The Ebb And Flow

Good morning dear mermaid hearts, 

At the start, when I began contemplating how I should or may shift my online presence, I consulted with my dearly beloved husband. He is my closest confidant, and the second is my most cherished friend, P. It has been weighing upon my heart for some time now as I've been truly trying to find those kindred spirits to share with my online offerings. 

In 2006 when I began my online blog, there wasn't competition in my world. I merely wrote to jot down my feelings and diary my daily online giving. Upon tucking my wee cherubs into bed and saying their little prayers that fairy beasts wouldn't come for them from their balcony windows, I would type away, never knowing where or what I was attempting to accomplish. I enjoyed it greatly and deeply felt the desire to share, whether by words or a DIY project; now, looking back, my soul longed for womanly connections. I was somewhat motivated to write and create, yet a great deal of my motivation would ebb and flow like the ocean's tides. It would rise, and then a crashing wave of thunder would knock it back down. 

In the beginning, I was doing it for no other reason than for the love of it, and I enjoyed it whilst it lasted. Then in 2017, when everything came crashing, and through a series of unfortunate events, I lost eleven years of my online words, a swift desire to write online again deeply awakened within me. I knew I would have to utilise my wheelhouse and a great notion of tenacity by beginning all over again. 

My blog has remained, and I plan for it to sustain itself for as long as I can put words together and create art. When I filed for a divorce from my ex-ill-suited mate, my blog was there for me. It was my happy place. When my son died, my blog was there for me; again, it was my happy place. The slow recovery of healing from a most difficult experience brought me back into the land of the living. All that I care for has improved because I have an allegiance to my online presence; this blog. I believe deep within my heart many women also desire similar notions as myself, and this is why I have such a compassionate nature for this space. Though it is small, it is mighty. If you are curious about why I began asking those who enjoy my work to sign up for Patreon, it is for several reasons; one is that for a very long time, I had difficulty loving myself enough to feel I deserved to be rewarded (paid) for my craft. I often think many women also grapple with this notion; this matter at heart is why I feel a great deal of responsibility to inspire women to rise to the occasion of deeply recognising one's worthiness. To find wisdom and delight in writings and illustrations and so many helpful, moving and beautiful things is what brings us together in love and companionship. The notions and matters I care about, read and adore are at the heart of why I carry on with my little niche online. I want you to know how much your example of showing up to read my blog and sign up for my Patreon means the world to me. It is a sign that I mean something to you and you care about me because we have a tethering cord strung about from soul to soul, linking us as dear, intrinsically bound friends. I believe our only challenge as women is if we aren't willing with gentle, loving hearts to unite. Otherwise, nothing is keeping us from creating the most extraordinary fairytale world; fairytales give us our imaginary wings to believe anything is possible. We, as women, are the mothers; we are the rulers asunder the moon and the shining stars of a most wonderful poetic world. 

I understand the weighing and the negatives of the world, yet I am an eternal optimist, and I find when I share goodness, more goodness reigns upon me and (you), my darling friends here in this special little chipmunk's nest. 

As of late, I have felt called upon to discern how to make my online life and business feel more like sitting upon a rock next to the ledge of the ocean sending out my thoughtful ripples whilst also deeply feeling the connectedness of others. And although there will be constant waves, rushing rivers and brewing storms throughout our lives upon the billowy ocean of anxiousness, our underwater haven will be the place of calm, gentle ripples where life is slow, homey, happy, old-timey and simplistic. This kind of life is much needed.

My dear hearts, our lives take fastidious employment, for it will always require toiling away to shift our minds and focus from the algae smudges on the porthole looking out of windows from an outside world full of distraction. It requires conscious effort to swim furiously against the tides and currents that would lead us off course away from our imaginary world of Taking Joy and Following our Bliss, yet as long as we are in this together, no tide can separate us, for we have life rafts for all. Today this is my deepest and most sincere letter messaged in a bottle. 

I hope your day is beautiful and worthy of bringing a smile upon your face. You deserve it.

{P.S. I very much wish upon a star that you'll sign up for Patreon this month. I am not charging for the month of July, although I will be putting out a brilliant video titled; "How A Landlocked Victorian Mermaid Washes Her Garments." I include links to all of my favourite ancient ingredients, victorian labels you can print off for your very own antique bottles and jars, and ancient recipes for bits that are soiled and stained and demonstrate how I made my own dolly from scratch. All of this and much more.}

Most affably, yours til my next swim, Lady Raquel (Or if you're my friend, you can call me Razz)

The Lady Doth Protest Too Much (Cottage Core Instagram Influencers Are The Enemies Of The Jealous Until One Comprehends The Emotion, According To Me)

"Now some point a finger and let ignorance linger; if they'd look in the mirror, they'd find that ever since the beginning to keep the world spinning, It takes all kinds of kinds."

"These are the only genuine ideas, the ideas of the shipwrecked. All the rest is rhetoric, posturing, a farce." — Jose Ortega Gasset

My beloved friend and I were having a chinwag the other day about the ole' app Instagram. I began prattling on about how much I once had a vexing challenge with Instagram. Let me be frank. It was the bain of my landlocked existence. That is until I realised my (Mermaid Inner Being/Spirit) was attempting to teach me something about myself if I latched my gob for five seconds and listened.

Spirit/God/Consciousness has ways to help us through life if we fully stop attempting to do everything ourselves or quell long enough, taking flight from our problems each time we encounter a challenge. Our spirit is there to guide us; however, we humans have stubbornness like a two-year-old in the grocery line, refusing to pipe down our tantrums until we get our lolly. 

The beautiful advantage for me is that I write at nauseating degrees about mindset work, and writing about Instagram is no different. I spent nearly a decade working through what my emotions of jealousy over the notorious ladies on Instagram with a massive following were teaching me. In 2012-2015, I was ridiculously jealous of Guinivere Von Sneeden's attention. I knew there had to be some meaning to why jealousy was eating me alive. Do you recall I wrote this post? It is quite apparent I have grown, and today I can happily report having healed completely. In my heart, I knew I was just as talented as her (if not more), but she had the numbers, so why didn't I? I couldn't understand it, so In my vexing, I turned my frustration on its head and became determined to understand myself. Today I teach others, and It feels so wonderful. I am so happy you've swum along to visit me today, dear mermaid hearts. I've missed you.

What a full circle here, my friends. Guinivere's success is because she allows her desires to flow in and holds no resistance to her dreams. It was no reflection on me except that I was not allowing my desires to materialise, and she was. Rather than understanding how the mind works, I would externally blame whoever was 'getting' what they wanted and I wasn't. How dare they! Hey ho. She was following the flow and allowing all of her desires in. Well done, Jenny! The truth is when someone is successful in an area, and we also want that similar desire (such as a large following on Instagram, a home in the countryside, to be a New York Times Best Seller, etc.) It is merely our Inner Being signalling to us from our deeper selves about what we also really want. Everything that makes us jealous is a fragment of our truest potential, and rather than utilising those jealous feelings, we externalise them and blame that other person when It's truly the internal denial of our own Mermaid Inner Being.

Everything is going to be alright. Just keep calm and carry on Razz. Says the lass who, several years ago, was perfectly anxious whenever I would open Instagram on my phone. I also know that when I have a little skettle of fish, I am quite determined to risk a woman's happiness to extrapolate a method that will cure the madness. It is rather impossible to do otherwise when my conscious prompts me. The serum of truth is always best. Though it may initially hurt, it's much better than denial. Furthermore, physical ailments arise from holding in our emotions. 

I have written an excessive amount of evergreen posts about Instagram because even today, it's a subject no one seems to discuss how I think it should.

In addition, I also remind myself that because I am a cast member on the reality show Cottage to the Core (Hello Sunshine Productions), there should be a spokesperson on a platform that evokes and speaks openly about the issues women are facing in the cottage core community with specificity to Instagram. I elect myself. (Read that as If I have the voice of an undertaker. Teehee, I kid, I kid) You can rest assured of my continued attention on this matter. There are "cottage core women" whom I will not specifically name (because I have respect for them, although I am going to take them apart like clocks for a moment) who assert to be wise, lovely and all-encompassing wee delicate flowered examples of what living the dream life is with their little cottages on pieces of secluded sacred earth with gardens, glorified tablescapes, artistry, book reading, and all things that "happy" should be. They share the carefully orchestrated reels with their California fun filters and songs of Can I Have the Day with You.

