Fantasy Vacation #2

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

If you missed my post about Fantasy Vacation #1, you can read it here!

Fantasy Vacation #2: Because of my involvement with The WilliamGlasser Institute I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure to travel to the east coast of Australia, several cities in Canada, Croatia, England, Ireland, Scotland and Slovenia. I’ve also visited Italy and stopped in Switzerland on these travels.

My fantasy vacation would start with a month in Ireland. I’d stay at the AshfordCastle, drive around The Ring of Kerry, spend time at New Grange and tour Galway and Waterford crystal factories.

Since I have a great-great grandmother who came from Ireland, I’d spend some time researching my Irish roots. Oh, and I’d love to spend a few hours or a day at an Irish stud farm and see some races. Traveling on to Northern Ireland, I’d tour Belfast and the Belleek Factory.

I’ve never been to Wales so I’d rectify that next. I’d take a week to explore the areas where, according to legend, Merlin’s cave is. I know I’d love the rugged coast line, villages and I’d have fun trying to pronounce the names of towns and landmarks in the old language.

Glastonbury Tor

On to England. A week in Glastonbury with side trips to Avebury’s stone circle. Just sitting by The Chalice Well for as long as I wanted would be amazing (I’ve been there but as I was on a tour, my time was limited).

My ancestor, Edward Rawson arrived at Plymouth Rock on the first ship after the Mayflower. He came from Gillingham, England. Exploring my English roots would be fun (although, truth be told, I’m not Celtic/English as much as I am Northern European which means my ancestors came to England in 1066 with William The Conquerer.

One entrance to Rosslyn
Chapel - 2009

Now to Scotland: I’ve been there before and went on tours of castles and Loch Ness. What I want is to spend the day (or most of it) at Rosslyn Chapel. I felt an energy when I visited there in 2008 that I’d like to explore.

On now to Croatia and Slovenia. Beautiful countries. A week at the seaside in Rijeka, Croatia and another one at Portaroz, Slovenia. I’d love to go to Zagreb (Croatia's capital) and also down the coastline to the ancient city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. When I was first there, the Balkan War raged and that drive was dangerous. Can I find the small restaurant in the hills with the wonderful potato wine (no sulfites)? I’d make the effort to do so…and send a case home! 

My time in Slovenia would end with a few days in Bled. When Zagreb was bombed and we were ordered out of Croatia, the Glasser group I was with spent a few days in this idyllic setting before heading home.

What’s so much fun about a fantasy is we can make it anything we want. So in this at least 10 – 12 week dream vacation, I have a driver so I can go where I want and stay as long (or short) as I want without worrying about a tour bus leaving me behind (did that once while in Australia and that was one time too many)!

I’d stay in Castles and comfortable, friendly Bed and Breakfasts on my travels. Of course the food would be fantastic and I’d never gain a pound. And, since this is my fantasy, I think I’ll go by charter private jet and by-pass those long security lines.

Coming with me?

Although my first love is writing Contemporary Romance or Romantic Women’s Fiction, I’ve also ventured into writing non-fiction. My first book, Staying Sane in a Crazy World is available at your favorite e-retailer. 

Do you ever feel as if the world around you is tumbling out of control and there is nothing you can do to make your world a better place?

Do you ever wish there was?

Staying Sane in a Crazy World may help guide you toward stopping the tumbling and choosing how to take effective control of your life.

The reality is there is no One answer that fits all but we each have Our answer.

In this short guide, Judith Ashley leads you through a straight-forward process that allows you to find Your answers. Answers you’ll use to craft a Personal Staying Sane Plan that will help you regain and keep your balance whenever the world around you is out-of-whack.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

 © 2018 Judith Ashley

My Favorite Long Time Friends

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

One of the songs I find myself singing or humming is from The Sound of Music “These Are A Few of My Favorite Things.” Since my February theme was about things I love, I am taking a bit of license to change this out to “These are a few of my Favorite People.”

This post is bittersweet. I’ve two long-time friends, women who’ve been a part of my life for decades. Michele and I’ve been friends well-over forty years. Judith and I are coming up on the thirty-eight years from when we met.

Although both have been integral parts of my life for years, one now has significant memory loss. Judith and I met in July 1980 in Houston, TX at The William Glasser Institute conference. She still remembers me but so many of our shared adventures as well as some of her own traumatic life events are lost to her.

Hell, Cayman Islands

Bled, Slovenia

No longer does she remember our adventures in The Cayman Islands (we went to Hell), nor does she remember our trips to Croatia and Slovenia much less our driving tour in Ireland (3 flat tires). If I bring up our time in Ireland in 1994, she does seem to remember bits and pieces. However, it isn’t a memory she brings up on her own. Even some of our 1980 memories are gone like our trip to Hell and killing a cockroach in a definitive and no nonsense manner.

Shocked? That was me. I’d never seen a cockroach and actually am responsible for its death because I asked her to come see what bug was in the bathtub. My peace-loving, quiet, staid friend had her shoe off and whacked that bug until it was smashed. Then she washed it down the drain.

I’d never seen her raise her voice much less engage in an act of violence before then and I’ve seen nothing like that since. My memory of that event brings a smile to my face. We had some good times!

One of our favorite views

My longest time friend is Michele. I met her through another friend at the time. We’ve survived ups and downs, ins and outs but our friendship remains strong. I think it’s because of the shared experiences in those early days. We loved going to the Oregon Coast for the day or a weekend. We attended a series of Personal Growth Workshops. She spent the night at my house because there was so much to talk over, so many perceptions to share about the activities. Even now, that time frequently pops up in our conversations.

All relationships that last over forty years have their challenges and ours has not been immune to them. We were both single when we met although I was a single parent. The year we were so involved in the Personal Growth workshops, he spent the school year with his dad. We've shared a similar spiritual path.

She married. I didn’t.

She moved. I didn’t.

We both worked, changed jobs and supported each other through the difficulties that come when working in mental health and social services. We both understood and understand that humans are capable of boundless generosity and unfathomable cruelty.

Buffalo is the middle drum

One of my favorite memories of Michele is when we made our buffalo hide drums. By the time we were through our fingers were red, swollen puffy appendages on red, swollen hands. Most of our drums we made together and some, like buffalo, are from the same hide.

Both of these women have transformed my life in so many ways. Their unflagging support through all my ups and downs, their encouragement as I delved into writing fiction and now non-fiction and their unconditional love has made my life’s journey easier.

Who do you have in your life that has “been there” for you no matter what?

My first non-fiction book, Staying Sane in a Crazy World is available at your favorite e-retailer. By following the simple process outlined in this book, you can create your own personal staying sane plan when the world around you goes crazy.

Do you ever feel as if the world around you is tumbling out of control and
there is nothing you can do to make your world a better place?

Do you ever wish there was?

Staying Sane in a Crazy World may help guide you toward stopping the tumbling and choosing how to take effective control of your life.

The reality is there is no One answer that fits all but we each have Our answer.

In this short guide, Judith Ashley leads you through a straight-forward process that allows you to find Your answers. Answers you’ll use to craft a Personal Staying Sane Plan that will help you regain and keep your balance whenever the world around you is out-of-whack.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley

A Month of Love: Flowers

Black/Blue Salvia

Armisted salvia

We’ve have some very warm temperatures recently and I see the signs of spring. My violets are profusely blooming as is my rosemary. The distinctive aroma of Daphne fills the air when I step out on my porch.

New growth from the mint along the fence is visible. It won’t be long before I’m loading geraniums and fuchsias into the trunk of my car. And I’ll be looking for my Armistad and Black & Blue Salvia to sprout.

Fuchsias and Geraniums

Clematis

I will also be looking for one or maybe two new clematis plants. There was a mix-up and some “kill it dead” spray meant for my neighbor’s laurel hedge that didn’t quite get taken all the way out (at least not on my side of the fence she put up) drifted on to at least one if not both of my prized clematis.

Why prized? Because while I love this plant I’ve not been particularly successful in growing them.

Sitting at my computer, looking into my yard with the hummingbirds flitting around the plants is inspiring. I love the color against the carport storage area and fence.

In summer our days have gotten so hot, I do not spend time on my back decks enjoying the yard up close and personal but through my windows I have a panorama of visual delight.

When you read my books you’ll see I include flowers and gardens.

In Lily, she looks out over the view from Eleanor’s windows at the winter garden and the tall Douglas fir beyond. While the garden itself is a figment of my imagination, from my office windows I see the Douglas firs a couple blocks away.

Fuchsias are featured in Elizabeth. One of my fondest memories of driving around Ireland were the plethora of one of my favorite flowers growing wild along the roads.

I’ve included pictures from my garden.

Enjoy!!!

And, to get you started

Your free copy of Lily: The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl is waiting for you.

Go to JudithAshleyRomance.com and sign up for my occasional newsletter“Connections.”

Follow the prompts to download your own digital copy of the first book in The Sacred Women’s Circle series.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley

A Favorite Scene from "Elizabeth"

Judith is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

I’m doing something a bit different this month by sharing favorite scenes from at least the first two books in the series Lily and Elizabeth. Last week, my favorite scene from the New Year’s Eve chapter was published. Today I’m sharing part of Sacred Space chapter. Let me know what you think and if you’d like to see this a regular feature!

Elizabeth is in Ireland and Michael’s stud farm. They have had a falling out and these are the first steps in finding their way back to each other.

Michael was hot, tired, and dirty when he came through the kitchen door. He’d mucked out stalls, hauled hay and bags of oats, and worked his horses all in an effort to forget the beguiling woman in his house. It’d been three days since he found Elizabeth unconscious, since his heart stopped, since his confrontation with The Lady.

Although She’d been quiet, he knew better than to think She’d given up. She was biding her time, waiting for the right time to come forth again. She was the spirit of this place, as old as time. She was energy manifested in the ancient blue robe of the sacred feminine, the Goddess. No, he was certain She hadn’t given up.

From the kitchen he strode down the hall to the back stairs leading up to his quarters. He desperately needed a shower, clean clothes and something to eat - in that order. Thirty minutes later he was showered, shaved, dressed, descending the main staircase for the last item on his list: to satisfy his hunger.

He noticed something different about the place, as he moved down the main staircase the tips of his fingers trailing along the smooth finish of the banister. Before he could identify what that difference was he heard Elizabeth singing.
“She’s been waiting … .”

The purity of her sweet voice, the words of the old song held Michael transfixed.
“ … to return.”

Michael remained standing on the bottom step listening to the words of a song he’d not heard in over a year, not since Shannon had left.

“ … alone.” She drew out the last word, her voice caressing the last note.
Silence.

Michael stood in the stillness, his heart beating rapidly. What if we … “No,” he muttered harshly to himself. “No,” he cursed under his breath. He stepped down the final riser to the tiled floor, his boots echoing in the large hall.

She was standing in the doorway to the front parlor, her hair tied back in a blue ribbon he was sure matched the blue of her eyes. A long dark blue skirt swirled around her bare ankles. Even though her hair was tied back, strands had escaped. Fascinated he watched her hand brush the inky tangles away, tuck them behind her ears. The indifference he’d managed the past three days, that is once the panic had dissipated and he knew she’d recover, dissolved in a rush of unrequited lust. His blood surged, his arousal stiffen.

A look of uncertainty marred her features, hesitancy her movements. She’s changed, flashed through his mind, but he couldn’t put his finger on how she was different. He stood staring at this woman, realizing he cared for her not just about her, cared far more than he wanted to. Hell and damnation. Now what, boyo?

Elizabeth’s senses were caressed by the sandalwood scent wafting across the space. His blue-black hair, still damp from his shower, showed the ridges where he’d combed it. To her, he looked spectacular: tall, dark, and handsome as sin.

Outwardly she remained still under his unrepentant gaze, inwardly a cascade of nerves sizzled. Her gaze steadfast, she straightened her spine, lifted her chin, and took a few steps away from the doorway.

“Hi, Michael, how was your day? How is Brian Boru?” Elizabeth said her voice not as soothing as she’d hoped. Her heart fluttered, her face flushed with heat, and her palms dampened.

