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.

As I write this week’s post, I’m up north at our cabin with Tom and JoJo. We’ve been up here all week, actually. Enjoying a fall get-away, talking to various flooring/carpet folks to gather estimates for work we hope to have done next spring, and preparing to close the place down for the winter on Saturday. It’s been a lovely week. Perfect, chilly fall weather. Evenings around our campfire. The leaves are just beginning to turn (late this year), and every day is more colorful than the last. As far as getting away from “real life” for awhile? Highly recommend. (Oh. And the stunning photo at the top of page? Tom took that yesterday afternoon from our dock.)

So this week, I’m feeling more relaxed and replenished. Perspective . . . is key. If you have an opportunity to get away or check out of your ordinary life for a few days, it might be really helpful for your mental state. And if you don’t have that luxury, maybe just . . . unplug for a day or two. (I’ve been turning off my computer after uploading my weekly Sanctuary post on Fridays . . . and not logging on again until Sunday evening. It makes a world of difference in my attitude and outlook. Just sayin.)

These little breaks . . . build my capacity to find joy. Even when the news is grim. So join me this week here in the Sanctuary while I share a few pieces of joy I found this week.

Let’s begin with this musical interlude . . .

Here’s a brief message that accompanies the song – Jackson Browne’s Doctor My Eyes . . .

“Doctor, my eyes . . . tell me what is wrong.”

In a world filled with heartbreak, conflict, and uncertainty, we turn to music to help us process what words alone cannot express. This Song Around The World of “Doctor My Eyes” is more than a cover — it’s a cry for healing, a moment to reflect, and a reminder that we’re not alone in what we feel.

May this song offer clarity. Comfort. And the courage to keep going.

—- Playing for Change

If you haven’t heard of Playing For Change yet, you can learn more about them here on their website. You can also watch other videos — all equally uplifing and joy-filled — from their site.

Next, I’ve got some silliness for you . . .

I always find joy in silly things that make me laugh. So here’s a little clip . . . that combines my love of birdwatching with my love of doodling. And music. (If you stretch your imagination, that is.)

Doesn’t that just make you smile?
And . . . give you an urge to doodle some arms on your own bird photos???

And let’s not stop there! Let’s have some more silly fun . . .

with (ahem) “birds” and “music.”

And that’ll do it for this week, my friends

I hope you’ve found some . . . Sanctuary. . . here today.
Maybe a little clarity. Some comfort.
And the courage to carry on.

Remember . . . we’re not alone in what we feel.

Enjoy your weekend.
Unplug if you can.
And maybe . . . try a little doodling!

ONWARD.
Protect your peace!

One more thing . . . I know that many of us have trouble sleeping these day. So I’m sharing this last little song. Maybe we can sing it together when we can’t sleep . . .