Inquiring Minds Want to Know
By Maggie Fenton
When, oh, when are we having our next ‘in person’ gathering? The Board meets (by zoom) monthly and we talk about this frequently. In short, we don’t know. We are hoping it will be 2023.
These are the things we discuss and we need your input.
Do you feel safe traveling? Car, bus, train, plane? How far?
How much are you willing to spend?
The costs of everything have gone up. In the past our housing options have been retreat centers or hotels. We are a small group for larger hotels and when we contract, we have to guarantee so many guest rooms will be reserved. If they aren’t, we have to pay the shortage. We have learned that contracting for some meals (expensive) often includes the cost of meeting rooms and is less expensive than paying for the meeting rooms. Our last few gatherings did not cover costs (except in Tucson where they gave us a sizable discount because of the construction disruption.)
Our registration fees will have to be increased. In our research, we’re finding that comparable groups charge upwards of $400 for a 3 day meeting.
When you register, it is a commitment to attend. We realize life throws us curve balls at times and we have refunded registration fees in the past no questions asked. We may not be able to in the future.
We may need to find a smaller place and limit the number of attendees.
We may need to change the season. Instead of meeting in the fall, are you willing to try the summer in a cooler locale?
Would you entertain the idea of being on a college campus in the summer?
Would you like the gathering to be shorter? Perhaps start on Thursday night and end Sunday morning?
If the gathering is shorter, we will need to alter the format of the gatherings. We want to keep true to the heart of Crones Counsel: Story telling, Wisdom Circles, Honoring. We’ve talked about going back to forums and not having formal workshops.
We hear from you that the most important thing is just getting together.
Please let us know your thoughts and ideas.
Dear Elsie
Hi Cronies! Pixler Hill is a riot of color, scents and sounds. Rainbow hues of grass and trees, eager flowers reaching for the sun. The air smells fresh and new; invigorating. Thunder rolls, rain lulls us into dreamland. Squirrels chatter, song birds have a lot to say, hawks laugh with joy as they ride the thermals high above.
Ah Springtime! And with it for some of us comes the urge to purge. It almost feels like part of our DNA. Sound familiar? It does to this next questioner.
Dear Elsie,
I have a problem that many women my age might have. In the early ‘60’s I subscribed to Seventeen magazine. It told me what I needed for my trousseau and what to ask for as wedding gifts. As a result, I have many things in my house that have barely been used and I don’t know what to do with them (as well as many other things I have accumulated over the years). My children don’t want much and my millennial grandchildren don’t want anything. What can I do with all this stuff?
A Grandmother Who Likes to Recycle Things
Dear Recycling Grandmother,
You still have items from your trousseau, that’s impressive! Keeping things for times of need was once a lot more common, but now here we are, faced with the huge task of finding good homes for so many unneeded possessions.
One can find countless books, videos, websites and professional downsizing companies, large and small. When you start researching locally you will discover all sorts of resources. There are even companies that work exclusively with seniors.
After you have given special things to family and friends who will take them, sooner rather than later, it may be time to consider donating. It feels good, does good and could give you a nice tax deduction.
Start by making a list of your favorite charities then check to see which ones will do pickups at your house.
Libraries take books for their used book sales. I know…you’re thinking “I LOVE my books!” but when you start sorting them, you’ll be surprised at what you can let go. Don’t forget to ask someone strong to move them for you.
Antique dealers can be very helpful as they will often come to look, make an offer and take things with them. Mind-boggling to imagine that things from the 1960’s are now considered vintage!
If you have the luxury of time and some extra space you can slowly sort through things, one area at a time, and remove bags and boxes little by little. A wise younger woman recently advised that to avoid feeling swamped and giving up, take baby steps. Not every day, just when you are looking for a break from your usual routine.
You can do this. Elsie cleaned out two file folders this week!
In Memory – Barbara Test
By Carol Friedrich
Barbara Test, “Barb” to us, was an amazing woman. She transitioned this past week as her many health concerns were too much for her to recover.
How fortunate we were to have her in our lives. She was an example of “being involved” – even though living life with these health concerns for many years, she continued to take a wide variety of classes, write her own poetry, go to writing and poetry groups, go on trips (especially to the Black Hills, SD), enjoy concerts and other events including dances, participate in women’s circles such as Colorado Crones, a New Moon group, Althea Spiritual Center, and especially, spend quality time with her precious granddaughter.
In 2020 as she turned 80, she was one of the newly Honored Elders that year in our December Zoom Gathering. In her honoring talk she expressed how she saw life as she entered the new decade – “So, what’s different now? I intend to be aware in the present instead of interpreting the past and predicting the future. I don’t want to miss the moments. And I will even forgive myself when I fall short of my intentions. I want to be mindful, move forward and feel the wonder.” She now experiences wonder.
“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:29
Sisterhood
By Leslye Langa
Sisterhood is like a favorite or familiar scent, or a favorite song…
it’s like the roar and the reliability of the ocean;
it’s enjoyed like a beautiful sunrise and like cloud designs that get scattered across the sky.
It’s a place of acceptance and welcome like a walk in nature; a place where we can share unabashed silliness, and a sacred place where we honor the deep well of support we find in each other.
Sisterhood is inclusion and safe harbor for the gamut of our emotions –
sisterhood is simply a lovely, love-filled, nourishing balm.
Sisterhood delivers the grace of each of us being heard –
our sisters listen to us – they want to hear from us, they want and need to
hear about us, and they want to be heard …we joyously accept and share sisterhood input.
As sacred sisters, on so many levels, we tell each other that we are “IN IT” together; learning, sharing, loving.
Sisterhoods offer the loveliness of reflecting our own lessons back to us without judgement so we can safely express our every
thought and feeling. An honest reflection about love through the mirror
of friendship and soul connections.
What a divine, glorious, delicious gift.
Born in Anchorage, Alaska in 1949, the outdoors invented me. It was my playground; my launch pad for putting thoughts on paper. Writing has been a lifelong haven for me…first in diaries, letters, and then in my career. Writing in retirement is a hobby I truly enjoy.
SIMPLE ACTION OF THE MONTH
By Laurie Dameron
Divest and Bank Local
The more you can bank and shop local the better for the planet and your community. Banking at local Credit Unions is a great option as they invest in our local communities!
Divest from banking with the big banks, Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup as they fund millions to fossil fuels.