From the moment she’d been aware of his presence, Elizabeth had scrutinized his every move and saw the subtle signs of his nervousness. Smiling, she stopped a few feet in front of him.

Michael was mesmerized by her gently swaying hips, her bare feet gliding over the floor. Her scent of bergamot and the indefinable something surrounded him, filled his senses. Her mouth, those luscious warm kissable lips were moving, were saying something. He shook his head.

“…mind, Michael. I can take them down, if you do.”

He cleared his throat, ran his tongue inside his now very dry mouth, “Sorry, Elizabeth, I didn’t catch all that you were saying.” His mouth stretched in a caricature of a smile.

“I was saying that if you mind, I’ll take the altars down. I put one up here,” she said and gestured to the table to his right, “and one is now in the front parlor. I wanted something to do and thought of creating a specific point of sacredness within each room. Would you like to see them before you make up your mind?”

At his terse nod, she moved to stand by the main hall altar. “As your life here at The Manor revolves around horses, I used them on this altar.

As you can see, I put the bronze of the foal in the East as that direction represents new beginnings, spring, birth. The mare is in the South to stand for abundance. I put the jumper in the West as that is the void and from the meets, I now know that the jumper doesn’t know what is on the other side of the jump. It’s like they are jumping into the void and it is their trust of the rider that allows this miracle to happen. I’m not sure what the significance is of the stallion in the North. It was the only place left so I just trusted that it was the right place for him to be.”

“Suleiman.” Michael reached out to stroke the bronze stallion reared on its hind legs. “This is Suleiman, the stud that built this place, the ancestor of Brian Boru.”

“Then Suleiman is in the right place,” Elizabeth’s voice was soft, she touched his sleeve with her hand. “Are you all right with this altar, here, in this space, Michael?”

His voice wasn’t steady so he remained silent, looking at the altar she’d created from bronze statues, stones, and a crystal bowl. Energy flowed from it. Welcoming and powerful, like being at the races with his horses pounding down the course, straining with purpose for the finish line, focused on the love of running. Their beauty, grace, and power were like an aphrodisiac, beckoning him to indulge in the glory of the win, endorphins taking him higher into the light of joy.

His voice was brusque, “It’s fine where it is.” He started for the door to the hallway that led to the kitchens. “I’m hungry. I’m going to see what Seamus has for dinner.” He called back over his shoulder as he kept going, “Are you coming?”

***

Elizabeth remained by the altar. He’d been affected by it. The main clue was when he’d absent-mindedly stroked Suleiman. She pressed a hand to her unsettled stomach. I miss him more than I can say and I’ve not even left for Fremont. Catching herself up short she reminded herself this line of thinking wasn’t useful. I’m hungry and dinner is waiting. The right time to talk to him will present itself. She looked at the wall beyond which lay the Sacred Grove and The Lady. Trust The Lady. She brought you here for a purpose. Trust. “Trust,” she murmured and started after him.

Your free digital copy of the first four chapters of Elizabeth: The Lady and The Sacred Grove are available here.

Go to JudithAshleyRomance.com and sign up for my occasional newsletter “Connections.” 

Follow the prompts to download your own digital copy of Lily: The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl the first book in The Sacred Women’s Circle series.

Learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB!

© Excerpt from Elizabeth 2014 - Judith Ashley

Meet Lily, Elizabeth and Diana

Judith is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

Over the next three Mondays you are going to meet the women who created their own sacred women's circle.

This week meet Lily Renee Langdon Hughes, Elizabeth Mary Magdalen Elliott and Diana Louise Richards Pettybone.

Lily: The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl

Terror ratchets up Lily’s PTSD symptoms. Hypervigilance during the day. Nightmares in the dark. If she doesn’t do something different, she’ll lose her mind and maybe even her son.

What happens to us when we blame ourselves for choices we made that turn out to haunt us? How can we trust ourselves to make the right decision now? Where can we find the strength and support we need to confront our past and seek our future?

You can learn more about The Creation of Lily here. And where did The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl come from? Your hint: Lily has always been sensitive to the vibrations around her, especially from the land. Her gift is her ability to visualize the protective energy of the land on which she stands.

Elizabeth: The Lady and The Sacred Grove

Visions of The Lady haunt Elizabeth’s dreams. What does The Lady want? “Come be with me. Find me.” How? As the messages become a nightly experience, Elizabeth’s desire to travel to Ireland and find The Lady becomes an obsession.

What happens when your childhood dreams come true? What happens when your heart and your soul are on opposite sides of the world?

Learn more about Ireland and Elizabeth here. Read that short piece and you’ll know why the subtitle is The Lady and The Sacred Grove.

But what is Elizabeth’s special spiritual gift?

Her ability to create sacred space from simple, everyday objects.

Diana: The Queen of Swords and The Knight of Pentacles

Jealousy flares when Diana faces the reality that her marriage is not and never will be based on unconditional love. If she can’t rein in the green-eyed monster, she’ll lose the only truly safe haven she’s ever known.

How do you find your true self after decades of molding yourself into other people’s expectations? What must happen before you can accept someone else’s unconditional love?

My journey in writing Diana is a bit different. Learn how different in Diana, The Tarot and Me.

If you know anything about The Tarot you’ll understand more deeply the subtitle: The Queen of Swords and The Knight of Pentacles. Even if you don’t understand The Tarot, you’ll know much more when you finish Diana.

Sign up for Connections, my newsletter, and download a free e-copy of Lily.

Learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Follow Judith on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB!

Shield of Life

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

In 1994 I attended a William Glasser Conference in Dublin, Ireland. There I met colleagues from the Balkans. The Balkan War was raging and their once peaceful lives were in chaos. When asked what The William Glasser Institute could do, they said they needed support.

Funds were donated and used to purchase diapers and formula and other necessities like soap and shampoo that were in short supply.

A group of us went a step further and organized a small conference on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in Rijeka, Croatia. We paid our own way and raised additional monies to put on the conference for those who could come. In addition we volunteered to lead workshops and provide whatever counseling services were needed. Our group was received by the Mayor of Rijeka, one of our members was interviewed on a national radio program. A highlight was the evening the government minister for prisoners of war and torture victims spoke to us.

Shield of Life

I had a chance conversation with a professor at the local University. He invited me to speak to one of his classes. I also led a group discussion with a small group of women who’d braved Serbian fire as they drove from their homes in Dubrovnik (that had been bombed that morning) up the Dalmatian Coast to the conference. What an honor that was!

When Zagreb, the capitol of Croatia, was bombed (we were about 50 miles away), I went to breakfast and found colleagues I’d had dinner with were missing. No one talked about where they were. They’d just vanished—called back to the war.

That morning we were also ordered to leave the country. That was difficult but knowing that our being there actually put them at more risk than if we left. We were an easy target and to kill ten US, Canadian, Irish citizens along with Croatians who were leaders in their country was tempting.

The Mayor sent his van and driver to take us across the border into Slovenia and on to Bled. Traveling through border check points where the guards were armed was an event I’ll never forget. We were in Bled for a couple of days waiting until our flights back home left.

Sitting in an airport waiting for a flight with military tanks on the runway, armed soldiers carrying automatic rifles patrolling the concourse—I’d never had any of those experiences.

When I reached my home I was compelled to do something more.

Shield of Life with added feathers

Because of that trip I’m very aware of how quickly deep and abiding relationships can form in times of trial. I still hold in my heart many of the people I met over two decades ago. I still feel an instant connection when I see any of them at conferences. One of my favorite experiences was at the Edinburgh, Scotland conference when most of the women I’d met in Croatia were there. Tears of joy, of gratitude on both sides—they’d rebuilt those lives that had been so traumatically disrupted.

This is my Circle or Shield of Life. While the flowers are silk, everything else is natural (well, actually the silk flowers are made from the spinning of silk worms). Feathers do not always survive and so I've added two feathers before taking this picture. The black feather in the upper right quadrant is one I picked up in Scotland in 2008. What's magical is that when I got home, there was the exact same feather by my driveway. In fact this might even be that feather instead of the one from Scotland!

What life altering event have you undergone?

How has it changed who you are?

What have you done to honor that experience and that transformation?

You can learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

I’m also on Facebook

© 2016 Judith Ashley