Since the publication of Solace last year, it has been an amazing experience to have such a personal book out in the world. Over the last few months it has been heartening to get feedback, support and to connect with readers all around the world. Thank you all so much! Here is a selection of thoughtful messages and posts from some of you. Go raibh . . .
Solace
I am thrilled to announce that my book SOLACE; life, loss and the healing power of nature has been published by the O'Brien Press with a launch in the Book Centre, Waterford. It is now available in bookshops and online booksellers. (You can see what readers are saying here) 'Solace is that feeling of calm and comfort, that sense of . . .
A word for the year 2022
Winter is a time of wonderful light. It spreads in long rays across the land or creates deep and vibrant sunsets over the lake. I usually choose a word to guide me through the forthcoming year. I have had fun with this process over the years including words like, threshold, inkling, expand, pilgrimage. Some of my . . .
A watery uncertain place
It's a watery uncertain place, this unfathomable universe. No need to plan or have too many expectations. Time instead to observe and go with the flow. At the close of 2020 there was a moon. It's not that I was following, but everywhere I turned, she was there. Even in the early morning as this moon set . . .
Coming out of lockdown
I’m trying to unfurl from lockdown. It seems to be a slow process. Like how coming out of hibernation might be for a chubby lazy bear. One of my childhood pets was a tortoise. I think they were popular in those days. It was supposed to go to sleep for the winter. But as there was no internet, we knew very . . .
In the bleak mid-winter
In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, Snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, Long ago. Christina Rossetti I hope you have a wonderful cosy mid winter celebration. Love Catherine . . .
Porto at the mouth of the River Douro
On our way to Porto, we stop off at a beach just south of the city and relax for a couple of days. We are about to discover the north coast of Portugal and this long stretch of beaches and board walks all the way to the Spanish border. Just outside the city we decide to stop over in a campismo, which I keep calling a campasino much to the . . .
Setting off on the road again…..
I couldn't help myself! I was dipping into some old travel stories when I got lost in dreams and memories. One of the joys of photography, is that when you study a place through your own lens, you remember details, feelings, smells, weather. I never seem to forget where I was and what I was doing. Sometimes, I can even remember the . . .
The wabi-sabi remains of the day
The light was returning. I had even opened my big mouth to utter the words- At last Spring is here! That was when the storms and the winter gales hit us with a vengeance. I was taking part in a #100DaysofWalking challenge, eating for the good of my bones and cutting out all things sugary and stodgy.....(again.) It was all going . . .
I see her walking
I see her walking on a path through a pathless forest or a maze, a labyrinth. As she walks, she spins and the fine threads fall behind her following her way, telling where she is going, telling where she has gone. Telling the . . .