Author: susanwbailey

My name is Susan Bailey and I find the life of Louisa May Alcott endlessly fascinating. I come from New England (specifically Massachusetts) and my family has been here in one form or another since the 1630′s. I live fairly close to Concord, MA where Orchard House, the homestead of the Alcotts, is located, and visit often. Every few years or so I go on a reading ‘binge’ about Louisa and this time around was so good, I just had to start a blog about my passion. The binge, by the way, still goes on! I’ve been happily married for over 30 years and my husband is a deacon in the Melkite Church (Eastern Catholic – I am Roman Catholic). We are proud parents of a grown son and daughter. I’ve worked happily for the last 17 years at Rutledge Properties in Wellesley, MA, supporting the agents in the office. And in my ‘other life,’ I’ve performed, written and recorded music exploring my Catholic faith. I have a website (www.susanbailey.net) where you can hear samples and find out more about this. I sing at various masses at my home parish of St. Luke the Evangelist in Westboro, MA. Other interests include history (especially photographic), nature (especially bird watching), and I have the same ‘inordinate love of cats’ that Louisa had. :-)

Who are your teachers and what “study guides” do you have?

Published on October 15, 2013March 19, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

This is what I read today in Generous Faith Stories to Inspire Abundant Living, a lovely book by Sr. Bridget Haase, OSU.

You remember Sr. Bridget. She’s the one I wrote about recently who is speaking at the Gather Us In 2013 women’s conference taking place on November 2. (see previous post).

She’s the one who has made it a habit to live life joyfully, fully, despite and because of what happens in her life.

Her book today offered a quick little chapter about a young girl from Dog Lick Hollow in the hills of Appalachia. Ida Jean was in Sister’s third grade classroom. Her mother said the Ida Jean “hain’t learned nothin’” but as Sister was to discover, Ida Jean had a wealth of information, taught to her by Mother Nature:

“She could call trees by name and she knew when a ‘growin’ shower’ was coming by the feel of the wind on her face. She anticipated with tango gut would bloom in the hills and would gather it before it was gone. Ida Jean could smell a copperhead before she glimpsed it and also could tend a fire. She knew to plant potatoes in the dark of the moon and to cut her hair in the last quarter.”

Having learned a great deal from Mother Nature myself, I knew that Ida Jean had experienced learning from a great teacher.

So who are my teachers and what “study guides” do I have?

In random order:

Books.
Louisa May Alcott.
A long walk on a summer’s day.
Intimate conversations with my sister.
Listening to my brother on the phone.
A quick dinner with my daughter.
Prayers at different intervals throughout the day.
Writing.
A day spent at the Houghton Library at Harvard.
Drifting downstream in the kayak with Rich.
Aching feet.
Gazing at an icon.
Pondering the face of God.

Ida Jean grew in self-esteem teaching others the skill of reading clouds.

Her classmates understood the hidden wisdom.

Clouds present beautiful pictures in the sky, being whatever your imagination makes them out to be: puffy white cotton balls, streaks of gray smeared across the sky with an invisible piece of charcoal, deep yellow and orange clumps of sherbert reflecting a magnificent sunset. Clouds can be most entertaining while sitting in traffic. Clouds tell me when a storm is brewing, building tall towers of marshmallow into the sky. I know it’s time to turn on my wipers when I see the rain cloud touching the horizon, marching towards me

Joni Mitchell sang about clouds. She knew too they were teachers:

Just now while writing this post, my computer decided it was time to update itself. Bam, shutdown! I was not pleased. While I sat waiting for it to do its thing, I looked out the window and watched the leaves on the trees rustle in the wind. I imagined them as thousands of hands from the hosts of heaven, waving at me. I’m glad my computer shut down to give me the time to see that.

I have many teachers. I love being a student and I will be one for the rest of my life.

Who are your teachers? What are your “study guides”?

Click to Tweet & Share: Solace in the rose-colored candle: a prayer for the 26 Innocents of Newtown, CT http://wp.me/p2D9hg-kk

Would you like to learn along with Susan how to live your life
in single flow?
Send an email to susanwbailey@gmail.com
to subscribe, and never miss a post!
Follow Susan on Facebook and Twitter
Listen to Susan’s music Read Susan’s blog, Louisa May Alcott is My Passion

The Gift of Pain – guest post by The Holy Rover, Lori Erikson

Published on October 14, 2013March 19, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

Lori Erikson is an Episcopalian minister who writes a beautiful blog which I have featured here previously known as The Holy Rover. I would like to highlight her homily from Sunday, October 13, based upon the Gospel of St. Luke depicting the ten lepers begging Jesus for healing and the one who returns in gratitude.

