Hi, I’m Barbie. Yes, Barbie, I know. (My given name is Barbara Ellen named for my mom’s sister and grandmother. So Barbie was Barb E. and now if you call me Barbara I feel like I am in trouble.) WELCOME to this space. A virtual mailbox and telephone and table to visit with you and the world. I have loved words for as long as I can remember. Over the past few years there has been a nudge to write them and share them. And finally I have listened to it. I love learning but I am also good at dragging my feet. And then the universe gently pushes me a little further into the pose than I think I am capable of and I catch on. I also love Mary Oliver’s words, “Instructions for life: pay attention, be amazed, tell about it.” And that is what I intend to do here. There are so many tiny postcards and huge billboards and everything in between to catch our attention and pave the way. An ongoing scavenger hunt of breadcrumbs that make for a gorgeous adventure. Witnessing the good news and asking the everyday questions.
A few things that contribute to my recipe: I am an empty nester (yikes! and yay! depending on the day) and recent new resident of Richmond, VA with my husband Andrew. We have two sons, Jack and Andy, that still visit the nest from time to time. I still miss our sweet senior dog Mocha who is here in spirit. And the apartment quite quiet. Some key ingredients are people, words, stories, and God. I also love bakeries, having worked for one for many years. My friends and family support my bakery tour perspective wherever we roam. Music is magic. I think in lyrics quite often. Miracles and light are everywhere. I am a firm believer that they are in us, around us, and always waiting to happen. Life is messy. And that is half the gorgeous fun.
I love that we can be here together. Here’s to our ongoing conversations and discoveries. Everything has a message.
xo, b
