25 Comments
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Laura Grace Weldon's avatar

This is the deep inhale and exhale I needed right now. Thank you x a million.

Beth Adams's avatar

And thank you for saying this, Laura. I appreciate it very much.

Amanda Wald Rachie's avatar

Thank you for this particularly heartening post marking 23 years of bringing your creative voice to the world in this way. My father died on March 17, 2003, just before that war started. It wasn't until 2005 that I had a laptop and first found your blog and other blogs that inspired me to start my own blog in 2006. I'm grateful for having found and then become a part of a fellowship of bloggers that continues to this day.

Beth Adams's avatar

Thank you Amanda for your thoughtfulness in what you write and share, and for being a continual presence and friend here.

Bryce Tolpen's avatar

Happy blog birthday! This is such an inspiring account of crossing borders (literally and in our art or writing) to see, as best we can, with new eyes.

Beth Adams's avatar

Thanks, Bryce! And thanks for reading my posts for so many years and being a companion here.

Kathy Hughes's avatar

Happy Birthday to Cassandra Pages Beth. Agree with other’s sentiments we are glad you have persisted and brought much joy and wisdom through your words and thoughts. Glad to hear what a nice time you two are having in Mexico! Xxxoooooo

Beth Adams's avatar

Thanks so much Kathy, for our constant friendship and for reading and commenting on what I do here. Love to all of you!

nivuniconnu's avatar

Joyeux bloganniversaire! I’m glag you are persistent.

Beth Adams's avatar

Merci, Martine. Thank you for being a companion from the very beginning of this journey!

Edward Yankie's avatar

Happy anniversary to The Cassandra Pages! And preach it, sister! I needed that, even though I'm part of the choir. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip!

Beth Adams's avatar

Thank you, Edward! I appreciate your reading and your comments so much, and look forward to seeing you in person soon.

Elsa Valsdóttir's avatar

happy birthday- just a few month older than helga! thank you for keeping it up

Beth Adams's avatar

Well, that's not a coincidence since it was Hordur who got me started in blogging! How can this many years have passed between now and then? (I like the reminder that Helga and Cassandra are the same age!)

Michele Rattray-Huish's avatar

Beautiful words, beautiful images, beautiful thoughts Beth!

It's is through people like you - the artists, that humanity may be saved from the scourge of AI.

Beth Adams's avatar

Thanks Michele. I hope that's true, and I plan to do my part as best I can!

Mary McCloskey's avatar

Happy 23rd anniversary, Beth. Because you have taken the time to honor beauty and to share it, I've been fortunate to reap the rich rewards. Thanks so much for staying the course and for helping the rest of us through it.

Beth Adams's avatar

Ah, Mary, thank you for your kind words and for being a friend here for a long time now. We will get through these recent challenges because friendships, community, beauty and truth are stronger than anything the evil ones can dream up in their dry, arid, impoverished minds.

Jean Morris's avatar

What a lovely piece - I heartily agree! And happy blogiversary from me too! I wasn't there when you started, but very shortly after.

Beth Adams's avatar

I feel like you've been there from the very beginning, Jean, so we won't count! Thank you so much.

Dave Bonta's avatar

Happy Blogday, Beth! Thanks for persisting, and for posting these words of wisdom.

Beth Adams's avatar

Thanks, Dave. Yep, we're still both here...pretty amazing! I wished so much that I could experience some of the botany of Mexico with you -- towering pads of papyrus, ancient Montezuma Cypresses, all kinds of succulents and cacti. And all those unfamiliar birds and birdsongs. You would love it.

Dave Bonta's avatar

I'll get down there one of these days, no doubt. It's the only way I'll be able to afford, e.g., cancer treatment. (My Mexican-American sister-in-law is a medical professional with all kinds of connections in the DF.) The Montezuma cypresses will be my reward.

Rachel Barenblat's avatar

Happy blogiversary! I will forever be grateful to our blogs for bringing us together.

And thank you for these beautiful photographs and drawings and meditations on art and meaning. My teenaged son is currently planning to make his life making music, and while I worry about the practicalities of making a living (especially in an unknown future) I tell myself that at least I know he will always have a deep source of spiritual sustenance and joy -- because making music with other human beings is good for the soul.

Beth Adams's avatar

Dear Rachel, I didn't know that about your son, and I'm delighted to hear it. Like most artists he may have to find additional sources of income, or teach music as well as performing it, but for the reasons you cite I'm happy for him -- he'll have a richer and more satisfying life than those who choose a path primarily for the money. And i know you'll support him in his love for music because you have it too!