Reflections from the Red Kayak “Each new year is a surprise to us. We find that we had virtually forgotten the note of each bird, and when we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream, reminding us of a previous state of existence. The voice of nature is always encouraging.” […]
A New Year Has Begun… Read More »
Reflections from the Red Kayak The shore was kissed, by sea and mist, tenderly… The picture below I call a snow flower. Little branches of a tree on a shore, its sharp edges are softly covered by mist in a shimmering glow of snow and ice. One of nature’s beautiful creations. Slowly, gently, tenderly, winter
Paddlin’ on… tenderly… Read More »
Reflections from the Red Kayak “The leaves are perfectly ripe. I wonder if there is any answering ripeness in the lives of the men who live beneath them.” Henry David Thoreau, Autumnal Tints My dear friend Amy sent me Thoreau’s book, Autumnal Tints. It is considered his classic essay on the colors of fall, and
Aurora Borealis on the Water Read More »
Saturday, September 3, 7:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. Marywood Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae Facilitator: Author and Kayaker Mary Anne Smrz “Change: Our Ever-Present Companion” is the theme of this retreat. Mary Anne takes cancer survivors and their caregivers on the water for a much-needed “pause,” to allow time and space to reconnect with self and nature and a
Healing on the Water: Cancer Survivors’ and Caregivers Kayak Retreat Read More »
Reflections from the Red Kayak “Life isn’t about finding yourself; it’s about creating yourself.” Henry David Thoreau Author I love paddling with a purpose. Sometimes, the purpose is simply to head out onto the water and enjoy the beauty of nature. Other times, I like the time on the water to have more depth and
Reflections from the Red Kayak “Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows.” Henry David Thoreau Author Greetings from the Red Kayak! It is amazing how quickly time passes and how long it has been since I have sent out a reflection. My life has been flowing in wonderful, adventurous
THE RED ORNAMENT OF TRUTH Happy New Year! As I re-read my holiday message from last year, I reflected on my 2021 word, MIRACLES. In addition to countless, daily, small blessings, there were so many poignant MIRACLES this past year. I would like to share a few of those with you. As I work on
The Red Ornament of Truth Read More »
Reflections from the Red Kayak “As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos…” Henry David Thoreau, Walden The season of spring is a beautiful gift. A time when everything emerges from winter’s darkness to begin again. The frozen
Gift for those in Need Read More »
Early in 2020, I entered my third book, Change: Our Ever-Present Companion, Reflections from the Red Kayak, in the 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Although the book did not win, it received the highest marks for structure, organization, cover design, voice and writing style, among other things. Below is the judge’s commentary. I am honored to receive
Judge’s Commentary Read More »
Reflections from the Red Kayak “Not until we are lost, do we find ourselves again” Henry David Thoreau Author I intended to write this piece about being uprooted a while ago. But I didn’t. Why? Because I have allowed the tumultuous, external events of the year to cloud my focus. How about you? Henry David
