Author Archives: Eileen

“Cousin Jules” – a Movie For Meditation

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Eileen

The ping of a hammer on steel is an unforgettable sound. I used to equate it with farriers, shoeing horses. When my son became an artisan blacksmith, I learned it is also the sound of hammering hooks, hinges and door … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Growth | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Rising with the Sap

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Eileen

By the time you read this, the sap will have almost finished rising in the sugar maple trees. New England and Canada are the major producers of this sweet nectar. It takes approximately 40 gallons of sap to make 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Power of Choice

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Eileen

Whether you’re a Jew, Christian, Muslim, Agnostic or Pantheist, this is the season of birth and fertility. Today marks the first day of Passover, the Jewish people’s commemoration of their Israelite forbearers’ escape from the constrictions of slavery into freedom. … Continue reading →

Posted in Eileen's Armchair, Personal Growth | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

We Are What We Wear…Or Are We?

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Eileen

            Birds display their plumage; so why shouldn’t humans? It’s a natural form of sexual attraction. But when we walk around with advertising on our clothing – from Polo shirts to Louis Vuitton handbags (which … Continue reading →

Posted in Eileen's Armchair, Personal Growth | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Tired of winter?
Keep your hats on!

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Eileen

Last week in Washington, D.C., I met with a highly respected climatologist who’s a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Requesting anonymity, he reported new data suggesting that the polar ice cap is not shrinking, and is predicted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Eileen's Armchair, Nature | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

How does your life help to remove the causes of war?

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Eileen

Last week while walking with a friend along Embassy Row in Washington, D.C., a banner in front of a Quaker Meeting house stopped us in our tracks. I took the picture above to remember the words: “How does your life … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Growth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Surrendering

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Eileen

I was sick with a virus last week. It made my brain fuzzy but I kept fighting my need to rest. Surrender does not come easily. The first day of my not feeling well, I spent all day in bed … Continue reading →

Posted in Eileen's Armchair, Personal Growth | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Lessons from my Cat

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Eileen

The time came last week for us to euthanize our 17 year-old cat, Rusty. His kidneys had failed and his bladder ruptured. We did not wish to prolong his agony. It was a very hard decision for Paul and me, … Continue reading →

Posted in Eileen's Armchair, Poetry | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Birthday Musings

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Eileen

What a wonderful thing it is to be born, to live, to savor all that is living alongside. On this special day of my birthday, I give thanks for my parents for having “the sixth.” It was not what she … Continue reading →

Posted in Eileen's Armchair, Nature, Personal Growth | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Conversations from the Beach

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Eileen

I was in Boca Grande last week, giving a book talk to benefit the Johann Fust Library Foundation. A dear friend of mine, who I had not seen in several years, joined me for the two nights. Each morning we … Continue reading →

Posted in Eileen's Armchair, Personal Growth | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments