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April 19, 2025 is probably best known as the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight ride, the moment that sparked the American Revolution.

But for me, it also marked the final day of a personal experiment: a “100 Days of Creativity” project that I started on a whim back in early January. The idea came out of nowhere, really—just a simple way to get through the long winter in the Northeast and play around with some creative projects I’d been putting off.

I scribbled down a few loose rules, and before I could overthink it, I was off and running. The only constraints I gave myself were:

• For 100 days, spend at least 15 minutes each day painting or drawing. (Watching YouTube videos of other people doing it didn’t count.)

• Use only the supplies I already had—no new purchases allowed.

One of my nieces just gave birth to her first child. More details on that later!

It was a joyous occasion for so many reasons. This baby is the first of a new generation, making it the first grandchild and great-grandchild in our family.

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Ice Kaleidoscope 

Today marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter’s stillness—even as the busiest days of the holiday season lie ahead.

Last year, I spent time reflecting on the idea of creative hibernation and its benefits. While those reflections still resonate deeply, this year, I felt drawn to explore the energetic significance of the solstice—how this celestial event may impact us on a more personal level.…

Gratitude. It's everywhere right now. In blog posts, emails, and conversations. And since we just celebrated Thanksgiving in the US - it is literally the word of the season. At the risk of adding to the noise, I’m going to throw my hat in the ring.

For me, it boils down to one thing. Gratitude is about noticing. It’s about paying attention to what delights us, what brings us joy, and the small, everyday acts of kindness that so often go unnoticed. …

Final flower harvest, 2024

Due to an early frost, I had to close up the garden last week. This was about a week earlier than planned. As I wrap up what I affectionately call "the great community garden experiment," I've been thinking so much about all that I learned. At first, I was humbled by the response of people wanting to help. But there's more. I can’t help but reflect on how this experience has redefined my first-hand view on the power of community.

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Sharing flowers as an act of Radical Kindness,

Last weekend, I had an experience that should have felt ordinary but instead turned out to be quite extraordinary. It was an absolutely beautiful summer day—perfect, really. The sun was shining, the temperature was in the upper 70s, and the humidity was delightfully low. It was the kind of day that makes you want to spend every moment outside, so I did. I took my book and settled on a bench along a rail-trail, which overlooks a peaceful brook. Families rode by on bicycles, and walkers passed back and forth along the trail.

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Six weeks into the "Great Community Garden Experiment"

As I mentioned in my last post, due to a back injury in the spring, I’ve had to call in lots of help with planting and tending this year’s community garden plot. It’s been about six weeks since I started what I am calling the “Great Community Garden Experiment.” This seems like a good time for an update. 

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The dahlia tubers are in! The first planting in 2024's Great Community Garden Experiment. 

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. Recently, I experienced one of those curveballs in the form of a spinal fracture. It’s been a challenging time. But this I’m learning: there is always an opportunity for growth, and community support. But you have to ask for help. 

One of my greatest passions is having a plot in the community garden. Tending to the flowers, watching them grow, and sharing the harvest with friends and neighbors is a source of joy. However, this year, I’ve had to get a little creative in my approach.…

"Pink Tulips" part of the GraceNotes Greeting card collection. 

In Part 1 of Starting a Greeting Card Company, I outlined the background of starting to form a partnership with a friend to sell our photography greeting cards online. In Part 2, I reflected on the importance of having a trusted network of friends and advisors to help along the way. In this final installment, I explore the importance of Intention in any business project.

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"Red Pears" from the archives. Taken in Portland, Oregon.

It’s mid-winter. Again. Every year I’m surprised at the change in my energy levels in response to the gray landscape, and the reduced amount of daylight. Once spring emerges, I forget all about those weeks of quiet winter. And then have to relearn it all over again the next year.

Creative inspiration is kind of the same. Inspiration benefits from times of rest, which this year I have been referring to…

"Pansies," from the GraceNotes Greeting Cards collection. 