This, however, is not a homily about gratitude but the story of a remarkable doctor, his discovery about leprosy and most importantly, what that discovery has to say about the value of pain.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the Gospel reading this morning, we encounter the most feared, isolated, and vulnerable people in the Bible: lepers. Ten of them have been healed by Jesus, but only one comes back to give him thanks. We are meant to notice the fact that this man is a Samaritan, a member of a group considered to be social and religious outcasts by most Jews of the day. While the other nine rush off to begin their new lives, only one returns to express his gratitude to Jesus for the miraculous transformation he has undergone.

There are nearly 70 references to leprosy in the Bible, which is not surprising given the fact that it was the most dreaded disease in the ancient world. Biblical scholars say the term likely included a wide range of skin conditions, of which the most devastating was the illness that is now termed Hansen’s Disease. In Jesus’ day, this virulent bacterial infection not only crippled people’s bodies: it also robbed them of their home, family, community, livelihood, and dignity. Because of the contagious nature of the disease, a leper was cast out from society, reduced to begging for food and prohibited from participating in religious rituals. It is no wonder that lepers dogged Jesus’ steps, for once it became known that he was someone who could heal this deadly affliction, they must have flocked to him at every opportunity.

While leprosy has not been completely eradicated in the world, its terrors are greatly lessened because of advances in medical treatments. The story of how these breakthroughs were made is recounted in a fascinating book by physician Paul Brand. Published in 1993, it bears the seemingly contradictory title The Gift of Pain. I’d like to tell you about it today as kind modern-day parable of healing, one with surprising implications for our own lives.

Click here to read this post in full.

Click to Tweet & Share: The Gift of Pain – guest post by Lori Erikson @holyrover http://wp.me/p2D9hg-w0

Would you like to learn along with Susan how to live your life
in single flow?
Send an email to susanwbailey@gmail.com
to subscribe, and never miss a post!
Follow Susan on Facebook and Twitter
Listen to Susan’s music Read Susan’s blog, Louisa May Alcott is My Passion

When might compartments be necessary? Perhaps when you’re juggling two all-consuming passions?

Published on October 9, 2013March 19, 2016 by susanwbailey18 Comments

I’m in a pickle and I need your help.

I have two all-consuming passions right now and I’m trying to figure out what to do with them. It involves the writing of two books.

Dreamy summer

Since April I have been immersed in research for a book I want to write about Elizabeth Alcott, the one sister of that illustrious family who has never truly been fleshed out. I just spent one of the most meaningful summers in years, head buried in old books, Alcott letters and journals from the Houghton Library at Harvard, and biographies of the family. I’ve spent countless hours in
the car during my long commute to work talking out my theories, struggling to assemble the puzzle and having no luck. Then one day, a line for a preface to the book came into my head out of nowhere and I scribbled the beginnings of the preface to the book. I poured over the preface for the next two weeks, watching the puzzle pieces fall neatly into place, as if I was playing Tetras. I sent the preface off to my editor and she wrote back saying she couldn’t wait to read the first chapter. I was elated.

I should have been burnt out but I wasn’t. I looked forward to many more months of the same.

Competition

And then, along came an opportunity. A professional opportunity that I could not turn down. But it’s a project that will require everything I have. I must pour myself into this project as I did with my Alcott project. This project, if accepted, could open many doors and teach me the trade in ways I could never have imagined.

Can’t bear to put it away

Letting go of my first love has been difficult. The boat is full and still raring to go, but I had to push the boat away and dock it for a time. I can still see that boat off in the distance, calling to me.

Changing direction

But I must be a professional. I must attend to this present opportunity and give it the same passion as I gave to my Alcott project. Switching mindsets is like getting stuck in the mud, trying to lift the heavy foot out of the muck, cleaning it off, and setting it in a new direction. And both feet have to go.

Can I stick to my principles?

And then I started wondering: could I juggle both projects at once? Would it require creating separate compartments in my mind and heart to house them? Isn’t compartmentalization the very thing I have been pushing away, trying instead to live in a single flow? Didn’t I start this public blog to hold myself accountable to that idea?

Now what?

I could really use your help on this. Please tell me if you have experienced this and how you dealt with it. If you know of a blog post, please share the link in the comments.

And I thank you!

Click to Tweet & Share: When might compartments be necessary? Perhaps when you’re juggling two all-consuming passions? http://wp.me/p2D9hg-vO

Would you like to learn along with Susan how to live your life
in single flow?
Send an email to susanwbailey@gmail.com
to subscribe, and never miss a post!
Follow Susan on Facebook and Twitter
Listen to Susan’s music Read Susan’s blog, Louisa May Alcott is My Passion

Three practices of the abundant life from Sr. Bridget Haase, O.S.U.

