The vibrant red and warm golden foliage of autumn heading west on I-96 was a calming backdrop for a three-hour drive to Holland. Known for its annual tulip festival, the city provides visitors a chance to experience a slower pace year-round. While the greater Holland area offers a variety of activities, central Holland has its share of historical, recreational, and cosmopolitan offerings. Within walking distance of these experiences is Bonnie’s Parsonage 1908 Bed and Breakfast, an accommodation alternative with ties to the area’s Dutch heritage.
Posts filed under Travel
An Audience with the Pope
As a devout Christian I have studied the Bible and one passage that is very present in my heart is 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eyes have seen, no ears have heard, and no minds have imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Faith, and the love of God, is a grace given to us. Since I was a child, I have felt God’s presence and remember having Divine unitive experiences of awe of my existence and God’s creation. I attended an all-girls school and thought I was going to be a nun. However, my vocation to be a mother was stronger and I was married young and had four daughters and a son. Raising them full time was a very fulfilling and holy experience for me.
When my children left for college, my hands were empty, but my energy was very strong. It was a time to recreate myself. Coincidentally, my only sister and best friend Marta, died suddenly at the age of 38. In my profound grief I realized that I needed to create. More than the activities in the garden, more than my creations in the kitchen. Creativity was calling me to heal my soul.
At the same time, I felt I needed to rediscover God, so I enrolled at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation where I earned several degrees and became a Spiritual Director and Group Formation Leader. It took me ten years, some of the best of my life. In Shalem, which is Ecumenical, I had the gift of sharing time and studies with people from different religions. It was a time of searching; I visited several temples, churches, and synagogues as my soul was so ready to soak in the many faiths that enriched mine. I discovered Rumi and Hazif. I studied with Rossi Joan Halifax and attended Mystery school with Jean Houston for a year. My soul was soaring, renewed, and refreshed.
Read related article: Creature Comforts on the Camino
Following graduation, I created Women’s prayer groups in my eagerness to share my discoveries.
During this time, I also discovered an interest in sculpture, and it has been one of my greatest gifts from God. My sculptures have been expressions of grief, healing, realizations, discoveries, and longings. Creating these pieces brought a tremendous amount of empowerment, courage, and lots of joy. As my sculpting skills grew, I created classes for beginners and advanced students to share the healing I had received through creating art.
In 1996, I founded the Windrise Retreat Center in Metamora, Michigan. For almost 30 years we have held retreats of many kinds. My husband Greg and I host people who find peace and serenity in a secluded 100-acre estate surrounded by forest and a softly singing river. We are Ecumenical in spirit—all denominations are welcome at Windrise. Now I mainly host sculpture classes at my Windrise studio, Galeria Mariposa, as my way to explore the soul.
In March 2013, Pope Francis was elected. The fact that he is Argentinian, as I am, and the first Jesuit and Latin American to be ordained brought tears of joy. He chose his name, Francis, to honor his spiritual connection with St. Francis of Assisi who cared for the poor and the underprivileged. He lives in a simple apartment in the Vatican and refuses the Papal palace and all the luxurious apparel. At night he wears simple Priest clothes as a disguise and visits the homeless. We can say he is like Christ, revolutionary (bringing changes where needed), humble, compassionate, and very wise. When he appeared on the balcony after his ordination at Piazza St. Peter, his first words were “Pray for me.” I cried as I experienced the humility in his words. It was those three words that inspired me to start working on a bust of him—the work took a few months.
After two years of applying for an audience to gift the Pope with my sculpture, I was finally accepted for an audience on March 18, 2020. Just as my husband and I were ready to embark on this holy and extraordinary trip, Italy closed, and the Covid-19 pandemic crushed our plans.
The Vatican coordinator for my audience with the Pope assured me that I would be first in line for an audience when the Vatican opened back up. So, as I surrendered to God’s plans, I spent the Covid quarantine time sculpting portraits of other people I admire like Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
In the summer of 2021, the Vatican scheduled another audience. With great excitement, we flew to Rome on the 5th of October for an audience with Pope Francis on the 6th. The bust was professionally packed, and we carried it to Rome with our luggage on Lufthansa Airlines. I had visited Rome and the Vatican several times since Pope Francis was ordained. During one visit I saw him in the balcony—it was an unexpected surprise—but it gave me the chance to take the photo I used to create his bust.
The St. Peters Basilica has always made me marvel at its gilded beauty—from Michelangelo’s magnificent sculpture of The Pietà, to all the beautiful art adorning its walls. Being a sculptor, I have always been touched and inspired by my visits. This visit was different, though. The audience was held in a large auditorium in the Vatican. I have no words to describe my emotion and gratitude. When his Holiness greeted me personally, my heart swelled in his loving presence. Pope Francis told me he liked the piece, and after giving me a hug, as we Argentinians do, he said “Thank you for making me smile.”
I am forever grateful for the grace of this gift. Never would I have imagined that my sculpture would be at The Vatican, in Pope Francis’ collection.
You can visit Estela Monjo Boudreau’s virtual art gallery at galeriamariposa.net. To learn about the Windrise Retreat Center visit windrise.com.
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Weekend Getaways--Ronora Lodge
For some Michiganders, I-94’s western track is a familiar path. Excursions to breakfast behemoth Kellogg, muffin maestro Jiffy, or a sandy shore on Lake Michigan share the interstate with commuters and commercial traffic. I-94 is also the gateway to Watervliet, a rural section of the Niles-Benton Harbor metro area—a region often associated with beachfront getaways. A drive through downtown Watervliet provides a juxtaposition of convenience and tradition. The area’s relaxed vibe is the ideal backdrop for the natural respite offered by the Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center.
Out of My Comfort Zone: In the Space Between My Comfort Zones
Does exhaling take you out of your comfort zone? How about taking a step out ahead of you? How about the first pangs of hunger, or the chill of the air, when you step outdoors on a cold day?
Greenleaf—A Southern Sanctuary
Greenleaf’s homage to the past is understandable given its origin as a farmhouse built in 1873 by its namesake, Charles Greenleaf. Its evolution as a bed and breakfast has been a labor of love orchestrated by innkeepers Steve and Diane Newell. They’ve owned the property for over 15 years and spent a decade completing renovations.
Weekend Getaways: Up North Excursion - Petoskey Region Roundup
Confession time! As a native New Yorker who moved to Michigan to attend U-M, I never understood the appeal of going “up north” for a restful getaway. I could appreciate its appeal for campers, skiers, and hunters, but not having such interests made Northern Michigan something of an enigma to me. So, an extended visit to the Petoskey area was an ideal opportunity to see the variety of settings, cultures, and cuisines reflected in the region.
Hitting the Road: Life and Love in a Backpack
The end of 2018 brought a drastic change in my life. I had been on the road for sixteen months before I moved to the charming town of Ann Arbor. I went to Italy over Christmas to visit family, and until then I had been travelling around Asia. My plan was to carry on with my nomadic life. I was going back to Thailand for the month of January, then I was going to make my way back to China, where I was temporarily living and working as an outdoor guide. I had decided that when I grew tired, I would move on toward new horizons, maybe to New Zealand or Australia.
Circle Pines Center – Not Just Another Summer Camp
By Petula Brown
The Circle Pines Center in Delton, Michigan, distinguishes itself as a getaway locale by offering opportunities to build self-awareness via interaction as well as introspection. Their mission is to promote peace, social justice, environmental stewardship, and cooperation. Through their scheduled family-friendly events (see their online calendar), and children’s summer camps, they aim to demonstrate cooperation as a way of life. Become a member of Circle Pines (for $120.00 a year, less for low income families) and you’ll get access to early event registration as well as ticket and rental discounts, but you don’t have to be a member to have access to this 294 acres of rolling hills, forests, and lakefront property—most Circle Pines events are open to the public and the property is also available for corporate retreats, family reunions, weddings, and community gatherings, as well as being able to accommodate the lone traveler.
The annual Buttermilk Jamboree is a three-day festival that provides guests the chance to either camp overnight or visit for the day. With educational workshops, local vendors, a kid’s area, and a craft beer/wine tent, the summer Jamboree is a cornucopia of activity that highlights cooperative practices in action. The festival also gives a platform for entertainers to set a celebratory vibe for attendees. Past performers include the indie group Last Gap Collective, folk musician Britt Kusserow, and vintage blues/jazz artist Luke Winslow-King.
September’s Midwest Mushroom Camp is an opportunity to explore the area’s population of mushroom species. Culinary, crafting, and educational sessions are available throughout the weekend and make Circle Pines a prime destination for mushroom lovers. In October, visitors can experience Apple Cider Weekend. After picking apples from the Center’s orchard, guests press them into cider to enjoy during the season.
In addition to scheduled events, visitors can arrange private visits, as well as site rentals. The Center has hosted a variety of activities, including weddings, yoga retreats, and craft clubs, though Circle Pines is particularly interested in events with a focus on social justice or that have a cooperative angle. The property can accommodate 100 people during the summer season and 30 during winter months. Rentals can include use of the Center’s kitchen, or catering arranged by Circle Pines is available.
Circle Pines’ focus on group experiences is grounded in a philosophy established in 1882. As part of the Central States Cooperative League, its philosophy emphasized economic reform and peace education as well as embracing the cooperative movement of that era. Hosted at the Ashland Folk School in Grant, Michigan for 60 years, the co-op expanded and moved to its current location in 1940. It now makes its home on the property of Stewart Farm in the town of Delton. Operating as a folk school and family camp, over the years Circle Pines members (CPC’ers) have engaged in activism related to civil rights, peace initiatives, and environmental consciousness, illustrating commitment to the Center’s primary mission—to show the advantages of cooperation as a way of life.
Circle Pines embraces the natural beauty of forests, meadows, and a beach off of Stewart Lake. Although the Center has over 30 buildings, most blend into the wooded surroundings and have rustic interiors. The hub of activity, the Farmhouse, includes a commercial kitchen, dining hall, library, and meeting rooms. Its eclectic style reflects renovations done by Center members since the early 1900’s. Nearby, Swallows Lodge provides heated lodging and close access to the main bathhouse and laundry room. Dispersed throughout the property, cabins (some heated), tent sites, bathhouses, and outdoor toilets supply other accommodation options. Other amenities include picnic tables, fire pits/rings, a wood-fired pizza oven, a stone labyrinth, and a wood-fired sauna. In the spirit of sustainability and economy, overnight guests should bring their own bedding, towels, and toiletries.
As an institution founded to support cooperative and sustainable living, the Circle Pines culinary staff sources locally whenever possible. Mud Lake Farm in Hudsonville provides greens and herbs, Crane Dance Farm in Middleville supplies meat products, and the coffee served at the Center is sourced from Higher Grounds Trading Company in Traverse City. Circle Pines also has a garden, an orchard, and uses wild foods available on the property. The Center’s crops include apples, peaches, mushrooms, nettles, and black walnuts.
Given the Center’s focus on education and cooperative living, Circle Pines camping programs are well suited to create collaborative and communal opportunities. Three full time staff provides oversight for property management and public relations. There is a seasonal food service staff as well as volunteers. Many volunteers are former campers whose fond memories encourage a desire to give back. Geared toward youth participants, summer camps are the ideal time to introduce cooperative practices such as daily chores, working the camp store, and tending the garden. Campers also enjoy traditional activities like water sports, crafts, and outdoor games so their summer experience is fun as well as educational. On the Circle Pines website, interested parents can download a camp guide and apply for financial aid.
Throughout spring, summer, and fall, Circle Pines programming allows adults to experience its cooperative environment. Workbee retreats and weekend retreats offer free lodging and meals in exchange for labor to complete a variety of maintenance activities around the camp. Interspersed between cooperatively planned work tasks, free time is available to use Center amenities as well as socialize and refresh. The retreats are an ideal introduction to the Center’s philosophies as well as an opportunity to engage with the natural beauty that surrounds Circle Pines.
The Center’s membership model offers an opportunity to contribute to and influence its initiatives beyond occasional visits. It also reinforces the Circle Pines mission as an organization committed to cooperative living. During non-event periods, the rustic setting and secluded woodlands are well suited to accommodate solo travelers looking for a quiet respite. With the variety of activities, Circle Pines allows visitors to experience an expanded definition of wellness in a beautiful, natural setting.
Circle Pines is located at 8650 Mullen Road, Delton, MI 49046. You can reach them by phone by calling: 269-623-5555. Midwest Mushroom camp is September 27 – 29 and Apple Cider Weekend is October 11 – 13. To find out more information, visit the Circle Pines website, circlepinescenter.org or send an email to: info@circlepinescenter.org.
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Renewal for the Body, Mind, and Spirit at Grass Lake Sanctuary
Clinical trial. Deductible. Dosing. Pre-op. Protocol. Blood work. If you are familiar with any of these terms, you’ve likely had some encounter with health care services in the United States. However, the traditional medical model – a condition-focused, interventional approach controlled by clinical providers – toward health and wellness has been challenged. In seeking recovery via alternative models, Americans are exploring options beyond the doctor’s office. The Ann Arbor area is a nexus for many of these resources, including Grass Lake Sanctuary, a nature-focused retreat space in Manchester that has served the region for over ten years.
What Propels a Journey? The Peripatetic Career of Kate Soper
Kate Soper came of age in the early 1960s. She is part of the generation that ushered in a new wave of women. She is a quiet but active feminist.
Kindness, Clarity, and Insight is a collection of talks that the Tibetan Buddhist Dalai Lama gave in the USA and Canada more than forty years ago. With this and later books, the Dalai Lama brought Tibetan Buddhism and the situation in Tibet into prominent international awareness; he went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.