Whereas that is ideal, the images and reels are majestic and evoke a feeling of fantasy; that is not real life, and I find it misleading to misrepresent. I know what you're going to say. You reflected those women because you were also that way yourself, Razz. I know you're right, but for the sake of this post, I am speaking of how I was then. Many women spend excessive time on Instagram when they should place that time into their true mothership, their blogs. I am aware the women on Instagram want to become influencers and be Instagram famous. Still, I also want to warn them that they seek fame because they are insufficient in their value of self and seek validation through feeling significant on Instagram. Our mental health crisis in society today is for this reason. It is not because we allow our children (daughters) to stay sat on social media constantly. I could cure the entire world in a split second. I say that with absolute conviction. How? I continue to teach women and mothers how to reprogram their minds with new beliefs that instil exorbitant amounts of self-belief, self-worth, and self-love. Which, in turn then, they will teach to their daughters. This is why I am so passionate about teaching women to have ridiculous amounts of self-confidence; for our children (daughters) do not have a cat-fighting chance in hell without claws otherwise.

My dear friends, Ladies, you do not own your content on these platforms. I am merely stating this because we should look at what we are devoting our time and attention to; if, god forbid, these sites went down, many would be stranded on a deserted island. I have seen dozens of women leave and abandon their blogs for Instagram fame, and it's quite disheartening. 

Another thing I notice is that so many women become vanilla and practically mechanical on their account feeds. If I've seen one cottage core account, I've seen one hundred, and I can't tell one from the other. They are now blending into each other. This notion occurs because so many women follow mindlessly after catching sight of those certain ladies on their explore page with loads of followers, and she jumps on the bandwagon and decides to clip, copy-paste, and the beat goes on. I've felt now for several years that my life purpose is not to extinguish their puffed-up fairy tale dreams (because it is beautiful to dream, in fact, it's quite necessary and our distinct nature) but to bring forth the matter that women must be accountable for their actions when perpetuating a narrative that is far from an inspirational encouragement when they post some of the content they are thrusting forth, for it is irresponsible. Especially when so many women unthinkingly believe hook, line, and sinker that these women are perfect and somehow their lives are the end all to beat all. They place them on a pedestal like a high priestess and then feel like rubbish because they compare themselves to these women with numbers and lifestyle. Compare, compare, compare. I hear all sorts of common tales of woe, and I try to teach the women who have reached out to me that to change a belief system, one must imprint new beliefs. We are very successful in working through the paradigm shifts when we are able to uncover the wounds being touched upon. My teachings are quite a success. I am currently planning loads of small gathering workshops at The Carter Settlement regarding precisely this manner of mindset work. I know it will change millions of women's lives. There's no other way to overcome those feelings of inadequacy than to imprint new beliefs whilst sleeping. I'm revealing the hack all spiritual gurus, multi-millionaires and successful people do to achieve their dreams. I will constantly lay out the secrets of the kingdom to encourage change. I've spent decades diving into my misgivings to uncover all I've learned and received as downloads from spirit. 

"Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats." ~Howard Aiken

Therefore I've concluded those who want to change, learn and expand will find my writings and teachings and the rest; well, life goes on. Whilst those folks who heard and didn't listen will remain left unchanged. For the dear folks who haven't yet escaped the mindset of knowing intrinsically that numbers do not equal value or are willing to search their soul and desire to become better women, I will always keep the faith that one day they will want to change their lives. I want women to live their dreams and best lives. Let us not misappropriate our emotions toward other women, accept responsibility for our actions, and work to improve. We are in this together, ladies. 

You can be a massive influence in the world and yet be a wretched individual. Numbers, picturesque Instagram grids and popularity mean absolute nil. The meaningful women who follow these larger accounts begin coveting and yearning for that same life but feeling they won't ever have it because their self-worth has become severely punctured. I know this because I have had hundreds (yes, hundreds) of women message and email me this nearly verbatim, and they convey sadness and inadequacy. I was also this lass myself. I left Instagram, and many women still do to this day, and it's because they do not understand what is occurring. So rather than mulling over the emotions and trying to understand our Mermaid Inner Being, we run away and delete our accounts, put them on private, etc. I know because I did this myself. Overall, I had about eight different Instagram accounts. Many leave Instagram because they can't come to terms with it or do not understand what their Inner Being is trying to teach. I will always admonish you, dear hearts, to stay on the platform; fleeing never results in sustainable healing once and for all. Stay and dig deep to understand yourself and those feelings and emotions bubbling up to the surface. They are a 'good thing' (as Martha Stewart would say.) I know it's not the fault of the women behind the large accounts in totality; however, they do tend to push the portrayal of perfection trapped in a moment, and I want to draw them back into the great waters of the living.

Rather than passing on the temptations to post on Instagram, may they override into the quiet calm within where the day sleeps, and may their hearts go to an internal validation growing strong at the alter of their heart. 

Women in our climate need confident women to uplift and direct them towards self-encouragement and a healthy mindset. A positive, optimistic perspective is a beautiful way to live out one's dreams; yes, I live this kind of fairytale life today, but I arrived here from deep internal work I've done for myself. And you can too. It doesn't come easily; everyone would do it if it did. One must want to change, and the fire within must burn fiercely. I see what these women with larger accounts are doing to the detriment of many women who follow them. Many years ago, before I changed my subconscious beliefs by imprinting new ones, I once knew many of these women personally. I say I once knew because our spirits no longer resonate, yet I still hope they read my posts because whereas I was angry, I am no longer, and my goal is to help women. I adore all women and truly find extreme joy in teaching my comrades. I am interested in spiritual expansion and becoming the greatest version of myself, and I want that for all ladies. I know digging and unearthing the truthfulness of who we are is not a walk in the park. Yet, as a beautiful society of women, we will never unite deeply with the connection of friendship if we continually keep performing the same as we always have or living in the assumptions of what we think jealousy is when it's merely a symptom. All things are symptoms of a deeper issue. 

"Insanity is doing the same thing expecting a different result." -Albert Einstein

These ladies (as lovely in many areas as they are/were) have no interest in sprouting into the greatness they inherently are; they boldly stay upon their high horse and remain veneer, never revealing the truthfulness of who they are by being transparent. I am constantly amazed (and not in a good way either) at how little so many folks do not require or yearn for thought-provoking valuable posts. I have no issues with posting images of pretty perfection; however, I find the attention grabs at nauseating levels quite distasteful, especially when there is not an ounce of value to them.

The people who assume I'm behaving overly dramatically are the precise ones who refuse to see what transpires. I'm not speaking to them. I want to talk to the ones who have a passion for living a highly elevated life—one where we, as women, want to understand how to become the best and influence change for humanity as a whole. 

Why am I the only person who ever seems to write about this type of issue occurring on Instagram? Life will throw every person a difficult blow at some time or another. I promise you that an Instagram outing to High-Clere Castle with your besties is not going to comfort you on a wretched night when you've got the news your mum or child has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, you get the call your son is dead, or your husband has lost his job and can no longer work in the capacity he once did. When we as individual women continue looking in the opposite direction and refusing to accept our responsible role as leaders in our field and repeatedly run from our issues, run away from Instagram, delete accounts, and put them on private rather than tell our friends (followers) we're in the middle of a life crack, thinking that's going to solve our issues we will remain in the state of stagnation. We will keep reliving the same ole' thing day in and day out like a hamster on the wheel. I'd rather chew my arm off than live like that. 

Running away or putting on some fake notion that all is right at every moment of the day is purely bogus. The women who are truthful with themselves and the women I spend time with can spot this nonsense on stilts a country mile, but the ones who can't, it is my responsibility to hold them accountable. If my only way is by writing here on my blog and in my books, I am pleased as punch to do it. It is their responsibility to use their platform to do good in our world, most especially for women and our daughters. 

This post is a call to the ones who read this, you know who you are, and you must understand that if you aren't willing to be truthful with yourself and be an example (a real example, not the Instagram polished toxic positivity version), you cannot be honest with others. 