In Part 1 of Starting a Greeting Card Company, I outlined the backstory of starting to form a partnership with a friend to sell our photography greeting cards online. Here in Part 2, I continue with the next steps, or as I sometimes refer to it, the “messy middle.”

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I hope 2024 is off to a good start. To kick-off the new year, I thought it would be a good idea to write 2024 a letter. Here goes.

Dear 2024:

I am curious what you have in store this year. I am open to your suggestions, but I also have a couple of requests for your consideration.

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"Three Dahlias" from the GraceNotes Greeting Card collection.

Photography has always been a “serious hobby” and something that has brought me great joy. I love wandering and exploring, with a camera in hand. You just never know what you’re going to find. 

Although primarily self-taught, I have learned so much over the years…

Collaboration is a serious business. New Hampshire, August, 2023.

At the end of August, I had a chance to spend a day in New Hampshire visiting my brother and sister-in-law, photographing my sister-in-law’s gorgeous sweet peas, snapdragons, and dahlias. She is an outstanding floral designer, and she and I had been talking for many months about finding a time to work together. Finally, we identified a day that we were both free, the flowers would all be in bloom, and the relentless rain that has pounded the northeast throughout this entire summer was on pause. I organized my photo gear, and headed north. 

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Ann Patchett and Richard Russo speaking at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 2023. 

One of my favorite authors, Ann Patchett, spoke last night at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as part of the book tour for her brand new novel, Tom Lake. She was joined by Richard Russo, who also just released a new book, Somebody’s Fool. 

The…

Holi Festival, Holbrook, Massachusetts, April 2023.

According to the calendar, April is technically the first full month of spring. But in Massachusetts, Mother Nature doesn’t seem to rev up until mid May. Sometimes later. In April, the trees are bare, and the brown grass is still trying to wake up after being dormant for 6 months. I am always grateful that the season of snow is behind us, but we’re not exactly basking in warm temperatures and spring blooms. That’s one reason I was so delighted to attend a Holi Festival last week. 

I had heard of Holi, and knew only that it was an…

The Orchid Show "Allure" at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Winter 2023

"Serious art is born from serious play."

- Julia Cameron 

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Coast of Maine, Fall 2022

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have”

-Maya Angelou

2023 has been ushered in more quietly than usual. In general, we seem to be gingerly easing ourselves into…

Autumn Dahlia

Are you familiar with the Hopi Creation story? It goes like this: 

The Creator gathered all of Creation and said,

“I want to hide something from humans until…

Resilient flowers

If you live in the US Northeast, you are undoubtedly very aware of the severe drought we’ve been experiencing this summer. If you live in the Northeast, AND you’re a gardener, then you are hyper aware. 

For the past 6 summers, I’ve cultivated a 12’ X 24’ community garden plot. I grow flowers. Some years I include a tomato plant, otherwise only flowers. Snapdragons, zinnias. calendula, celosia, dahlia, lisianthus, ageratum - pretty much any easy growing cut flower that does well in a vase. Most summers I spend many, many…

A photography practice session in the studio. 

At the beginning of the pandemic in mid-March 2020, I found myself 1,000 miles away from home, visiting my then 89-year old mother. That original trip was scheduled for 4 days. I ended up staying for 7 weeks. 

It had been close to 40 years since my mom and I had lived under the same roof. It was a gift on many levels. One of the biggest gifts was a discovery of a way to practice our shared love of creativity together. 

