I can see how this vibrant city comes alive on summer nights - lots of people with their dogs and kids, live music in the park, world-famous donuts. Dundee and the McManus Museum are wonderful!

Built in the 1400s, this Manchester landmark started as a baron's home, then became a seminary for priests, switching back and forth between Catholic and Protestant uses depending on the religion of the reigning monarch. Humphrey Chetham, a wealthy businessman, tried to purchase the property but couldn't manage it in his lifetime - his estate bought it after his death and created a school for poor boys. The library came later, for scholars who had studied at Oxford but had no means of continuing their education when they returned home to the North. Walking through it, I was reminded of how knowledge and education have long been kept from "ordinary" people and reserved for men of wealth and status. It's better today, but this oppression still exists. Chetham believed education was the answer to poverty - but only for boys born in wedlock. Never girls.

The closest green space, where we can find quiet, grass and trees, is a giant cemetery right next door, so Barron and I walk there a lot. We've also been to Chorlton Park and the River Mersey. I ventured out on my own to wander the neighborhood, and one day took buses and trams to nearby Altrincham, a darling market town. Manchester, UK so far.

While working on my 2025 Vision Board, I came across this collection of photos from the last decade: rituals, readings, altars, ritual elements. I found it really beautiful and wanted to share. Maybe you'll be inspired in your own spiritual practice. Loving the beauty and freshness of a new calendar year! Happy 2025!

I never got around to sharing photos from one of my walks along the Thames, and it felt like these two journeys could go together. There is a darkness to winter here that sometimes feels like more than the scarcity of sunlight. The River Mersey in Manchester on December 27, people out walking and being together despite the gloom and damp. Then the River Thames near Oxford, a short walk from an affluent neighborhood, where people are living on boats or in makeshift tents in the woods. It's a lot to think about. Shelter, food, health, love.

A random one, this, from a late-blooming rose on my way out of Oxford, to the darling little Cockapoos who were my special friends in Royal Leamington Spa, along with two sweet kitties. I didn't explore much of Leamington Spa but we did find a wonderful old cemetery. I love roaming these, especially in northern England, always with my eye out for a family name: Brock, Howard, Osborne, Foster. I haven't found any yet, but you never know. Now I'm in Manchester with this super sweet old guy, Barron. He's a Podenco rescue from Spain and reminds me of a young deer. Settled in for a long winter visit. Happy Holidays 2024!

My stay in Oxford is short but full of wonder. My temporary home is right on the River Thames. Gorgeous. Oxford is lovely and diverse, and the museums are incredible. The Museum of Natural History gets a mention here, and I tried to capture the vast collection at the Pitt Rivers Museum. A must-see for any adventurer. As soon as I entered, I realized I know almost nothing in comparison to all there is to know. And of course, my sweet charges. Loving cats, thriving in their river home.

My new friend Franny takes me somewhere new at least once a week. This day we went to Grange-over-Sands, a fabulous Victorian-era seaside village, then had drinks with friends at a local pub in Silverdale called Woody's (short for The Woodlands). Bertie and I also stopped into the Wheatsheaf Pub on our street for a British ale and some company on a rainy Sunday. Rural Britain is wonderful. And I learned something: British beer isn't actually warm. It's just not chilled. Coming straight from a cold cellar, it's nowhere near warm. Quite nice, actually.

The forecast was calling for snow so we stayed nearby and visited friends around the village of Silverdale. In all of these villages, there are beautiful, ancient forest walks just outside the door. It was a magnificent day.

This is the coolness and gorgeousness we get to see just taking a walk around the block. The walk we take when there's not much time. The Mill is still working and is a lovely place to visit.

The Stone Circle at Castlerigg near Keswick is in the Lake District, about a two-hour bus ride from my home in Beetham. The circle is amazing, and the trail around the village is the old railroad track. In the Victorian Era, wealthy business people built palatial homes here so they could take the train into the city, Manchester, or further south. Most of those homes are now hotels.

Bertie and I hopped on the bus, not knowing where it was going, and made our way to Kendal. We discovered these amazing remains! From here the rulers in the castle could see forever in every direction. Such beauty! It was a wonderful day wandering the town and ruins and waiting for the bus home.

Right behind my temporary home in Skjervøy there's a mountain. I found a trail to get up there and discovered so much wonder. Breathtaking views, vibrant foliage, stunning rock formations. The photos don't capture the incredible feeling of this steep climb. Not literally rock climbing, but some very steep paths. Amazing!

To see the sunrise, I hiked about 25 minutes to the shoreline on the beautiful island of Skjervøy, Norway. This was an amazing way to start the day, seated on ancient stones and witnessing the birth of a brand new day.

I picked the bridge connecting Skjervøy to the big island of Kågen as my destination for the day, to see what I'd discover along the way. Maybe I'll cross over one day, but I found this magical beach and spent my time there instead. It was also the day before the new moon, so I drew the tarot cards for the Corn Moon. Magic.

If I ever go to Vienna again, I will buy a month-long pass and visit for a few hours daily. It would take that to see everything they have there. One of the oldest research museums in the world, still documenting the history of the earth and its inhabitants. Fascinating!

I had the honor of attending a beautiful retreat in Slane, Ireland, celebrating our sovereignty with the Sovereignty Goddesses of Ireland. There aren't any images of the sacred sites. We were constantly engaged in ceremony and reflection. It turns out that taking photographs may not be the most reverent way of behaving at these cherished sites. It's still a beautiful video, so enjoy!

My friend and fellow Meditation Teacher Treacy O'Connor swims in the Irish Sea every day, all year round. I couldn't get in above my chest, but I still had a lovely time in this magical place.

My favorite places are away from roads, cars and people, and the shore along Schull did not disappoint. Ireland cares for its natural places, and this was a magical day. The beautiful, ancient cemetery was a wonderful discovery.

I stayed for a month or so with a darling tabby named Hatshe and had an entire troupe of cats to see in the back yard. The village was wonderful, with live music all the time. The beach at Schull was just a short bus ride away. Wonderful time!

While staying in Ballydehob, I wandered over to the neighboring town of Schull. I saw lots of beautiful people, especially men! It turns out they were having a film festival. Schull has lots of festivals, great dining, shopping and natural beauty. This is the "in-town" day.

I flew into Dublin, stayed at an Airbnb, flew to Manchester to rent a car, then came back to Dublin on the ferry for one more night. All this to avoid getting a credit card to rent a car in Dublin! My first time driving on the left was hilarious and terrifying. These are the unwise plans I no longer make as a more seasoned traveler...

I spent a couple of days wandering the city of Cusco on my way out of Peru. I had a manicure and pedicure and loved the fancy jackets worn by the dogs at the nail salon. Some lovely meals, a fascinating city, and dogs everywhere. They fascinate me every time.

Just a short bus ride from Urubamba is the darling little town and archaeological site at Ollantaytambo. I wandered away from the most popular routes and found myself all alone among the less manicured ruins. I spent time in meditation here, feeling the harmony that the former residents had with the earth. Magical and sacred. Holy and divine.

The city wasn't for me, so I made my way to Urubamba and settled into a beautiful little Airbnb. Shopping, exploring the town, so many dogs and new fruits. I loved my time here.

This darling business processes cacao magic for the whole world and is run by the most beautiful family I've ever met. This was the perfect first home on my worldwide quest.