Published on October 8, 2013March 19, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

Meeting Sr. Bridget Haase, OSU has been a watershed moment in my life for reasons I can’t reveal just now. Her book, Generous Faith, is beautifully written with compelling and heartfelt stories that lead you into a deeper appreciation of your faith. I highly recommend this book which, by the way, is very pleasing to hold and read if you’re into the tactile experience of reading. 🙂
Sr. Bridget is coming to speak at the Gather Us In Women’s Conference on November 2, 2013 at the DCU Center in Worcester. The end of the post has all the details.

The ultimate secret garden (posted on location)

Published on October 2, 2013March 19, 2016 by susanwbailey1 Comment

I had to add this secret garden at Wellesley College, in the same areas as the others, noted in the previous post. This one is up a small hill from the path, under small and large fir trees. They frame tiny and beautiful waterfall, spilling from the rocks.

When I saw it, I knew I had to share it while on location. Nature meets technology and it’s a peaceable kingdom for a change.

Where is your secret garden? What is it like? What do you like to do there?

Click to Tweet & Share: The ultimate secret garden (posted on location) http://wp.me/p2D9hg-vE

Would you like to learn along with Susan how to live your life
in single flow?
Send an email to susanwbailey@gmail.com
to subscribe, and never miss a post!
Follow Susan on Facebook and Twitter
Listen to Susan’s music Read Susan’s blog, Louisa May Alcott is My Passion

Check out this little guy! Nature’s miracle in a Spring Peeper

Published on October 2, 2013March 19, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

Leave it to my son to find this tiny Spring Peeper. Nothing escapes this guy:

We used to love hearing them in the early spring, peeping in the local swamp. One year we had a lone peeper in the tarp of our swimming pool! I felt bad he never found his mate. We were treated to a couple of lusty tree frogs that year too. 🙂

Have you ever caught a Spring Peeper?

Click to Tweet & Share: Check out this little guy! Nature’s miracle in a Spring Peeper http://wp.me/p2D9hg-vw

Would you like to learn along with Susan how to live your life
in single flow?
Send an email to susanwbailey@gmail.com
to subscribe, and never miss a post!
Follow Susan on Facebook and Twitter
Listen to Susan’s music Read Susan’s blog, Louisa May Alcott is My Passion

How I run away from home … for lunch! The secret gardens of Wellesley College

Published on September 30, 2013March 19, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

Sometimes you just want to run away from home. It’s not that home’s so bad. In fact, home is great! But the warm autumn weather beckons, tinged with a crisp breeze, and it carries you away to beautiful places.

In my quest to get to the local CVS during lunch to pick up a pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, the pristine day led me to nearby Wellesley College and one of my favorite places, behind the Botany Building where my mom used to work, in the secret gardens.

I made a mental note that I must bring a notebook with me the next time I come here and plant myself in one of these little outdoor rooms and scribble away.

My favorite author and writing muse, Louisa May Alcott, wrote of her longing for a room of her own. Finally nearing her teens, her parents gave her one with a door leading out to the garden where she could “run away from home” whenever she liked.

Louisa May Alcott in her own room, illustration by Flora Smith from The Story of Louisa May Alcott by Joan Howard

Louisa also loved writing in apple trees, crunching on crisp, juicy apples:

"I write best up in the apple tree"; illustration by Flora Smith. — “I write best up in the apple tree”; illustration by Flora Smith.

So I thought of Louisa in her apple tree when I saw this pine:

I loved this little “room” created by fir bushes, complete with a little door:

The view outside the room was equally lovely:

A grape arbor with flat stones for a bench:

A stone bench dedicated to a loved one as a place to remember loved ones:

All this just a short walk from my office. Does “home” get any better than this?

Made me think of a song by Judy Collins:

And if I hadn’t taken that detour to the college, I wouldn’t have noticed that a new Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins store has opened in Wellesley Square. I was able to get my pound of coffee for less money, and use the savings to get my favorite iced mocha with cream and sugar. 🙂

I can’t wait for the next time when I can “run away from home.” And I’ll be sure and take a notebook next time.

Do you have any secret gardens near your office or home?

Where do you like to steal away for the loveliness of quiet and solitude?