Spring Tulips at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, Boylston, Massachusetts, May 2022

"There are always flowers for those who want to see them." -Henri Matisse

 

I love inspirational quotes. I…

Quinn, enjoying every moment

My dog, Quinn, is a soon-to-be-9-year old flat-coated retriever; 70 pounds of luxurious black fur and pure love. He was only 9 weeks old when I got him, and it’s safe to say he was by far the most challenging puppy I’ve raised. I often describe Quinn as an “independent thinker” which may be a wonderful characteristic in an advanced, adult human, but can really test your patience in a…

GraceNotes greeting cards at Debra's Natural Gourmet in West Concord, MA

When I first set out to make GraceNotes greeting cards available to a wider audience - beyond just my mother and a few close friends - it’s safe to say I didn’t anticipate all the steps on the path. My intention was, and still is, to make greeting cards that inspire people to stay connected with those around them, and to celebrate the joy in the everyday. I had about a dozen card designs. Easy, right? 

Fast forward to today. I’ll cover the process of getting GraceNotes up and running as a side-project in a…

Boston West End dog park, February 2022

In mid-December I had organized an outdoor photo outing for a group of photographer friends. It would give us a chance to gather in person before the holiday season got too crazy, and we’d get some early winter shots before the weather made it harder to get outside on a regular basis. This being New England, you never really know what’s going to happen with the weather until a day or two before a planned event. You just have to pick a date and hope for the best.

Unfortunately in this case, the weather didn’t cooperate. Two days before the outing, the weather forecasters were predicting a complete washout. Even photographers used to shooting in all kinds of weather wouldn’t have wanted to be outside. I sent…

Lowell, Massachusetts, October 2020

In many ways 2022 seems to have come around kind of fast. Bringing with it the usual bombardment of lists and how-to’s and suggestions for making lasting improvements and changes for the coming months. Articles abound as they outline “Tips and Tricks” for making and keeping New Years’ resolutions. Intention setting is popular. Vision Boards are big, as is choosing a Word of the Year. In past years I’ve actually tried choosing a Word of The Year, but I’d be hard pressed to tell you what some of the words were- which isn’t really a ringing endorsement for that approach. I guess it's a matter of finding what works for each of us. 

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Japanese Maple at Acton Arboretum, November 2021

New England in the fall can be stunning. The days are warm, the nights are cool, and the leaves turn beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow. It’s energizing, with everyone out-and-about soaking up the last of what the season has to offer. And then - just like that - the vibrant fall leaves are gone, giving way to the more monochrome and quiet look of winter.

This year we’ve had what I call a “long fall.” The mild days lingered well into November, and the first real frost happened about a month later than usual.  I tend to keep a close watch on frost reports not only for my little community garden plot, but also for photos. When I see a forecast calling for overnight temperatures dipping into the upper…

Harvard Square street scene, Summer 2020

Last night I went with some friends to see some indoor live music for the first time in over 18 months. In order to attend, everyone had to show proof of vaccination, wear a mask, and sit in a socially distanced way. Even the performers wore masks. To minimize physical contact, it was a 75-minute concert, with no intermission.

It was completely worth it. The musicians (an incredible fiddle player and guitarist) couldn’t stop thanking everyone in the audience for coming. It was their first live concert, too, after months of performing from their living room couches over Zoom. It was clear everyone was so glad to be there.

Throughout the program, the fiddle player performed a few pieces she had written during her lockdown time. Although similar in style to her other work, there were notable differences as well. They seemed – I don’t know – a little more introspective. Can you say that about fiddling? Not sure. But that’s how it felt. The pieces were really gorgeous.

As difficult as it’s been, I have to say the pandemic has actually fueled creativity for so many, by giving the…

Closeup Calendula

These days, it’s more important than ever to find ways to stay connected. Our days are busy. Our schedules feel rushed. Who has time to write a handwritten note, buy a stamp, find a mailbox? Why not just send a text or an email?

But that’s the point, really. Sending a note requires us to slow down, think a little more deeply, and create a message with meaning and intention. In some ways there can be no greater gift you can give someone. From the surprise and delight of receiving a “real” piece of mail, to the physical touch of the paper and the card, personal notes provide connection and quiet among all the noise.

My hope with the "Grace Notes" greeting card series is to provide cards that might inspire you to stay connected - either for a special occasion, or for no reason at all.

Welcome here.