First, the definition of psychopomp, from wikipedia: Many religious belief systems have a particular spirit, angel or deity whose responsibility is to escort newly-deceased souls to the afterlife. These creatures are called psychopomps, from the Greek word ψυχοπομπός (psychopompos), literally meaning the ''guide of souls''. Their role is not to ...

'Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but rather a manner of traveling'--Samuel Johnson This post is an attempt to write with my left brain about a right brained experience.  It happened over 10 years ago now, so I have the right to call it 'my best day' as it's not the only day I can recall with my middle-aged memory--I have days to ...

My ex-husband, Tom and I are grieving today the impending death of the last of 3 amazing German Shepherds that we were graced to belong to during our life together.  I know that many of you who have experienced the death of a beloved pet will find your heart breaking about your own past or future losses. Love is like that--it sets up ...

As I live into the pilgrimage of Patti Digh's 37 days exercise on what we might be experiencing if indeed we had 'only' 37 days to live, I've found myself going through layers of experience.  I'm dreaming a lot, and not remembering any of them. I'm all over the place in my daily life--content, anxious, exasperated with myself, feeling sick in ...

Part 1: The call comes from 'Bougainvillea' (i.e. Katrina) asking me to come help her die. Katrina and I have been friends for over 20 years.  Note: In the late 1990's Katrina took on the nickname from a tropical plant I had carted to Colorado from Florida--a bougainvillea that I couldn't seem to kill--although I left it outside to freeze, ...

Solstice weekend now and forever will have a more personal meaning. This 2 part post is about my dear friend Katrina, who like the hurricane,was a force of nature. Katrina died of cancer at the age of 51 in 2003 on June 19th at 11:45pm, 15 minutes before the solstice.  The gifts she gave me in her courageous life and ...

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, erstwhile new blogger on the Virtual Tea House has  published a handsome book, just in time for Christmas. Celebration: More Christmas Angels Available from Amazon.com or Red Rock Press Amazon Editorial Review: This brief, delightful history of Christmastime angels looks at the depiction of their ...