People write for many reasons, and I (perhaps selfishly? 🤔) write mostly for sheer pleasure – although, sometimes I simply write to help myself make sense of the world. Blisswood focusses purely on peace, repentance and consolation… our spiritual shields against the chaotic noise of modern times.
Creative writing is a personal journey to which I’m deeply committed to, and in 2020, during the pandemic lockdowns, I asked for and received a blessing from my spiritual father regarding the concept and launching of Blisswood… A blog to reflect a continuing personal journey and traditional Orthodox Christian praxis.
Please note, I do not claim to speak for the Church, nor do I hold any theological degree. Blisswood’s posts connect daily routine moments into spiritual lessons of Creation in worship… discovering the extraordinary within (seemingly) mundane ordinariness.
Blisswood is simply an Orthodox Christian Blog sharing faith and experiences – through my poetry, music, stories, photo art, and encouraging quotations from Scripture, Saints, and the Holy Fathers. Blisswood deliberately avoids postings regarding online culture wars or divisive theological debates.
What is the meaning of the title “Blisswood”?
The word Bliss comes from 12th century Old English, blisfulle, meaning “glad, happy, joyous; blessed, and full of the glory of heaven.” And, through the Wood of the Cross, Joy has come to all the world. Hence, Blisswood!
Like my writing – I’m definitely a work in progress! With God’s help, I move forward bit by bit – although the pace at times seems – trez turtle-ish… heavy on the “ish”.
Some of my work has been published locally and abroad: Orthodoxy Today, Orthodox Christian News, Boulevard Lifestyle and Issuu Magazines, the Times Colonist, as well as copywriting for local businesses.
In early January 2023, I had the wonderful opportunity of being interviewed by the Morning Edition of NPR (National Public Radio Broadcast) to share some Orthodox Nativity Traditions.
More recently, I was part of a medical/patient panel, and contributed towards the University of British Columbia’s Chronic Pelvic Pain in Medical Education and how endometriosis afflicts numerous women. Our paper is now published and is being used in training the medical profession and health care providers. This paper will be highlighted at the 2026 UBC Medical School’s “Celebration of Hope” and an endometriosis lecture is planned to be added to the UBC medical school curriculum in 2027.
On the lighter and more musical side of things… I’m a lyricist, and amateur composer. It’s a blessing to be a parish youth choir director, and when duty calls, an occasional relief adult choir conductor too… who, sporadically struggles (unintentionally) with the fascinating (albeit seldom-used) Byzantine Tone 9.
I’m blessed with a wonderful husband who’s a deacon in our church. We have two delightful adult children with marvellous spouses. There are amazing grandchildren, a snooty grand-cat, and a generous, brilliant brother, who’s always had my back… except when baking brownies.
When not pecking away at my laptop on some magnum opus, I’m either in the garden, or wishing I was.
Thanks for visiting Blisswood!
My Top 4 Favourite Scripture Verses
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:28
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:6, 7, 13
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”~ St. John 20:29
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. ~ St. John 21:25