Before closing this post, I'm going to caveat for a moment. I am by no means saying you shouldn't try and be positive; I am more than happy to at nausea announce I am the first person to tout Take Joy and optimism, but not at the expense of never allowing the world (my friends) to know who I truly am. There is the element of vulnerability and self-trust that must be present in a woman that is essential in being a person one can admire and, at best, listen to. The world and the cottage core community on Instagram need more women willing to be open and share their real life. Look at anyone with a terrific pull in our world, such as Taylor Swift. I'm not necessarily a swifty, but I respect her for her massive fan base because she learned how to capitalise on her brand. She is incredibly innovative, and she knew how to move people to love her, and their commitment to remain devoted to her even decades later is astounding. She doesn't have to do much promotion, if any; why, because her fans promote and advertise for her.

The secret is she gets personal and lets these women into her life. She allows herself to be vulnerable and show her real life, which creates a deep connection with those who love her. She will have an album review party and invite fans into her home, or if someone tweets her, she will arrive at their wedding and sing. In her songs, she writes with a proper amount of openness. She's a mastermind in this area. She knew what leads to dedicated fans way before anyone else. This conception is why she is so beloved, and folks wonder why; it is that she knows how to touch the hearts of women. If we touch their hearts and move them to change to be the greatest version of themselves, they will also want that for us. That is how universal law works; two-fold, good karma, if you will. 

One might have the numbers, but if women look at their numbers as equal to loyalty, they will eventually be disappointed. I hope these women will begin recognising that a tick on a reel or a like on a photo does not equate to the real depth and connection with the ladies who follow them. Suppose we do not put ourselves out there in camaraderie. Women must feel an emotional connection and bond with one another; otherwise, it's all smoke and mirrors. 

I suppose having written this entire 3,320-word post has done good, for it's solidified for me that I will carry the torch myself because, as I've always taught here, we cannot make someone change, therefore what I can do is be the woman I wish to see on my Instagram feed and the world. My employment and yours, my dear hearts, is to be responsible for one's emotions and recognise that our Inner Being is leading us to an ocean of understanding ourselves if we choose to listen. Are you a willing participant? My dear mermaid hearts, if we abandon our schemes of jealousy, I conscientiously believe we will expand by leaps and bounds, and all of our dreams will come to us easily and effortlessly.

I love you beyond measure. Toodle-Pip darlings!

Most affably, yours til my next swim, Lady Rxxx (or you can call me Razz for short.) 

Faith, Hope, Love and Good Luck And Lady Raquel's Revelations On Friendship

Channel the royal spirit, my dears! 

"Of all the bonds that exist between people, perhaps the sweetest is the bond of friendship. For it is born not of duty or blood ties but out of sheer delight in another." 

Indeed If you see the post title, I have, from this point forward, created a little something called "Raquel's Revelations" it is similar to what The Pioneer Woman calls "Ree's Confessionals." Another secret element from the book Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon is to steal from everyone who peeks one's interest at every chance you get. However, may I take it a step further? One must not just steal from one person; we must steal from everyone and make it our own, which makes for originality; otherwise, stealing from only one person is considered a copycat imitation. Here is a lovely page from Steal Like An Artist to differentiate the two thefts. 

Did you know that I take the extra step of jotting down posts for thee ole' blog by penning the post by hand and thereafter typing it into my "online diary?" The posts are much better written than if I were to type them out. Trust me, I've made an effort for it, and they sound dusty and not nearly as promising. I'm attempting to get out of my own way when it pertains to creating content, which reminds me, did you perchance see my latest video on ye ol' YouTube? Here's the link if you'd like to watch it. Also, for my patrons, I wrote a very personal post on Patreon, and that link is here. 

I've spent the last nine days or so convalescing as I detected no severe illness, but upon further investigation, I realised I caught Bronchitis; it wasn't a terrible bit, but enough to render me the stamina to edit or find photos for thee olde blog. I terribly missed writing to you, my darling sweet Stillwater Petticoat Society. 

Allow me to get on; for now, I am perfectly sound. 

