Kate, Author at The Rest of my Time

Meditative Repetition

December, 2025

“There are better things ahead than any we leave behind”

C. S. Lewis

I found that meditative mindset this month by going full analog for my holiday cards. In years past, I have sent out over 400 holiday cards every year. They were of course mass produced, but it was always important to me to keep a little old-school in the project, addressing and signing by hand.

These days, I’ve cut down considerably on the volume, and amped up the hand work. Hand-painting and decorating this small batch of Happy New Year cards was the perfect travel project, and I found peace in the repetition.

Philosophy can sneak up on you

December, 2025

I’ve spent a fair bit of time on long airplane flights lately, so I allow myself a nice juicy novel.

Dan Brown, of The Da Vinci Code fame, has a new one out.

It’s pretty good as a novel, but it also sneaks up on you with interesting takes on the very nature of human consciousness. What does that mean? Well, for instance, is death really death?

Not Lost in Translation

December, 2025

Part of the fun of traveling, for me, is finding out how everyday things are the same or are different.

What a treat to find Pigs in a Blanket in France. And what a giggle to find they are called “Sausages in Costume”!!

A Message from the Ocean

November, 2025

And now, with more news from Ireland, look what the beach gave to me. We took walks in the mornings while we were staying on Rosslare Strand, watching the brave souls wild swim in the cold waves, and one day this little heart appeared at my feet. I was looking to add to my collection of stones that I wrap and weave with threads and yarn, but I think this one stands by itself.

Cooler By the Lake

November, 2025

I’ve sewn almost all my life, but I’ve never dipped my toe into the designing merch waters until now. “Cooler by the Lake” is a phrase you hear often in my Chicago neighborhood, but most of the shirts with the slogan either don’t have the neckline I like, or reference the Michigan side.

This is one of those projects I’ve had in mind to try for quite a while, but since a lot of people have had a lot to say about Chicago lately, the time seemed right.

It will be a couple of weeks before I see how it turned out, and we’ll see where it goes from there. If I like it, this could be the start of something fun.