writing

Has It Really Been Ten Years? Life in My Writing Cottage.

Posted by Barbara Techel
My favorite photo – in the fall. Be still my heart.

Celebrating ten years of this beautiful space which has held and nurtured my heart, helping me expand and evolve.

Every time I walk through the Victorian style screen door of this 10 x 12 quaint space that sits off the corner of my deck, it feels like a warm embrace from Spirit, supporting me in what matters to my heart.

It was a thrill a few years ago when the term “she shed” and what became a trend that took off like a rocket in the media and I was interviewed about my space on a morning show out of Australia. I was also featured on Today.com and ABC.com, but best of all was the interview a local news station did. While I didn’t have the landscaping as I do now in the photo, and my deck accessories have become a bit more simplified, I absolutely loved this interview from the summer of 2015.

Little did I know this would be a trend, as I was a wee bit ahead of my time. And my little cottage in my little corner of the world has certainly seen its changes inside and out. My writing cottage was a labor of love constructed by my husband, John, and my selling of a car I loved, to help pay for the materials. All to support my love of writing which has now expanded to my love of supporting others through my oracle readings and guidance sessions.

Two children’s books, two memoirs, and a third memoir in the works I’ve written within this space.  And countless women I’ve connected with around the world within this space via the internet whether to talk about writing, animals, oracle cards, workshops, and so much more…oh, what fun it has been!

So in celebration, I share this, my favorite photo of my sweet writing cottage in the fall.  Most of all, I hope it inspires you to follow those niggles and nudges within your heart of what is calling you!

XO,

Barbara

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Signs of Spring. There’s a Dachshund in Here Somewhere Too.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Signs of Spring. There's a Dachshund in Here Somewhere Too.

This past Wednesday, the first official day of Spring, I was brought to tears when I pulled the goddess Gaia from the Power Goddess Oracle deck. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. A swirl of emotions spiraled through me.

This card couldn’t have been more perfect. Not only for the changing of the season and one of re-birth but also the self I’ve given birth to over the past year. I saw myself in Gaia and I liked what I saw.

A year ago this time was quite different as I was moving through such an intensely emotional time. As I continue editing my latest book, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am, I’m able to witness through the words I’ve written and of how far I’ve come. 

This spring feels and looks quite different to me. The light is absolutely freeing and brilliant. The smells and sounds, from birds singing, to the church bells ringing, and children playing in the park have me feeling enthusiastically alive. And so very grateful that I am.

The second card I pulled Wednesday morning from a deck called Moonology fit beautifully with Gaia. As I saw it as a reflection of when we do the hard work of working through what isn’t always easy, it truly is a re-birth that occurs, as we can’t help but be changed.

And in being honest, I had a brief sad moment, of which I’ve had before, especially the older I get, that I’ll never experience giving birth to a child. But I allow it to surface and acknowledge it. And then I remember all the different ways I have given birth. This was my journey to walk. I have no regrets.

And it’s in the simple pleasures of gathering up the bedding this morning and once through the washing machine to hang it all on the line, I find grounding and a peaceful space within. I never tire of this. It feels like a ritual from long ago and echoes of others who enjoyed this too, though I can’t quite hear, but yet I feel them near.

It also may only be in the mid-40s as I write this to you, but I just couldn’t help but put a pair of flip-flops on. I’m most happy in either boots or flip-flops – nothing in-between. As silly as it may sound, there would have been a day I’d not felt comfortable in sharing a photo of my feet without my toenails painted. It feels so freeing to let go of some of the inhibitions that can make life more complicated than it needs to be.

The sun streams through the bedroom windows at new angles with the changing of the light and the season. And one not to miss out is Miss Gidget. And add to her sweet spot soaking up the sun is burrowing her way into the sheets that lay on the floor before they found their way to the laundry room.

And this…this provided me another simple pleasure that made my heart happy. And as promised in the title of this blog post, I did say there was a dachshund in here somewhere. Anywhere there is sun and blankets or sheets in this case, is the perfect place for a wiener dog to nestle.

Signs of spring abound. And it’s understanding the darkness as a gift that makes the light all the more profound and beautiful.

XO,

Barbara

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The Blooming of New Life

Posted by Barbara Techel

The Booming of New Life

Every time I visited my dear friend Miss Marie’s home, I’d marvel at her Christmas cactus in the south window of her kitchen. I remember how she told me it was her grandmother’s. When her grandma died, Miss Marie inherited it. That cactus was well over 100 years old!

The past two years my Christmas cactus hasn’t bloomed. Recently I decided to re-pot it to see if that helped. Perhaps that is what did the trick to entice this blossom to burst forth, along with two other small buds that will eventually bloom, also.

But I can’t help but think it’s a wink from Miss Marie who passed away three weeks ago today. Not a day has gone by since she died that I’ve not thought of her. While her transition has her blooming in a new way, this cactus bloom has me thinking of how absolutely beautiful it must be wherever she is.

Signs of spring are showing up more and more each day. Just the other day, the sun abundant and warm, the snow melting and the sound of water rushing through the sewer grates, and the chirp of Robin’s who have returned, I found myself talking to Miss Maire. “Oh, Miss Marie!” I said. “I wish you were here to see spring just one more time.”

She loved birds and I’m sure she would have been tickled to see them. But then I smiled and tried to imagine how exquisitely beautiful it likely is where she now resides.

Spring is in bloom just as Miss Marie is blooming in a new place in the cosmos.

P.S. I hope to be back to more blogging again. I’ve missed it. But I also needed to center my focus on the writing of my new memoir. I’m happy to say I now have the manuscript printed and am editing it line-by-line with a brand new red pen. Next, it will be off to the editor. But now without the actual writing of my book, I’m feeling the call to return here to write when the niggle tickles me!

XO, Barbara