although I have always loved doors in photographs, even taken a few of my own. Finding yours today was a beckoning delight.
I went away for the last couple of days to Mount Rainier and left a couple of posts for you all. How fun to come back and read the enthusiastic responses! I hesitated at putting up just images, but thought it would be lovely to see what they evoked. I like Pam’s idea of using them for a writing exercise.
Blessings to you all, Christine