I write during the season of Advent. It is the time when we take deep breaths in the liturgical church and focus on hope, peace, joy and love. This fall I have focused my creating on birds. The resulting products are in the form of stickers, magnets, notecards, ornaments and clergy stoles!

Part of my research led to the poem “Hope” is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickenson. It is a reminder that hope is something that lives inside us all. We are never alone in times of tribulation as hope is there singing the voice of encouragement. You are a wonderful encouragement to me! Thank you for so many kind words and careful critiques over the last 18 years of the Carrot Top Studio business! So I share with you the inspiring words —

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

-Emily Dickenson