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March 2022 edition

“My lips parted in astonishment, my mind’s eye opened, and I saw the tip of the arrow burning gold with the heat and pressure that had been beaten into it at the forge. The fire that was trapped there wanted to fly free again, but it would stay where it was unless I let go of my fear. I puffed out a soft exhalation, making room for faith. My breath passed along the arrow’s shaft, and I released the bowstring. Held aloft on my breath, the arrow flew.”

SHADOW OF NIGHT

A Bridgerton moment captured in my garden.

Today's gratitude:

My amazing health team who are working around my Ovarian Cancer Alliance training this AM while taking such good care of me, making lemonade out of lemons, and the comforting beauty of my upcycled blue shawl from @editwhidbey

Yesterday I had an experience most of us should be having more often : a conversation with members of my Congressional delegation about an issue of concern to me. I was an advocate for Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (@ocrahope) to raise ovarian cancer awareness among legislators.

We all have complaints about how our country is going in a given moment, but governance should be a partnership between citizens and their representatives. How many of us keep our side of the bargain by communicating our concerns--except through the ballot box?

I talked to representatives and senators for four hours about our community's desire for research funds, expanded access to cutting edge treatments, for diversity of patients in clinical trials, and for coverage of genetic testing for cancer and other diseases through Medicare for our most vulnerable citizens. We were listened to, questioned, and hopefully made an impact that will change lives--for the better.

For me it was also a moment of real connection with other women who have faced the challenges of ovarian cancer as patients, care givers, and researchers. I learned so much from the grace and strength of @am_ramz, @jps811, Debi, and all my other teal sisters who welcomed me so warmly into this exclusive club no one wants to join.

It was a powerful way to celebrate International Women’s Day. Thank you to @repbrownley, @repjudychu, @sarajacobsca, @alexpadilla4ca, Sen Dianne Feinstein, @marktakano41ca and @repmikelevin and their staffers for hearing our stories and working so tirelessly for your constituents. #TealAction

Thank you, reader Susan D., for this inspiring poem about the dark invitation of illness

For those of you facing illness in yourself or others, here’s a link to John O'Donoghue's poem:

Today's gratitude:

🦹‍♀️ my superhero comic book leggings from GRRRL clothing

📚 a message that took me back to Bethlehem and the Moravians with Marcus from reader and bookseller Marcy S.

🍽 Sunday supper with the family

from my musical archives:

What I’m reading this month

#TeamMarcus will love this book and it will give fresh insights into his character.

“Investigations beneath the floorboards of Oxburgh Hall…have revealed a remarkable time capsule of finds spanning 500 years, from high-status manuscripts to Tudor textiles.”

Bookmail from my favorite poet @ladybookmad. Can't wait to open it and be swept up into her wise and inspiring words. Out now!

Brilliant piece.

For all who are living with chronic illness, navigating a health crisis, or have had the strange experience of being told "but you don't look sick!" when you are: A woman shares her experience of living with multiple sclerosis since 26.

For more book recommendations..

…or to share your own, keep an eye on my Facebook Author Page for regular opportunities to exchange book titles, and for those of you who are members of the All Souls Discussion Group on Facebook, look for the book recommendation posts every other Friday.

And of course, you can find even more of my book suggestions on my Goodreads and Bookbub pages and also on my website.

Grateful for the giggles from reader Amy C. M.'s card that perfectly captured my upside down life!

For all those All Souls Series readers fascinated by Diana and Matthew's portraits in SHADOW OF NIGHT:

Here’s a jewel of a video to learn more.

When this shows up unexpectedly!

Along with a second one!

Thank you @bad_wolf_tv for gifting me with this. I think we all wonder what happens to beautiful pieces like this chair from the Congregation chamber on @adiscoveryofwitchestv, made under the supervision of master designers like @jamesnorthdesign2 and @arwelwjones. Sometimes they happily end up taking pride of place in someone's house. If these chairs could talk!

Reminder from the @TheHuntington cactus garden that strong boundaries can be beautiful.

All I can think of is this message from the great @charliemackesy

I know that there is so much going on in the world right now that things feel off-axis and tilted. My heart goes out to Ukraine and her people. I took this picture because it is #ovariancancerawarenessmonth and my own world feels a bit skew-whiffy too. (Don't know if this is a real word but my mom always says it!) It's a reminder for me that we will--like the palm trees behind me that grow towards the sun and are a bit skew-whiffy themselves--settle into a new normal one day, that clouds pass, and that love and life prevail--in spite of war, disease, death, bullies, and gaslighting. Just hang in there.

(Fabulous gratitude t-shirt from @earthmonk_clothing)
(Fabulous button beanie from @headcovers.com)