I wasn't energetic on St. Patricks Day, as I was not feeling much up to any sort of constructive occupation. Oh, in my heart of hearts, I was so excited to take on several projects, yet my body was calling for rest, and thus, I rendered the desire to lean into my physical needs. I think it's quite crucial for us as Mermaids (women) to listen to our landlocked bodies and adhere to what our higher spiritual Goddess self is attempting to relay to us. Too often, we ignore our bodies' many cries and wind up paying a higher price. Hence my being brought to my bed once again, bedridden. I do understand we as women often have no other choice depending upon our circumstances; however, if we do have those opportunities to take advantage of repair and restoration, we truly must learn to accept the help and be glad in it. I mention this imparting of advice for I remember being a young mother, and the rationale I so leniently gave into was not inquiring for assistance or receiving help (although I desperately required it). I was entirely too self-conscious in rural attempts to remain externally "perfect" as if I could abide all of my required endeavours with grace, ease and delight of my own accord, although I was drowning in overwhelm. One must attune to the times, my dear hearts. Endeavouring to be and do everything for everyone never leads to anything edifying although we may believe we appear indestructible, this is not so. I was on a course of self-destruction, all to please others and assist in making their lives as comfortable as possible by giving way to allowances to everyone but myself. Reducing our personal womanly needs will undoubtedly and markedly cause grey beneath our caps at an early onset. (Heh...) Whereas my insecurities did propel me to become entirely self-reliant, they created a barrier between myself and other women. It is hard to be friendless in the hour of need and bitter to be alone at the moment of reckoning, for friendship itself is the sharing of truths. Today I would tell my younger self that it's perfectly lovely and wonderful to allow other women or relations and friends to swoop in and help us when the occasion warrants. This incident is widely distinct from taking advantage of the help; that's another story entirely. 

I've not been on Instagram stories, as I am experimenting with using cell food drops and tea tree oil to remove the two small moles on my face. I have a small one beside my nose and a small one beneath my cheek and chin. They haven't ever truly bothered me to the degree that I must have them gone; however, I wanted to see if what I've been reading about in molecular enzymes is true. What better way than to research me? I've stressed to you many o' times I am a guinea pig for experimentation. It's working; they are nearly gone entirely. In the first few days, I had to place a little flesh-coloured plaster (bandaid) on to avoid scratching them. Are you that way? If it's peeling away dry skin, I seem to keep my hands constantly fiddling and touching. I remember a lass in high school who loved to peel our friend's dead skin from our sunburns. Peculiar heh? The bizarre of growing up in Florida. 

I've been holding myself accountable each day (Monday thru Friday) to reinforce my endurance skills to remain beholden to responsibilities with releasing Sawyer's book The Tale of Sawyer Lamb by his birthday, June 8, 2023. I realise I've shared all sorts of days in regards to releasing books this there and the tenth with you, dear hearts and oftentimes failed to produce; however, I admittedly confess to grappling with turning up every day. I am changing this trait about myself this go-round as I understand it was a slight fear I had attached to my limiting beliefs of abandonment and not feeling heard. (In my next video for youtube, I am sharing a detailed video about this topic. I look forward to your visit over there. Here is the link to my YouTube if you'd like to subscribe.) Yes, ma'am, another abandonment and self-worth belief for dear ole' Raquel. Is that not how it operates, though? One must not feel the pressures of revealing one's inadequacies, for we all have redeeming qualities and unfortunate self-destructive limiting traits too. The fortitude and boldness in self-acceptance are when we are more equipped to rectify such measures making us as beautiful mermaids (women) all the more influential for our daughters and others for which to be examples.

We travel the world in and out and one belief or maybe two, and there is a running tune with all of our other beliefs at play with a similar trend. The beliefs that I had to arduously toil at creating new beliefs for (and listening at night), (if you haven't guessed) were abandonment, distrust, respect and low self-worth. These battles are why I beat the dead horse here on ye olde blog, as it is my solemn desire to assist others. I wish to help inspire women to gather the passion for changing their lives themselves to achieve all of their dreams (by leading them back to themselves), which is self-love, the most tremendous force on earth. I deeply love and care about you (my dear hearts) more than you can speculate, which is why I apply quite a bit of grit to this online literary diet. It may seem harsh at times; however, I sincerely believe in tough love. I wouldn't care about you or anyone in this big blue marble if I didn't say what I mean with the confidence and hope to lead one to the alter of their own higher consciousness. I mean it with deep empathy and love for others, as I do not apply for favour but to encourage personal power and love. It is quite similar to raising my children. I did not position myself to be my children's "friend" but to be their mother. I am here to lead one to themselves, not for pedestal worship nor idolisation but to direct folks to know of their own divine worth. 