Click to Tweet & Share: How I run away from home … for lunch! The secret gardens of Wellesley College http://wp.me/p2D9hg-vc

Would you like to learn along with Susan how to live your life
in single flow?
Send an email to susanwbailey@gmail.com
to subscribe, and never miss a post!
Follow Susan on Facebook and Twitter
Listen to Susan’s music Read Susan’s blog, Louisa May Alcott is My Passion

Seeing Linda Ronstadt at her book signing for “Simple Dreams” in Brookline, MA

Published on September 20, 2013March 19, 2016 by susanwbailey2 Comments

Joni Mitchell taught me to write songs and Linda Ronstadt taught me how to sing. I emulated her voice although I never had the sustained power she had. Ronstadt has now lost her voice due to Parkinson’s and has penned a musical memoir called Simple Dreams, presenting her amazing 45 year career as a singer. Although Ronstadt’s personal life was colorful (to say the least, especially in her rock star heyday), this is not a cheap tell-all. Ronstadt has immersed herself since childhood in many musical styles from folk, pop and rock to standards from the American Songbook, to Mexican, and definitely to eclectic. Her musical journey has sometimes confused her fans but all Ronstadt fans agree that this lady was one amazing singer!

512 chris lydon and linda — Christopher Lydon and Linda Ronstadt

Not “just” a singer

Ronstadt has longed to share the amazing encyclopedic knowledge that she has of music and this book finally gives her the vehicle. Last night at her book signing, she carried on a casual and engaging conversation with PBS host Christopher Lydon. Funny, blunt, quirky and highly intelligent, she demonstrated the depth of her knowledge historically, technically and aesthetically, oftentimes making remarkable connections with regards to the influences of past singers on present ones. There’s a lot to be learned about musical influences from this lady!

Rosemary Clooney and Linda Ronstadt at Symphony Hall, Boston

Colorful stories

Her delightful quirky humor would pop out with comments about how great a kisser Marvin Gaye was, or how much she adored Smokey Robinson. Her comments about Emmylou Harris (another influence of mine) and Rosemary Clooney (a true artist) were especially interesting. Bowled over by both singers, she demonstrated uncommon wisdom and humility, choosing to “submit herself” as she says, to their greatness. In essence, she chose to learn rather than to compete. And in the end she was the winner, singing with the both of them and building lasting friendships throughout her long career.

Guarded emotions

Linda+Ronstadt++Emmylou+Harris+lindaandemmylou2 — Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris

Ronstadt is notoriously guarded about sharing raw emotion and can come off as rather matter-of-face and academic when she speaks. I had hoped she would touch on how she coped with losing her singing voice as I too have lost mine (due to acid reflux) or how she is coping with her Parkinson’s, but the issues were not brought up. Occasionally she will let her true feelings slip out as she did in her interview with Diane Sawyer where she shared her craving to sing on stage with Emmylou Harris recently rather than sit in the audience. She could not even sing along softly to herself. This is the woman who said that her recording and performing career was only one percent of the music in her life. That story hit a raw nerve and I found myself tearing up unexpectedly as grief often does. We both have accepted and made peace with our losses, but a longing, a memory will crop up suddenly and the process begins all over again, only to pass quickly like a summer shower.

512 linda book signing — Linda signing our book

A connection …

I longed to tell her that she was not alone in her loss but the moment didn’t present itself. I was, however, able to tell her something else and it got a wonderful reaction. While having our book signed, in a brief Twitter-length sentence I said, “I hope you found the writing process to be as creatively satisfying as singing.” She looked right up at me, pleasantly surprised and chirped, “Oh yes!” Then she made a brief comment about the fun of editing which is my favorite part of writing too.

Making connections is so much fun!

My husband Rich has been a passionate fan of Ronstadt’s for many years and ran her fan club for ten of those years. Last night he was able to meet up with other fans and reminisce about the old days when they attended concerts together and compared notes online, I didn’t understand his passion then but I do now, seeing as I am a Louisa May Alcott groupie. 🙂

I’m glad I’ve finally made that connection with him.

Click to Tweet & Share: Seeing Linda Ronstadt at her book signing for “Simple Dreams” in Brookline, MA http://wp.me

Would you like to learn along with Susan how to live your life
in single flow?
Send an email to susanwbailey@gmail.com
to subscribe, and never miss a post!
Follow Susan on Facebook and Twitter
Listen to Susan’s music Read Susan’s blog, Louisa May Alcott is My Passion

“All is Well:” Peggy Patenaude’s message at the Gather Us In 2013 women’s conference in Worcester, MA

Published on September 17, 2013March 19, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

On November 2, The Commission for Women of the Diocese of Worcester, MA (which I chair) is holding it’s biennial women’s conference, Gather Us In 2013 at the DCU Center. Registration is open and you can download the brochure and registration form at www.worcestercommissionforwomen.org.

I’ve been profiling the speakers for our conference in articles written for the Catholic Free Press. Here is a profile of one of our workshop presenters, Peggy Patenaude.

Women of New England, I hope to see you at our conference!