Welcome . . . to another Friday in the Sanctuary.
May you find a few moments of peace and respite here today. Life is tough. We all need to protect our peace.
C’mon in.
Take a break with me.
First, let me explain where I am . . . right now.
I’m actually in a kind of interesting place right now. About a month ago, I got a notice that Typepad, the old blogging platform I used for my original blog, Stepping Away From the Edge, was ceasing operation (had already ceased operation?) and that my former blog would disappear forever at the end of September. The notice came with some (pretty lame) “instructions” for exporting the site, which aren’t really workable for me. And, besides, I went through this whole thought process back in 2022 when I moved to WordPress and started blogging . . . here.
So I’ve been trying to figure out what to do . . . about my old blog before it disappears. I mean, I blogged – a lot – in that old space from 2009 until 2022. I’ll be blogging more about that whole . . . thing/process . . . in the weeks to come. Because, as you might imagine, there are metaphors and interesting life-lessons ALL over the place as I look over my past blog posts. (But those are not stories for today.)
Today, it’s enough to know that looking over what is essentially “old journals” . . . has put me in a mood. Not a bad mood or a sad mood or anything. Just a . . . thoughtful mood. About the passage of time and the perspective that can bring, y’know? As I re-read and sort through my old blog posts (which essentially cover the period of my life AFTER cancer) (which is an interesting slice, for sure) what stands out loudly and clearly is that . . . everything IS temporary. Everything. And that we really shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that . . . we should make the most of what we have today.
So what do I have for us today, here in the sanctuary?
First, I’ve got a message from Maria Shriver . . . about leadership.
And, really . . . about BEING a leader in today’s world. I know that every day, there is a new outrage; a new “thing” that sucks all the air out of the room. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and hopeless and consumed. So maybe . . . play this on repeat. It’s a powerful message, and one I really needed to hear this morning.
The images in this social media post are lovely and poignant, so I encourage you to watch it. But I’ve also included the text of the message as a quote if you want to save it for yourself, too.
Today, our country feels leaderless. The temperature is rising, anger is boiling over, and truth itself feels fragile.
But here’s the truth: each of us can step into that absence. Each of us, in our own way, can be the kind of leader this moment demands. Call it pastoring, call it tending, call it guiding whatever word resonates. Real leaders don’t bully or extort. They don’t pit us against each other. They listen. They allow silence. They speak truth. They hold space for grief and for hope. And every single one of us is capable of that kind of leadership right now, in our own lives.
— Maria Shriver, via social media 9/19/2025
Next, I’ve got a little Art Break for you. . .
I have long been fascinated by the work of artist Robert Strati, who takes shattered plates . . . and turns them into incredible pieces of art!
Now THIS is the kind of “rabbit hole” I can get stuck in for . . . a long time!
You see more of Rob’s work on Instagram. Or you can see more examples of his work here on his gallery website. (And, y’know . . . pick up a piece for yourself . . . if you have a spare $17,000 . . . ) And there are a series of short interviews with him on YouTube, too . . . should you want to hear more of his story and background.
What happens when a plate shatters? For artist Robert Strati, it’s the beginning of whole new worlds.
In his series Fragmented Realities, broken porcelain and delicate china become the foundation for intricate ink drawings — transforming destruction into surreal landscapes and dreamlike blueprints.
His art reminds us that even shattered pieces can build something extraordinary.
— Rob Strati, Instagram
And that’ll do it for this week, my friends
I hope you’ve found some . . . Sanctuary. . . here today.
At least for a few minutes.
Enjoy your weekend.
Rest.
Do what you can.
And remember . . . even shattered pieces can build something extraordinary.
Protect your peace!
(Also . . . enjoy one more for the road . . . see below)
Nothing like ~15 year old blog posts to bring on a little nostalgia and maybe give you some additional perspective for the present. And those broken plates! I love all the broken plate art I’ve seen (mosaics and kintsugi) but this is a whole ‘nother level. I’d check the couch for spare change but I’m pretty sure it won’t yield the $14,500 I need for a lovely blue windmill piece. Hope your weekend doesn’t require any mental slapping of people!
That question about what we hold and what we release, a very good thing to ponder. Thank you for the weekly reminder to protect our peace.
I’ve been blogging for over 20 years! There’s no way I could let that all go to the wind… but, whew, it’s a bit of a job.
I’ll be over here slapping people (mentally) (and giggling about it).
Have a great weekend!!
Thank you! Hope you get the blog stuff settled out. I still use historical blog posts (mostly to figure out if I read something yet).
You know, they say everything that’s on the internet is forever, but I guess that’s not necessarily the case! Thanks for sharing some fun and inspiration. I’ll be sure to slap some people mentally when they are idiots.
Seeing that broken blue and white plate … really made me feel some things. Thanks for the link! (and have a good weekend)
I really love Maria’s voice and the calm she brings to my week! I had not seen that IG post so that you for posting it! (and yes, I will be over here mentally slapping people like Vicki! Hahaha!)
The art work though… oh. my. goodness!
So of course I ran right over and started reading some of your old entries and was amazed how recent they felt. As if I had just read them yesterday. Thanks for the warning, Kym! I will continue to do so a few at a time until they evaporate! (And am tempted to print out most of my Ravelry patterns as well. They may be forever as far as Ravelry is concerned but maybe not as far the Internet is concerned.)
I didn’t know Typepad was going away. I blogged there from 2004-2018 and, since I never really think about what’s there, I feel I’ve already let it go. I had one post where I asked everyone to tell me their secrets and I think that would be something fun to find, but I’m letting that go, too.
Thank you for Maria’s words and for Rob’s amazing art work. Wow! A dream would be to have one on my wall, but that spare $17,000 doesn’t want to leave my pocket. 😀
Maria’s voice and words are an inspiration. We are quite leader-less at the moment. Shattered pieces remind me of Cohen’s words, “There’s a crack in everything, it’s how the light gets im.”
There have been times in my life where I have been shattered. And I have somehow, with my own strength and a lot of support from people who love me, put myself back together into something … I’m struggling with the word here because I can’t call myself extraordinary (like those plates) but maybe … I’m wiser. Or at least more resilient.