Hello, I’m Debs, I’m one of the Earth Pathways Diary bunch. I’ve had my arm bent hard behind my back I’m absolutely delighted to write this little piece telling you a bit about me and my role in the Earth Pathways Diary. I do various jobs for the diary; I help with the website (which I know needs some updating – reasons for my slackness in that department coming up later!!!), I deal with the PayPal orders, I input lots of juicy information into the database, I attempt to grapple with the numbers and figures which involves taking my socks off and using my toes to count with, I hinder Jaine while she does a spectacularly good job of sorting out the contribution words and images, and I pretend to be listening at meetings while really eyeing up the ‘biskits’ and ‘choklate’ that appear in copious quantities at these shindigs. The diary could easily cope without my presence but I like to think I bring an element of chaos and disorder to the whole shebang which balances the calm, organised, peaceful harmony which is our trademark stance on life. (more…)

An exciting and challenging week for the Earth Pathways team – we are gathered at my house in Stroud for our big meet. A chance to catch up, fizz ideas together, brainstorm and share the most delicious food.

Normally we are scattered between Essex, Kent, West Wales, Northumberland, Derbyshire and Wiltshire – each of us beavering away doing our different jobs, pinging emails back and forth – sometimes frantic, sometimes hilarious, often supportive and sisterly. I love these wild women, and it is the most vibrant of times when they upsticks and journey all the way to Stroud to visit.

It is often the small details of the diary that make my heart beat faster – a piece of artwork with a secret story, writing that changes pathways, an email from a reader singing encouragement and gratitude. But it is the bigger picture that inspires – as we start off our 2012 edition we are filled with bubbling up hope and creativity, a sprinkle of naughtiness, and the lovely feeling of having already produced three diaries so far, that people have told us they love.

I am ending a full, heartfelt and chocolate fuelled day with a group of women who always amaze me with their energy, truthfulness and an enormous will to carry on…..so watch this space….here comes the 2012, and the Seed Fund (more of that another time), and who knows what other delicious things……

and all under the Chandalier of All Loveliness. Perfect.

You know, I suddenly thought it might be fun to show you where your Submissions land up when you trustingly send them in the post to us! (that’s when the naughty goblin of post office land doesn’t misdirect them to Iceland or somewhere else inaccessible). Well, they come to me here, at Rowan Tree – our postman is lovely, and if I am out and its raining, will pop them in the greenhouse for safekeeping, where they chat happily with the tomatoes until I return…..hmmmm! You can tell I spend an awful lot of time at home alone.

Then they end up in my little artshed, in the corner of our small garden, and this is where it all begins! Debs, our database Diva, puts them all on file and onto c.d’s. You will meet her sometime, I will get her to send a picture of her and the very lovely Harry (normally seen bouncing on her hip). Eventually all of the Earth Pathways team meet up in December – they come to me in Stroud and bring delicious food and plenty of chocolate. We all squeeze in to our house, and have a very wonderful time looking through what you’ve sent……what a great job!

Thank you everyone, for so generously sending us your art, writing, photos, and poetry – it is so so appreciated! If you havn’t sent us anything, and would like to – there’s still time – click on the Contribute button at the top of this page!