People write for many reasons, and I write for sheer pleasure. Although creative writing is a personal journey, and something I’m deeply committed to, I made sure to receive a blessing from my spiritual father regarding the idea and launching of Blisswood. I don’t claim to speak for the Church, nor do I hold any theological degree.
Blisswood is simply an Orthodox Christian Blog sharing my faith and experiences – through my poetry, music, stories, and photo art, along with encouraging quotations from Scripture, saints, and the Holy Fathers.
Some of my work has been published locally and abroad: Orthodoxy Today, Orthodox Christian News, Boulevard Lifestyle and Issuu Magazines, the Times Colonist, and copywriting for local businesses. I’m also the editor of a monthly newsletter and a published lyricist.
Writing certainly comes with perks – such as losing track of time and sometimes weaselling out of making dinner! I’m blessed with a wonderful, (very patient) husband, who’s a deacon in our church. We have two delightful adult children with marvellous spouses. There are amazing grandchildren, a grand-cat… and I’ve a generous, brilliant brother, who’s always had my back, except when baking brownies.
It’s a blessing to be a parish youth choir director, and when duty calls, an occasional relief adult choir conductor too… who (mea culpa), sporadically struggles with the fascinating, albeit seldom-used (for good reason) Byzantine Tone 9.
Like my writing – I, too, am a work in progress!
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!
Why “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 came to all the world. Hence, Blisswood!
My Top Five 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