The new week will comprise of additionally organising the rabbit room and more cleaning, and packing unused things to deliver to the charity shoppe next week. I'm creating a pile. My dear Sir Oliver Twisty Topsy passed away after my birthday on February 28, 2023. I was indeed heart-stricken as Oliver helped me on many occasions through my life in the last eight years, such as when I went through my divorce and then when Sawyer died; he helped me to heal, and aside from those catastrophic life events, he was my first real dream come true that my childlike spirit personified. He was the sweetest little quiet companion I ever did have. Two weeks ago, I dropped him off at the taxidermy (Morgue Made) for pets, and he will be back home in June, the same week Sawyer's book comes out. I am very excited. I am planning a small coronation party in May, are you? I am painting a little banner with the King. I'll post it when I am finished and you can print it off to use if you're planning a little celebration as well. 

I'll write a small post about it closer to the date. I am also planning a small book launch party here at the cottage with my family and Stillwater. (Have you signed up on my pop-up email? It is where you shall receive infrequent emails from me about bits happening dubbed "Sybrenas Sparrow.") I am considering having a little live-stream tea party on youtube. What do you think? Doesn't that sound delightful? Let me know in the comments if that sounds like something fun we could do together as friends. I want to continue creating our community, Stillwater—A Petticoat Society. A few classes I also have planned in the summer are quilting, a mermaid's map and a canning gathering (all courses for women.) I've had numerous women email me wanting to participate. How delightfully exciting! Please sign up for emails to remain informed, as it is good for a woman to be freshly occupied. Thank you, dear friends. 

Most affably, yours til my next swim, Lady Raquel

The Currents Are Changing {A Change To My Blog Is Coming}

Last week I had a meltdown, not in the way you'd think, and not for the reason you would think, either. 

This post will be a bit of a prattling session that my dear olde American borne British speaking heart has needed to share for some time coming, and I fear I won't stop chatting from now on out. 

Have you ever had those moments in your life when someone you love (tells you the complete truth) and your spirit is ready to receive it? That happened to me, and it has caused a significant shift within. My life, career, and as we (together) advance, I will embrace my stories and what I share on this here ol' blog (which will be nearly everything.) 

I have so many stories built up inside of me, and I've always held back, and some things I've wanted to say, but the time didn't seem to be right or, to be quite honest, I was afraid of what it would cause to others. I am now ready to share what has been welling up within me for years. The truth is (when my dearest friend said the most heartfelt things to me) I cried with such a gutted force, and for the first time in my life, I didn't try to fix it, make a silly joke to counteract the pain, I remained in the feeling. She (my friend) doesn't know her impact on me. Thank you, Tracey; I love you, dear heart. 

This post is letting you, my dear friends and readers, know how much I love you and that you can expect this blog to be changing extraordinarily, and I couldn't be more jolly about it. 

I've always told you, of all the media outlets, such as social media, my blog remains my little world of happiness, and for me to remain true to myself, I must spread my wings and allow my soul to spill out, to write as if I'm dying. I will be sharing more of my beloved gardener, my children, family, love stories, experiences, home decor, spirituality, what's happening on the farm, my books getting published, etc., more of everything. I now have archived my YouTube channel, podcast, Pinterest and closed out Twitter and Facebook. The only place to follow me is on Instagram, this ole blog, and of course purchasing my books. It's the most exciting time of my life, and I could not be 'Taking Joy' more if I tried. I have so many books within me, and I've been feverishly writing, and I am so excited to share them with you. 

Have any of you ever had that happen? It's a random breakdown from somewhere you'd never have thought, but it's just the tonic your heart needed to create a change within you. Please say yes. 

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx