New Job: Programs Coordinator! - Thanks again to our generous donor base and program sponsors for supporting our capacity to create and offer this new employment opportunity! The Programs Coordinator role will make a 5th […]
Our Growing Lilac Collection & Community - One-hundred plus total lilac plants. One-hundred varieties. Eighty-six planted. Thirty nursery pots. Sixty-six mature shrubs are wheelchair-accessible, from an ADA compliant hardscape trail built by Karl R Ackerman. It’s our […]
Earth Week & Arboretum Offerings - Wednesday, 4/22, is Earth Day, and Friday, 4/24, is Arbor Day. We are offering more opportunities this week to enjoy quality time in the garden. Please schedule in advance to […]
April Bulb Parade and Earth Week! - This month enjoy thousands of bulbs emerging, and many in bloom! We have open garden hours T/Th 1-4, and additional tours during Earth Week, April 21 and 23, 10:30am and […]
Spring Snapshot 2026 - Our Accessible Gardens, Garden Rx opening day is April 7, 1-4pm. Enjoy spring trees, shrubs, and thousands of bulbs emerging! Save your Spot! Open Garden Days Our New Weekly Thursday […]
We are expanding our board: We need your voice - Board of Directors · Spring 2026 We Need Your Help — Join the RSR Board of Directors From the Rest-Stop-Ranch Board · Topsfield, MA The daffodils are up along Orchard […]
Spring is arriving - A Spring Morning Report By Karl Ackerman | March 2026 The ground at the Ranch is still waking up (Half-Frozen), but the arrivals have begun. We’ve spotted our first tree […]
Help Provide Support Without Barriers - Your Partnership Provides a Sanctuary for Those Who Carry the Weight of Care A Place Where the Path is Always Open. For a family caregiver, the world can feel progressively […]
Invitation to Rest-Stop-Ranch - You’re Invited to Rest-Stop-Ranch 202 Haverhill Road, Topsfield, MA 01983 Find Support and Sanctuary in our fully wheelchair-accessible gardens. Support Without Barriers (FREE) All programs are free-of-charge. We provide a […]
One Body, One Heart: How to Claim Your “Me Moment” - One Body, One Heart The Practice of the “Me Moment” A Caregiver’s Guide to Sustainable Well-being The Fundamental Truth You have one body: one heart. You alone have the power […]
The Science of Sanctuary (And why we built this) - Built on Science, Driven by Heart Why Rest-Stop-Ranch exists—and how we’re changing the journey of caregiving. The “Why” Behind the Woods When we first envisioned Rest-Stop-Ranch, it wasn’t just about […]
Join Us for the Thursday Social — A Weekly Sanctuary for Connection - Thursday Social: Connect, Relax, and Refresh At Rest-Stop-Ranch, we believe everyone needs a “rest-stop” in life. Whether you are navigating the journey of caregiving, living with a chronic illness, or […]
Join Our Team! Paid & Volunteer Roles Available - Grow With Us in 2026 Help us cultivate a sanctuary of care. Join our team to support families through and beyond the long-term-care journey. Professional Staff Opportunities Administrative Development Liaison […]
New Website Design - A New Way to Connect at Rest Stop Ranch Welcome to our new online home! We’ve redesigned our website to be a more peaceful, functional space for our community. Whether […]
Valentine’s Weekend 2026 - Love is in the air! Roses are in the trees! Fire Horse energy is strong! This Thursday, 2/12, Join us at our Caretaker’s Cottage: 1-4pm, Thursday Social, Tea, Dance!, for […]
Rose Curator Wanted! 8 hrs/wk - Are you a plant lover who has grown to appreciate roses, and the special care they require? We’re recruiting an individual who will find enjoyment caring for our 100 wheelchair-accessible […]
Development Liaison Wanted! 10 hrs/wk - We’re now recruiting for an enthusiastic busy, buzzing, bee-type individual who would love to help us grow foot traffic, volunteering, and sustainable funding sources… is this you or someone you […]
2026 New Year Bonfires & More! - Join us at our Cozy Caretaker’s Cottage this weekend for our 2nd Saturday, 10am-12pm, “Memory Cafe” program, followed by 12pm-1pm “Meet & Eat” brown bag lunch & learn ~ topic […]
2026 New Year Hopes - We look forward to continue building support for long-term caregivers’ respite needs, while building the accessible trail system into the forest. Our Accessible Arboretum continues to develop along with the […]
1 Day til Year End, 2025 ~ Happy New Year! - On the Day, before year-end, 12/31, MIDNIGHT… get your 2025 tax benefit while making a BIG DIFFERENCE! Grateful for any level of support… Please Donate Today with MightyCause $30 Help […]
2 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 2nd Day, before year-end, 12/31, MIDNIGHT… get your 2025 tax benefit while making a BIG DIFFERENCE! As this year comes to a close, we’re grateful for all the […]
3 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 3rd Day, before year-end, We have $22,900. left to raise, before year-end. Please Donate Today with MightyCause We give thanks to all volunteers over 15 years… Our volunteer […]
4 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 4th Day, before year-end, We have $22,900. left to raise, before year-end. Please Donate Today with MightyCause We give thanks to our 2025 Holiday Stroll Supporters Strategic Partner […]
5 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 5th Day, before year-end, We have $22,900. left to raise, before year-end. Please Donate Today with MightyCause Dementia Caregivers are at the highest risk for negative health impacts. […]6 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 6th Day, before year-end, We have $22,900. left to raise, before year-end. Please Donate Today with MightyCause Many 2025 Guests are thrilled to now be able to bring […]
7 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 7th Day, before year-end, this Christmas Day, Thanks so much for your gifts! We received 4 checks for $1,150. and an additional $945. came from online givers at […]8 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 8th Day, before year-end, this Christmas Eve… Grateful for your support! We have $24,995. left to raise, before year-end. Please Donate Today with MightyCause We remember with love, […]
9 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 9th Day, before year-end, We have $25,000. left to raise, before year-end. Please Donate Today with MightyCause We celebrate all weary care-partners doing 24/7 care AND needing respite […]10 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 10th Day, before year-end, We celebrate, with significant donor help, developing 0.5 mile Accessible Garden Trails, over 15 years! In 2025 we served independent wheelchair-users, care-partners with friends […]
11 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 11th Day, before year-end, We celebrate the Winter Solstice…and honor all caregivers for whom it is continuously “The LONGEST NIGHT.” We celebrate becoming an Accredited Arboretum! Accessible Arboretum […]
12 Days til Year End, 2025 - On the 12th Day, before year-end, We celebrate our friend, Matt Belge, who came to us in October with the desire to share his light projection and flower photo art […]
12 Days of Giving is Coming up! - Our end-of-year goal is $25,000. Please Donate Today with MightyCause This is our final push to raise the funds needed to support: Growing the Accessible Gardens (2026 Forest Floor Hardscape […]
Holiday Stroll 2025, with Light Artist, Matt Belge - Looking for a sensory-friendly, small-scale holiday event, wheelchair-accessible, and free-of-charge? Join us at our home in Topsfield, MA, Rest-Stop-Ranch, where we support long-term caregivers, and offer accessible gardens, an artist-in-residence […]
Triple Your Donation Now! - Triple your donation, Today, Giving Tuesday, with 2 matches happening! Thanks so much to The Movement Solution, Boxford, MA for providing a $250.00 match, this will apply along with the […]Giving Tuesday Dec. 2 & Strolls Start Dec. 5 - At Rest-Stop-Ranch the causes we care about the most are: CAREGIVER WELLNESS and ACCESSIBLE GARDENS & ARBORETUM If you’re also a passionate advocate, please consider donating on GIVING TUESDAY […]
Register Today for the Friday Dec 5 and Sat Dec 6 ‘Sky Garden’ art exhibit - Your early registration is appreciated so we can plan for food and beverages! Register now on Zeffy Text or Call: 978-887-4202 (Parking is limited to 10 vehicles). Next shows are […]
Giving Tuesday & December Holiday Strolls Events - Giving Tuesday is December 2! We appreciate any and all donations; Matches on MightyCause will be a way to double your gift, throughout the month, to Dec 31! There are […] Register Today! This Sat. Nov. 15 Artist Premier! - Your registration by Thursday 5pm is appreciated so we can plan for food and beverage! Saturday weather looks super for the projected light exhibit. Text or Call: 978-887-4202 (Parking is […]
November Programs 2025 - Grateful for you All! Donate Today to support Family Caregivers & Respite Programs! https://www.mightycause.com/story/SkyGardens November is National Family Caregivers Month! Learn more: https://www.caregiveraction.org/nfc-month/ All are welcome. Our therapeutic programs require […] Nov 15 ~ Artist Reception, Exhibit Opening & Fundraiser - Matt Belge has been traveling from his home in Lincoln, MA, to test and develop this amazing projected light exhibit at our home in Tospfield, MA. He wishes to be […]
Halloweekend 2025: Gratitude, Grief & Advocacy - Happy Halloween, All Souls & All Saints! November is National Family Caregivers Month. We honor current caregivers and remember with love caregivers who have passed on. What is still really […]Fall Event – Sky Garden – Accessible garden light installation an evening event - https://givingtuesday.mightycause.com/story/SkyGardens ✨Bring the magic ‘Sky Garden’ to Rest-Stop-Ranch this winter!✨ We’re thrilled to partner with light artist to transform our accessible grounds into a breathtaking “virtual garden” – a sanctuary […]
15 Years! October Accessible Events 2025 - We are celebrating 15 years (2010-2025) serving weary caregivers and their loved ones at our wheelchair-friendly gardens and Caretaker’s Cottage in Topsfield, MA, USA. See our free and open-to-all October […]
September Accessible Events - WE ARE ON VACATION. GARDENS & OFFICE RE-OPEN SEPTEMBER 9. All events require registration (978-887-4202) and are free-of-charge. Donations are appreciated. Bring your own container to pick raspberries! GARDEN RX: […]
Summer Vacation 2025 - OUR 3-WEEK SUMMER VACATION STARTS AUGUST 15. GARDENS AND OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED; WE WILL RE-OPEN SEPTEMBER 9.
Wanted: Garden Guru, $15/hr, 10 hrs/wk - We’re hiring a Garden Guru, year-round, up to 10 hours per week! We now seek an individual who can serve the Tuesday/Thursday volunteer programs (6 hours/wk.) as a plant expert, […]
Arboretum Beginnings - Rest-Stop-Ranch will soon offer an Accessible Arboretum! We will become certified as a Level 1 Arboretum with the help of ArbNet.org, based in Chicago, at the Morton Arboretum. It’s been […]
August Accessible Events! - Reserve your time today- text or call 978-887-4202. Peaches may be picked from the wheelchair-accessible trail. Lilies, Roses and Dahlias continue to bloom! Open by appointment, Tuesdays/Thursdays, 1-4pm, and Sunday, […]
July Accessible Lily Fest! - Reserve your time today- text or call 978-887-4202. Fragrant lilies are enjoyed by all from the wheelchair-accessible trail. Roses continue to bloom, and dahlias have started! Open by appointment, Tuesdays/Thursdays, […]
Now Hiring ~ 2 Part-Time Jobs Available - We’re hiring: Development & Outreach Liaison Volunteer Coordinator Please read the information below and follow links to job flyers and descriptions. All interested candidates, please complete a team application with […]
Stop & Smell the Roses & Help ENDALZ this June 2025! - Reserve your time today- text or call 978-887-4202. 100 wheelchair-accessible roses are lovingly cared for by our weekly volunteer garden crew. Thanks to the New England Rose Society for their […] 2025 International Lilac Society Award - Thanks to our friends at the International Lilac Society Convention, Kent, OH, USA, May 2-4, 2025 ~ for recognizing our work to make 50 lilac shrubs wheelchair-accessible along an ADA-friendly […]
May Lilac Fest: Plan Your Visit! - For North of Boston residents living with disabilities, this lilac show is your accessible alternative to driving to Boston’s Arnold Arboretum! Open by appointment, Tuesdays/Thursdays, 1-4pm, and Mother’s Day, Sunday, […] April Bulb Wow Moments - Here are some of our favorite photos from the April Bulb Parade! Tuesday, April 29, 1-4pm, is the last open garden session to enjoy this show. Reserve your time by […]
April Bulb Parade: Plan Your Visit! - Open by appointment, Tuesdays/Thursdays, 1-4pm, and Sunday, April 13, 10am – 2pm. Text/Call 978-887-4202; choose Session 1 (1pm – 2:30pm) or Session 2 (2:30pm – 4pm). Free-of-Charge. Your donation – […]
1st Daffodil Bloom: King Alfred! - Daffodil Season has arrived! Why is this bloom significant? It marks a wrapping up of transition bulbs and branches and a movement into the heart of spring bulbs and branches. […]Update: Help Wanted! Volunteer Coordinator 8h/wk $20/h - Hi All! We are still early in our process of interviewing for this open position. We thought it would be helpful to offer a few more thoughts about the best […]
Volunteers Needed: Host Guests in the Garden! - Our Accessible Garden programming begins April 8. Weekly programs include “Garden RX” Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-4pm. Free-of-Charge, garden guests reserve either 1st Session, 1-2:30pm, or 2nd Session, 2:30pm – 4pm. […]
Spring Equinox Blooms! - Our Accessible Gardens opening day is Tuesday, April 8, 1-4pm. Reserve your time now! 1-2:30pm or 2:30pm-4pm. We are recruiting volunteers to host guests during these hours, Tuesdays and Thursdays. […]
Help Wanted! Volunteer Coordinator 8h/wk $20/h - We’re excited to grow our team to include a part-time Volunteer Coordinator! This individual will play a key role in growing volunteer participation and supporting the wellness of all volunteers, […]
March 12 Texas Roadhouse Danvers Fundraiser for Rest-Stop-Ranch - This Wednesday enjoy a meal – dine in or take out – at the Texas Roadhouse Danvers, MA! When you present this flyer, 10% will be donated to Rest-Stop-Ranch. If […]
Hello Spring 2025! - Hope Abounds in the Garden! Blooming Now: Witch Hazel, Snowdrops, Lenten Roses. All are welcome, free-of-charge. Donations welcome. RSVP Required. Parking is limited. Call or text 978-887-4202. VOLUNTEER Volunteer Training […]
February Love 2025 - Love is all we need. Quality time together is one of 5 love languages (Gary Chapman). All are welcome, free-of-charge. Donations welcome. RSVP Required. Parking is limited. Call or text […]Lily Pond Overlook Update: A Huge Milestone! - We are thrilled to announce a major breakthrough in our fundraising efforts for the Lily Pond Overlook project! An anonymous aegel donor has generously pledged $25,000 towards the completion of […]
Happy New Year 2025! - BIG THANKS to our surprise Anonymous Angel Investor 2024 gifting our nonprofit $25K! Plus the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation gift of $5K… to support the completion of the wheelchair-accessible […]Walk and Wheel – Holiday lights - Each year we have an open garden holiday lights event where all the garden trails have holiday lights and we have a fire going in the cottage with hot coffee […]
🎉 Huge thanks to the Friends of the Topsfield Council on Aging 🎉 - Your on-going support helps us continue to provide a welcoming space for those with memory challenges and their loved ones. With this sponsorship, we can offer coffee, sweets, and engaging […]
Lily pond overlook – update 1 - Lily Pond Overlook ADA Compliance Project: Progress Update This week, we made a big step forward in our Lily Pond Overlook accessibility project! We received 10 tons of stone dust […]
Giving Tuesday 2024 - The Lily Pond Overlook Project: A Sanctuary for Caregivers and Nature Lovers At Rest-Stop-Ranch, we believe in the healing power of nature. The Lily Pond Overlook project is more than […]
Videos by JD Martz ~ Wheelchair Access Celebrated! - JD is a young man living with paralysis in our community. He was inspired to share about our garden for his Danvers Community Access TV show “Seen + Heard” – […]
November Events - Hi All! It’s the beginning of our Holiday Season! We’re grateful for all the community support this year. If you’re looking to make a tax-deductible donation before year’s end, please […]2024 Topsfield Fair Top Take-Aways - Thanks to Everyone who sponsored, built, visited, and volunteered to make our second year at the Topsfield Fair Flower Building a success! Repeated themes & features: Garden Accessibility for All-Abilities […]
OTA Students Visit RSR to Experience Accessibility! - Mary met Rhianna and Amanda, two graduate students, at the accessible gardens parking area, Tuesday, 10/1/24, 9am – 10am. They are studying how to be Occupational Therapy Assistants, at North […]
October Events & Topsfield Fair 2024 - Happy Autumn in New England! The Topsfield Fair happens Oct 4 – 14. If attending it, please visit the Rest-Stop-Ranch “Accessible Garden” display at the Flower Building. Karl has spent […]
September Events - Happy Back-to-School Everyone! September schedules include ours (see below). Hope to see you in our garden this season! All are welcome, free-of-charge, RSVP Required – please call/text Mary (978-887-4202) Please […]
August Events - Karl has laid the stonedust and the brick at our 3 Bump Outs along the Orchard Ave, one of seven horticultural areas at the wheelchair-accessible MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 […]
Happy Independence Day! July Events - Enjoy these summer days! Weekly Programs July 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 – 1PM – 4PM; Garden RX. Open garden hours. Reserve your visit at least 1 day ahead, […]
Father’s Day and June Events - Our Accessible Rose Rodeo is happening now! 100 rose shrubs are adjacent to an ADA compliant trail… easy to see and smell for ALL guests! 0.5 mile wheelchair-friendly trails. Please […] Card to Culture - Since 2011, we’ve offered public access to our wheelchair-accessible gardens free-of-charge. We’ve continued this approach, to encourage all to enjoy: seeing and smelling the bulbs, lilacs, roses, lilies… picking and […]
Mother’s Day and May Events! - Our Accessible Lilac Fest is underway! 50 lilac plants are adjacent to an ADA compliant trail… easy to see and smell for ALL guests! 0.5 mile wheelchair-friendly trails. Please reserve […]
Thanks for the Rose Pruning Master Class! - David Cannistraro, of Just Roses (his consulting business), volunteered his time with us this past Sunday. He helped to prune our 100 wheelchair-accessible roses, and was a helpful teacher to […]
Daffodil Delights through April - Thanks to all our monthly and weekly volunteers! Volunteer Opportunities are still available weekly Thursdays (Garden Crew) 9am – 12pm; Tuesdays or Thursdays (Garden Rx) 1-4pm, and on 2nd Sundays […]
April: 2nd Weekend: Garden Events - Please reserve your visit 1 day ahead if possible. Parking is limited. The Bulb Parade has started! Daffodils, Tulips, Hyacinths, Lenten Roses, and Forsythia are in bloom! 0.5 mile wheelchair-friendly […]
Garden Rx Begins! April 2, 1-4pm - Our Bulb Parade has started! Enjoy 0.5 mile wheelchair-accessible trails, with snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, winter aconite, witch hazel… Garden RX is our weekly Tuesday/Thursday 1-4pm Open Garden. Any […]
Welcome Spring 2024! - March 1 is Meteorological Spring Our Thursday morning volunteer Garden Crew is uncovering emerging snowdrop and daffodil bulbs as we clear the winter away, and gather materials for our Welcome […]
Volunteer Info Sessions 2024 - Consider Volunteering with Us! View/Download our TEAM MEMBER APPLICATION Our volunteers range in age from 14 to 80+. Most are young adults fulfilling volunteer requirements for school, or retired adults […]
Boston Bridge Meeting at MIT Sloan School of Management - 2/21/24: Mary & Beverly spoke at the Boston Bridge group, MIT Sloan School of Management Boston Bridge is a group of aging advocates and professionals supporting networking and development of […]
Winter Fun 2024 - Let’s keep warm with loved ones and friends! Bonfire Parties! February 10, 1-4pm; Celebrate MardiGras. March 16, 1-4pm; Celebrate Spring’s Arrival. (1st Day of Spring is March 19!) All ages […]
Happy & Healthy New Year 2024 - Wishing All Peace & Joy! New Year Resolutions? Long-term caregivers in our community: Individual and Group Support is available, and free-of-charge. Schedule your 1:1 call or visit with Mary (an […]
End of Year Giving - A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All! Please consider a tax-deductible donation before this 2023 year ends! Our goal is now $1,975. before the New Year ball […]
December Open House & Garden Lights - Happy Holidays All! Love is all around and within us… we each have the POWER to bring a smile and warm hearts. The temps are cooling, but the fire is […]
Giving Tuesday 2023 - Thanks to all who have donated to make our ADA Accessible Gardens 0.5 mile, three garden loops. Please consider a tax-deductible donation today, Giving Tuesday, or anytime this holiday season. […]
November Events - November Greetings All! Wishing you peace and joy as we enter the holiday season with Thanksgiving Weekend coming soon! Our Thursday morning volunteer Garden Crew is planting spring bulbs, wrapping […]
Topsfield Fair 1st Year Awards! - This Fall 2023 was our first to create a display at the Topsfield Fair Flower Barn. Thanks to Martha Morrison, our Topsfield neighbor and President of Topsfield Garden Club, for […]Plant Donation Thanks! Ellen Dobson of N. Andover - Ellen called during Topsfield Fair week to say she had seen our display and picked up a brochure. She has a 4-season perennial garden at her home, and likes to […]
2023 October Fun & Games - Happy Fall Everyone! We offer pumpkin painting for special needs groups ~ please contact us if you’d like to schedule this activity in our garden. Program Highlights All are welcome, […]
Topsfield Fair: Friday, September 29 – Monday, October 9 - Rest-Stop-Ranch has partnered for the first time with Martha Morrison, to offer a wheelchair-accessible garden display, at the Topsfield Fair’s Flower Barn. The display will be up for the 11 […]
Watch Thursday, 9/21, 5pm or 7pm Newscast, Boston’s WCVB Channel 5 - Erika Tarantal, the anchor and editor for WCVB’s “5 for Good” interviewed several of us here at Rest-Stop-Ranch last week. The story will air Thursday, 9/21, 5pm and 7pm newscasts, […]
2023 Back to School - September mornings and afternoons in the garden are magical. The light shines golden on all flowers, fruits, grasses, and trees. Roses blooming, raspberries ripening, fall perennials popping… Karl’s Fall Project […]
August Activities & Respite Days! - It’s the final days of Summer! Care-partners may want to stop for a moment and ask, “what needs to happen to enjoy some self-care time?” Karl continues building the trail […]
Roses, Lilies, Raspberries, O My! - This July enjoy 100 wheelchair-accessible rose shrubs, lots o lilies, and raspberries ripening each week. All are welcome, free-of-charge, RSVP Required – please call/text Mary (978-887-4202): Join us Saturday, July […]
Accessible Rose Rodeo 2023 - Our Accessible Rose Rodeo is seven years old this year! We have over 100 wheelchair-accessible Rose Shrubs for public enjoyment. All are welcome, free-of-charge, RSVP Required – please call/text Mary […]
Outreach Coordinator Position Available - Do you love our mission to support caregivers and their loved ones through the long-term-care journey? Are you a friendly, outgoing person who enjoys meeting new people? Do you have […]
Lilac Magic 2023 - Our Accessible Lilac Fest is Bursting with Color and Fragrance! Schedule your visit today (call 978-887-4202) for this Mother’s Day Weekend upcoming, or for any garden visit in May. We […]
May: In the Garden: Accessible Lilac Fest! - May is our Accessible Lilac Fest. We have over 50 wheelchair-accessible Lilac Shrubs for public enjoyment. All are welcome, free-of-charge, to schedule a visit with us during the Open Garden […]
April: In the Garden! - Please call or text Mary (978-887-4202) to RSVP for any program, or to inquire about volunteering. All garden programs: RSVP is required at least 24 hours in advance, as parking […]
March Programs Onsite & In the Community - Spring is Coming! Reminder that our Memory Cafe (10AM to 12PM at the Topsfield Library) and the Bonfire event (1PM to 4PM at the Rest-Stop-Ranch) is this Saturday, March 11. […]February Programs Onsite & in the Community - Happy February Everyone! Reminder that our Memory Cafe (10AM to 12PM at the Topsfield Library) and the Bonfire event (1PM to 4PM at the Rest-Stop-Ranch) is this Saturday, February 11. […]
SalemFive Bank Visit & Charitable Donation - Courtney Wilton, branch manager, from the Rowley, MA SalemFive Bank, visited our morning Garden Crew and emerging Accessible Gardens project: Forest Flowers Trail on Thursday, January 19. She brought a […]
New Year 2023 Blessings - Best Wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year 2023. We’re looking forward to supporting more care-partners and folks living with long-term care concerns at our Winter Memory Cafe Program, […]
The Ball is Dropping in NY - You can make a tax-deductible 2022 donation today – or tomorrow before midnight! Think of our friends and family using wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or strollers… now being able to access […] New Year’s Eve 2022 - What are you doing New Year’s Eve? Won’t you please join us in creating an Accessible for ALL Forest Flowers Trail? Holiday 2022 Fundraising Thanks for your support! Ann – […] End of Year Gratitude 2022 - Holiday 2022 Fundraising Thanks for your support! Thanks to all who have responded to our Holiday 2022 request for funding. Our target is $7,500. and we’ve raised $4,959. – almost […]
Happy Holidays 2022 - Wishing All a Very Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas & Joyful New Year Celebrations! Supporting Family Care-Partners Holiday Time can be joyful, and difficult emotionally… when a loved one is recently […]
Happenings This Week! - All Welcome, Free-of-Charge. RSVP with Mary by text or call: 978-887-4202. 12/17 Saturday 4-7pm, Holiday Walk & Wheel, Open House Event Celebrate the Winter Solstice and Holiday Traditions. Enjoy a […]
Memory Cafe, AMC & Stroll Guests Enjoy - December Memory Cafe, 12/10/22 Great conversations happened this month around the coffee table. Most all guests made a pine-cone bird feeder for the birds near their home. We discussed art, […]
Saturday Events 12/10/22 ~ Join us! - All Welcome, Free-of-Charge. RSVP with Mary by text or call: 978-887-4202. 10am Memory Cafe, 2pm Walk & Wheel, 4pm Open House… Winter is here! The birds appreciate our support. At […]
December Events & Fundraising Update! - Happy December! Join us for Holiday Fun this month! All events are free-of-charge. Holiday Walk & Wheel, Open House Events Saturdays, 4-7pm 12/3 12/10 12/17 Enjoy a stroll through 0.25 […]
#GivingTuesday 2022 - Thank You! You have helped raised $2,497. towards our $7,500. holiday goal! We’re depending on supporters like you to reach our 2023 goal to offer wheelchair access to the Forest […]
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend 2022 - Thanksgiving Blessings All! We’re grateful for all friends, guests, donors, mentors, volunteers, and a super team! Fun and free-of-charge holiday events below… RSVP with Mary by text or phone, 978-887-4202 […]
Sat. Memory Cafe & Sun. Veteran’s Stroll - View/Download Flyer .PDF (Topsfield Winter Memory Cafe 2022/23) Please share our events this weekend with family, friends, neighbors, and clients. Our Memory Cafe begins meeting at Topsfield Library Room this […]
November Events - November is Family Caregivers Month. It’s also Native American Heritage Month. Please remember to VOTE on November 8 for the interests of: – Family Care-Partners – Individuals living with Different […]
Happy Dia De Los Muertos! - We pray for and remember our beloved deceased family members Nov 1-2, 2022. It’s also National Family Caregivers Month. Bless all current, past, and deceased family care-partners. November Programs: 11/3 […]
October Events 2022 - Please call or text Mary (978-887-4202) to register for any program below. Programs are free of charge. Donations appreciated. This Thursday, 6pm, we begin again our online Support Group for […]
Fun Events This Weekend! - Heads are rolling at Rest-Stop-Ranch! This Saturday we have a Memory Cafe at 10am-12pm, and AMC Walk & Wheel at 2-5pm. Our Sunday Stroll is 10am – 2pm. All programs […]
Rest-Stop-Ranch at Topsfield Fair, on Military Day - Tuesday, October 4, 10am – 4pm, we were at the Topsfield Fair outreaching to diverse fair-goers, near the Administration Building. It was a windy and cool day. We met lots […]
Join Us at the Topsfield Fair Today, 10/4/22 - Look for the “Rest-Stop-Ranch” table near the Administration Building or the Flower Building. Call or text 978-887-4202 to confirm our location. IN THE GARDEN We’re recruiting Volunteers who’d like to […]
Welcome Fall 2022! - This Saturday 9/24, join us 4-6pm, for a “Meet & Eat”, at the wheelchair-accessible Pear Tree Patio Picnic Area. Bring a brown bag snack or supper, a sense of curiosity […]
Join Us in the Garden! - This weekend is our Saturday Memory Cafe 10am – 12pm, and Sunday Stroll, 10am – 2pm. Enjoy the garden fruits, flowers, birds and fish. Reserve with us by text or […]
September Programs - The single petaled roses are considered more sustainable than most. This type, planted this year, has been very drought tolerant. We are on a summer break now, and will return […]
August Programs: Lilies and Peaches! - Lilies & Peaches ~ Yum! All are welcome, free-of-charge, donations appreciated. Simply text or call Mary to reserve time to enjoy the garden fruits, flowers, and fauna: 978-887-4202. We’re recruiting […] Lilies Begin! July Programs - Lilies, Raspberries, & Peaches ~ Yum! Thanks to Asiatic and Oriental Lily Donations from Roy Christoph this Spring 2022, we have hundreds of wheelchair-accessible lilies in bloom all over the […]Today! 4-6pm: Meet & Eat, with Roses, Mary & Karl - All are welcome to join us for fellowship and enjoying the roses. Bring your own beverage and snack & join us at the Pear Tree Patio. We can discuss your […]
Roses Begin! June Programs - Thanks to Karl’s paver-laying passion and our Rose & Paver Donors over the years, we now have a solid 100 wheelchair-accessible roses for public enjoyment, by reservation. All are welcome […]
Accessible Lilac Fest – 2 More Days! - Lilac Lovers Join us Today, Thursday 5/26, 1-4pm, or Saturday 5/28! Mid-season lilacs are showing great, late-season are beginning to show, and some early-season blooms are still with us if […]
Accessible Lilac Fest – 1 More Week! - Enjoy the lilacs! Free-of-Charge. Donations appreciated. Wheelchair-Accessible trails & outdoor restroom. Perfect small collection (50 wheelchair-accessible plants) for folks with mobility limits, and folks who appreciate quiet intimacy with the […]
Open Garden Today, 1-4pm - Lilacs are fragrant rain or shine! Catch them before they’re zapped by 90 degree heat this coming weekend. Late tulips are blooming beautifully. Japanese and other primroses are gorgeous.
International Lilac Society, Convention Take-Aways 2022 - The 50th Anniversary and Convention of the not-for-profit organization, International Lilac Society (ILS) happened Thursday May 12 – Saturday May 14, 2022, at the Rochester (Pittsford), NY Hilton Garden Inn. […]
Accessible Lilac Fest – 2 more weeks! - Visit the wheelchair-accessible lilacs free-of-charge by appointment. Text or call 978-887-4202 to reserve your time: Tuesday or Thursday, 1-4pm Saturday, 9am – 12pm. 60+ lilac plants total, 50 are wheelchair-accessible. […]
Accessible Lilac Fest – Year 6! - Visit this wheelchair-accessible flower show free-of-charge by appointment. Text or call 978-887-4202 to reserve your time: Tuesday or Thursday, 1-4pm Saturday, 9am – 12pm. 62 plants total, 43 are wheelchair-accessible. […]
Bulb Parade Magic! - Flower Fairies Rejoice! Bounteous bulbs are all around us… species and fringed tulips, double and triple daffodils, miniatures, oriental hyacinths, and more! Visit this wheelchair-accessible flower show free-of-charge by appointment. […]
Happy Earth Day! Happy Spring! - Our Biggest Spring Surprise? The Cottage and Secret Gardens are now Wheelchair- and Walker-Accessible! Big Thanks to Karl’s weekends and week nights labor, Thursday morning volunteers labor, and 2021 financial […]
March Highlights at Spring - Thank you 2021 Donors who responded to our need for pavers at the Cottage and Secret Garden Trails! The first shipment has arrived, and we expect to start the Cottage […]
Tis the Season! - You love gardens and people! You have a few people skills and/or garden skills, You have space in your weekly or monthly schedule and would love to join a team […]
Seasonal Opportunities: Part-Time Work or Volunteering - March Volunteer Info Sessions Pre-register now (e-mail Programs@rest-stop-ranch.org) to receive a Zoom link for a 30-min. informational meeting: Tues. Mar 1, 1pm Tues. Mar 8, 1pm Thurs. Mar 10, 1pm […]
Seasonal Job and Volunteer Opportunities - Our seasonal part-time job and volunteer opportunities are perfect for people who enjoy meeting all ages and abilities in our garden, and are able to commit to helping host guests, […]
This Week at Rest-Stop-Ranch: 3 Weeks to Spring! - Our Bonfire on Sat. Feb 26, 1-4pm, will celebrate 3 weeks to Spring! We will also celebrate Mardi Gras with beads, masks, music and dancing! RSVP at least 24 hours […]
Black History Month, Health & Wellness - This year, the Black History Month theme is Black Health & Wellness. Support, Respite, and Recreation for black care-partners and black families living long-term-care journeys is available here and now, […] What is DEI at RSR? - DEI means Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. RSR means Rest-Stop-Ranch Inc. More on this topic coming soon. Spring is on the way! We are actively recruiting now for a diverse 2022 […]
Recruiting for a Diverse Team in the Garden - It’s nearly mid-February! Spring is on the way! We are actively recruiting now for a diverse 2022 garden hospitality team. We have one job to fill: Coordinator: Outreach & Volunteers, […] Bonfires Welcome Spring: Pre-Register Now! - 3 Saturdays, 1-4pm, we celebrate 6 weeks ’til, 3 weeks ’til, and Spring Arrival! _________ Sat. 2/5; 6 weeks ’til… On this date, we also celebrate Chinese New Year! Sat. […]
Front Garden Loop is Walkable & Wheelable! - Thanks to Karl for awesome snow clearing efforts this morning! The Front Garden Loop’s brick trails are cleared for walking and wheeling. A few hours of sun will clear the […]
Beautiful Blizzard 16″ in Topsfield - We’re digging out the cars and clearing the driveway and main home access paths. Next, we will snow-blow the Front Garden Loop! Enjoy the winter days. Tues/Thurs 1-4pm care-partners and […]
Volunteer Opportunities 2022 - Volunteering is a great way to give back, meet new friends, and learn about new topics of interest. Right now and through February, we’re recruiting volunteers for seasonal and year-round […]
Canceled Due to Covid Surge: Memory Cafe, Topsfield Library 1/8/22 - Due to Covid Surge and likely peak timing, we will not have the program this Saturday at the Topsfield Library, 1st floor Meeting Room. We will re-evaluate the Covid situation […]Happy New Year 2022! - Blessings Everyone! This is going to be a great year in the garden. We have the funding for materials needed to complete the Cottage and Secret Garden wheelchair-accessible trails. We […]
End of Year and New Year: Opportunities! - Thanks to all who’ve helped grow Rest-Stop-Ranch in 2021. There’s still opportunity to make a year-end donation by 1/31/21. If mailing a check, the mail must be postmarked by 1/31/21, […]
Remembering: The Longest Night, 2021 - Thanks to all who joined in remembering and reflecting on how light in the darkness can offer us renewing hope. I was grateful to join two online celebrations last night: […]
Remembering Mom: The Longest Night, 2021 - On Tuesday, December 21, from Dusk to Dawn, we will shine the light for all dealing with dementia or degenerative illness. We lost my mom, Margaret Fraser MacDonald, to FTD*, […]
Holiday Walk & Wheel 2021 Guests - Happy Winter Solstice! Merry Christmas & Healthy New Year! Chao Xie and his elder sister, Jing Xie, from Quincy, MA, along with Kelly Beer, from Salem, MA, joined me and […]
Holiday Walk & Wheel, Sat. 12/18, 4-7pm, Rain or Shine - Enjoy wheelchair-accessible trails and holiday lights in the garden. A wheelchair-accessible port-a-potty is available at the parking area. Light refreshments will be served at the Caretaker’s Cottage. Reservations required, as […]
$5K Holiday Fundraising Goal Met and Matched! - Wow! THANK YOU COMMUNITY! Holiday Funds Raised are now at $5,135! $5K Karl and Mary Match brings holiday running total to $10,135! We are still receiving 2021 End-of-Year Charitable Gifts […]
Topsfield Library Memory Cafe – Sat. 12/11 - Join us free-of-charge, Sat. 12/11, 10am – 12pm, at Topsfield Library – 1st Floor Library Room! Enjoy Fellowship, Coffee & Donuts, and make a Natural Take-Home Craft (This month we’re […] Holiday Walk & Wheel Events – Register Soon! - Enjoy wheelchair-accessible trails and holiday lights in the garden. A wheelchair-accessible port-a-potty is available at the parking area. Light refreshments will be served at the Caretaker’s Cottage. Reservations required, as […]
#GivingTuesday 2021 ~ Update! - Thank You Friends! With your help we are getting closer to our $5,000. funds raised Holiday goal. Here’s a section from Karl’s financial sharing on Facebook.com/reststopranch on 12/5/21. THANKS SO […]
AMC Walk & Wheel is 1st Accessible Trip! - Our 12/4/21, 10am – 12pm AMC Trip: Holiday Walk & Wheel was a Great Success! We had a 1 hour educational slideshow at the Cottage, and then a 1 hour […] Holiday Walk & Wheel Events - Enjoy wheelchair-accessible trails and holiday lights in the garden. A wheelchair-accessible port-a-potty is available at the parking area. Light refreshments will be served at the Caretaker’s Cottage. Reservations required, as […] #GivingTuesday 2021 - Thank You! You have helped raised $3,910. towards our $5,000. holiday goal! We’re depending on supporters like you to reach our 2022 goal to offer a wheelchair-accessible Tree House, Fairy […]
December Events: Holiday Walk & Wheel! - Three opportunities to enjoy our wheelchair-accessible gardens this December! Parking is limited, so please pre-register for any event early. 10am – 12pm, Sat. Dec. 4: AMC TRIP: Walk & Wheel: […]
With Gratitude - We give thanks for all Rest-Stop-Ranch guests, volunteers, donors, mentors, and stakeholders. Together, we are creating a destination in Topsfield that is universally accessible to all ages and abilities, where […]
Thank You, Veterans! - Your service and sacrifices are appreciated more than words can say. Here at Rest-Stop-Ranch, we are aware of the effects of deployment and dwell time on a soldier and their […]Topsfield Winter Memory Cafe Program Begins! - This Saturday, November 13, 10am – 12pm, Join us at Topsfield Library 1st floor Program Room. Enjoy a cup of coffee, and warm fellowship. Make a bulb growing kit for […]
November Events, Volunteers, and Donors - A Warm Wish to All for a Happy Thanksgiving! November 15 marks the 10-Year Anniversary of our wheelchair-accessible MargFMac Front Loop 0.1 mile trail! We are planting hundreds of spring […]
October Events, Volunteers & Donors Update - Visit Rest-Stop-Ranch at the Topsfield Fair, Monday, October 4, 11am – 5pm! It will be Senior Day and also Sensory Day. We will have a nonprofit table, and be either […]Climate Changes with Our Garden Lilacs & You! - Become a Citizen Scientist! Are you interested in how climate change is impacting our local lilac collection? Are you available once-a-week, Thursday mornings, to volunteer as a citizen scientist (all […]
September Events & Volunteer Update - September is World Alzheimer’s Month. Learn more Care-Partner Support Programs Individual Support, by appointment. Group Support, registration required. For care-partners caring for a person under 65 living with FTD or […]
Calling Nature Lovers! - Are you interested in how climate change is impacting our local lilac collection? Are you available once-a-week, Thursday mornings, to volunteer as a citizen scientist (all ages welcome)? We are […] This Weekend: Events in the Garden! - We welcome friends this weekend to enjoy peak summer blooms, and fellowship in our wheelchair-accessible garden. Bring a loved one and a picnic. Free-of-Charge, Donations Appreciated, Reservations Required, please call: […]
Enjoy Lilies! Reservations Available - Oriental, Asiatic, and Chinese Trumpet Lilies… 1000 are in bloom (in memory of Debra Amidon) over several weeks, and are wheelchair-accessible! Our Accessible Lily Fest, Free-of-Charge, Donations Appreciated. Reservations Required: […]
This Weekend: Sat. Memory Café and Sun. Stroll - We welcome friends this weekend to enjoy our Lily Fest and fellowship in our garden. Free-of-Charge, Donations Appreciated, Reservations Required, please call: 978-887-4202. Memory Café in the Garden Saturday morning, […]
Th./Sat. Rose Appointments Available! - This is our final week to offer appointments – free-of-charge – to enjoy our Rose Rodeo – 100 wheelchair-accessible roses! Please call Mary, 978-887-4202, to schedule time Thursday, 6/24, 1-4pm, […]
This Weekend: Sat. Memory Café in the Garden & Sunday Stroll - We welcome friends this weekend to enjoy roses and fellowship in our garden. Free-of-Charge, Donations Appreciated, Reservations Required, please call: 978-887-4202. Memory Cafe in the Garden Saturday morning, 10am – […]
It’s Rose Time! - Roses everywhere are preparing for the greatest show… but only a few near you are wheelchair-accessible! Our Accessible Rose Rodeo (5th Year Anniversary) begins Tuesday, June 8, 1-4pm, Free-of-Charge, Donations […]
Fundraising for Pavers at Cottage Trail: $200 more needed! - Our Accessible Gardens are growing with your financial help! Our next project will begin this coming August – laying brick pavers at the Cottage Garden trail (length = 130 ft), […]Accessible Lilac Fest 2021 - Register soon! Lilac Time is here! Tuesday and Thursday afternoons we offer two 90-minute sessions to choose from: 1:00-2:30pm, or 2:30pm – 4:00pm. Saturday mornings, 9am – 12pm. Free-of-charge. Carry-in/Carry-out […]
It’s Lilac Time! - Likely you’re noticing the lilacs blooming near you! Our Accessible Lilac Fest begins this weekend – Saturday Memory Cafe (free-of-charge) is 10am – 12pm – drop by if you are […]
RSVP: Enjoy our Bulb Parade! - Tuesday and Thursday afternoons we offer two 90-minute sessions to choose from: 1:00-2:30pm, or 2:30pm – 4:00pm. Free-of-charge. Carry-in/Carry-out Picnics. A wheelchair-accessible outdoor restroom is available. Pre-registration required. RSVP Phone: […]
RSVP: Enjoy Early Spring Blooms: Bulbs, Shrubs, and Trees! - Tuesday and Thursday afternoons we offer two 90-minute sessions to choose from: 1:00-2:30pm, or 2:30pm – 4:00pm. Free-of-charge. Carry-in/Carry-out Picnics. A wheelchair-accessible outdoor restroom is available. Pre-registration required. RSVP Phone: […]
RSVP for our Flower Festival ~ Enjoy the Bulb Parade! - It is now early bulb season. Early daffodils and tulips are blooming, along with many other wonderful spring surprises. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 1pm – 4pm, you may reserve up […]
2022 – 5 Year Goal – Phase I – Finished! - Thanks to Karl for the know-how and labor, and two individual donors, Hui Juan and Allen… this past Easter Weekend, we were able work on and finish Phase I of […]
RSVP Online Now for Easter Weekend and April Garden Events! - Online RSVP is now available for all April Events (all free-of-charge), including our opening weekend: April 3, Saturday Memory Cafe, 10am-12pm (6 car limit) April 4, Easter Sunday Stroll, 10am […]
3/13 Memory Café ~ Event Rescheduled to 3/20, 2-4pm, Bonfire! - Spring Greetings everyone! We witnessed our first crocus blooming on the Orchard Ave. this morning! We have a few more spots available for folks interested in joining us for our […]
2 Open Part-Time Positions: Graphic Design & Flower Fest Assistant - Please share with friends who might enjoy working with us a few hours each week! Graphic Design (Year-Round) & Hospitality (Seasonal)… Tuesday, April 6 we begin our Accessible Flower Festival, […]
Welcome Spring! - This morning, 9am – 12pm, Irene and John, two garden volunteers, helped us in the garden: Remove Winter Garden Decor Install Spring Garden Decor Break up Ice Patches on the […]
Accepting Applications Now: Flower Festival Assistant Needed, April – July - Spring is just a few weeks away… Think Bulbs, Lilacs, Roses & Lilies! We are now accepting applications from candidates who would like to join our hospitality team as a […]
Bulbs Begin! - Snowdrops and early daffodils are emerging! It’s great to get outside and notice the small changes in nature, as a way to find some peace and grounding. We are removing […]
Happy Holidays + 2021 Programs - Please stay safe and have fun this holiday season! Below you will find an introduction to our 2021 Support Programs. If you are on our snail mail list, we will […]
Happy Winter Solstice ~ Blessings, Peace & Joy - This shortest day and longest night of the year, we remember the dementia care-partners who are living with chronic stress 24/7. If this is you, we invite you to sprinkle […]
Save this 2021 Date! Jan 9, 10am Memory Cafe via Zoom - Happy Holidays friends! Best wishes for all to have a healthy and happier 2021. We will be meeting new and old friends, and learning to dance while sitting on our […]
This Week ~ Holiday Fun & Drum! - Please share our event flyer: Holiday Walk & Wheel Our Merry Makers Volunteer Crew has set up an awesome display of winter lights in our 3 wheelchair accessible gardens: the […]Save the Date(s) and RSVP! December Programs - All Programs are Free of Charge. Space is limited. Please register ahead with Mary, 978.887.4202 or programs@rest-stop-ranch.org Virtual Memory Cafe: Join us by phone or computer (Zoom) Sat., Dec. 5, […]
Thank You Veterans & Military Families - Here at Rest.Stop.Ranch we know living with chronic stress, and the effects of chronic stress. We know family and group dynamics. We know complicated feelings. Our programs exist as a […] RSVP Today! Sat. Virtual Memory Cafe + Sun. Stroll for Military Families - Please contact me today (call 978.887.4202) if you’d like to join us this weekend for either event: Sat. Memory Cafe or Sun. Stroll/Private Garden Time. Saturday Virtual Memory Cafe, 10am […]
Save the Date & RSVP: Mums the Word for Vets & Military Families - Sunday, November 8, 10am – 2pm, we invite Vets and Military Families to reserve up to 60 min. Private Garden Time in our wheelchair-accessible gardens, free-of-charge. Get out of the […]Weekend Events: Memory Cafe Pumpkin Parade & Sunday Stroll - Dementia Caregiver Stress and Wellbeing Effects is an even more serious issue in this Covid Pandemic. Our programs offer much needed respite, recreation, support, and education. Please RSVP 978.887.4202 if […]
Job Filled: Meet Sharlene! - Sharlene Hemp will be starting at our little-office-that-could on 10/21/20. Currently a pro organizer and formerly working compliance and contracts for IBM in Lexington, MA, she has a ton of […]
Job Opportunity: Part-Time Programs Coordinator, 8 hours/week - This is a great part-time job opportunity for the person needing just a few work hours, or additional work hours, each week. Please e-mail resumes & cover letters to mary […]
Weekend Events: Sat. Memory Cafe & Sunday Stroll - Dementia Caregiver Stress and Wellbeing Effects is an even more serious issue in this Covid Pandemic. Our programs offer much needed respite, recreation, support, and education. Please RSVP 978.887.4202 if […]
Weekend Events: Sat. Memory Cafe & Sunday Stroll - Lilies, Roses, Phlox, Bee Balm, Hydrangea… are in full bloom. Red Raspberries are ripe for picking. Please RSVP 978.887.4202 if you’d like to join us for either event this weekend. […]
2020 Summer Interns Graduate! - Yesterday, Maya and Sam Evans (Masconomet High School students going into their Junior Year) graduated from our summer internship program with 80 volunteer hours! I received cover letters and resumes […]
Private Garden Time: Appointments Available - Enjoy up to 60-min., in our private wheelchair-accessible garden, free of charge, picnics welcome. RSVP Mary, 978.887.4202 Available Appointments: Today, Tuesday, 7/21 1pm -2pm 2pm -3pm 3pm -4pm Thursday, 7/23 […]
Private Garden Time: Appointments Available - Enjoy up to 60-min., in our private wheelchair-accessible garden, free of charge, picnics welcome. RSVP Mary, 978.887.4202 Available Appointments: Today, Tuesday, 7/14 1pm -2pm 2pm -3pm 3pm -4pm Thursday, 7/16 […]
Thanks for helping #ENDALZ - Thanks to all who donated to the Alzheimer’s Association on our behalf these past few weeks and on 6/20. So far, we’ve raised just over $1000. Would be great to […]
Lily Fest! Events This Weekend - Love Lilies? Many are in full bloom now. We have over 1000 bulbs and 18 varieties. You can enjoy: Saturday, 10am – 12pm, Memory Cafe in the Garden Picnics Welcome, […]
6/20 Event Reminder ~ Pre-Register by 5pm Today! - It’s not too late to pre-register if you call me by 3pm with your registration! 978-887-4202. The Longest Day is Sat. June 20, 2020… We are fundraising to #ENDALZ, and […]
Pre-Register for 6/20 Event ~ by Thurs. 6/18, 5pm - The Longest Day is Sat. June 20, 2020… We are fundraising to #ENDALZ, and to help fund the 24/7 Alzheimer’s Association Helpline, Care Consults, and other family support services. – […]
Pre-Register this week for our 6/20 Event! - The Longest Day is Sat. June 20, 2020… We are fundraising to #ENDALZ, and to help fund the 24/7 Alzheimer’s Association Helpline, Care Consults, and other family support services. – […]
Please Donate! Save the Date & Register! Sat. June 20th The Longest Day - Please help #ENDALZ and related dementias with your donation to Alzheimer’s Association. – Donate Online: Visit our Online Donation Page – Donate Offline: View/Print the Offline Donation Form (mail-in by […]
Available 1hr Appointments ~ Private Garden Time! - Simply call ahead, 978.887.4202, if you want to experience the delights of the garden, free of charge. All are welcome. Preference is given to wheelchair-users, care-partners, and people living with […]Lilacs and Tree Peonies! Wow! - “We’re growing the plants to meet the people,” I explained to the two guides from the Arnold Arboretum, Colin and Chris, when they visited last Thursday to see our wheelchair-accessible […]
Happy Lilac Fest! First Day of ‘Late Spring’ Season! - Learning more and more about spring plants, I discovered the plant people organize them into three categories: Early Spring Mid Spring Late Spring I haven’t found it published anywhere yet, […]
Mother’s Day Weekend Programs Online & Onsite - Happy Mother’s Day Weekend to all who are caring for others small and big. Join us for any of the programs below. Peace and Joy ~ Mary Saturday, May 9, […]
Secret Garden is Wheelchair-Accessible! - Just in time for my birthday, Tuesday, 5/5, and Mother’s Day, Sunday, 5/10, Karl prioritized getting the job done. The Secret Garden (featuring many shade plants) ~ is now wheelchair-accessible […] Happy Making the Outdoors Clean, Safe & Accessible… Earth Day! - Sure hope wherever you live today you are able to get out of house and breathe fresh air. This is what we are talking about on Earth Day: Fresh Air! […]Rose Care Volunteer Team Begins! - April 19, 2020 ~ 1st Rose Care Team of 2, volunteer 3 hours! From 11am – 2pm, John and I enjoyed the sunshine and rose care: Planted 2 donated roses! […]
Secret Garden Access Build Continues - Over 2 weekends, Karl finished wooden edging the Secret Garden Accessible Trail. He started with Stone Dust fill and raking Sunday afternoon. Guests and volunteers over the weekend were surprised […]
Reservations are Filling up! Private Time in the Garden – Call or Text! - 30,000 bulbs are blooming now! The earliest bulbs include the early tulips and daffodils, and a supporting cast of wonderful bulbs you may have never heard about. I can’t take […]
Today, 1pm – 4pm and Sat. 9am – 12pm: Book Private Garden Time! - We are designing and developing our wheelchair-accessible gardens primarily as a respite for individuals, couples, and families living a long-term-care story. Who knew that a time like this would come […]
Virtual Memory Cafe in the Garden ~ Works! - Saturday, April 11, 10am – 11:30am, We hosted our first-ever virtual Memory Cafe in the Garden by Phone and online via Zoom videoconferencing! If you’d like to view and/or participate […] Stroll by Private Reservation ~ Works! - We started our 2020 once-a-month “Sunday Stroll” open garden program yesterday, Easter Sunday. The usual hospitality hours 11am – 2pm, were extended on both ends (10am – 4:30pm) to accommodate […] What’s Blooming: This Week Beginning 040620 - We welcome a limited number of guests to come and enjoy the early spring blooms on Thursday morning, 4/9/20, or Saturday morning, 4/11/20, 9am – 12pm. If you wish to […]
What’s Blooming: This Week Beginning 033020 - We welcome a limited number of guests to come and enjoy the early spring blooms on Thursday morning, 4/2/20, or Saturday morning, 4/4/20, 9am – 12pm. If you wish to […]
Virtual Support Group via Zoom, 3/26, 6pm - This Thursday evening we will be hosting our first ever online support group for FTD and Young Onset ALZ care-partners. If you or a friend, North of Boston, is this […]
100 Wheelchair-Accessible Roses: Composted! - Monday morning I finished composting 100 wheelchair-accessible roses in the MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 mi.). Each shrub received 2-3 inches of compost. I hope this deters the unwanted Rose […]
National Hort Therapy Week a Success Here! - Thanks to John Coulon of Lynn and Collette Hanlon of Rowley for braving the elements on Thursday, 3/19, and again on Saturday, 3/21, to participate in our first week of […]
Get Dirty in the Garden: 1 of 11 Spring Sessions - Happy Spring! Our 1st Hort Therapy session of 2020 was fun, social, and stimulating for the senses: body, mind, and spirit! Collette, John, and I: A. Moved the hospitality furniture […]
Happy Spring 2020! - Getting Stir Crazy? Get Outside! It’s National Horticultural Therapy Week. #AmHortTherapy #NationalHTweek #HTweek2020 #AmHortTherapy2020 #HorticulturalTherapy #TherapeuticHorticulture It’s the first day of Spring, and the first day of our “Get Dirty […] Preparing to Get Dirty in the Garden…. Thursday, March 19, 9am! - Viruses hate the sunshine! And Rose Midges hate compost dressing 2″-3″ It’s National Horticultural Therapy Week! Get Outside and Enjoy! We are excited to begin our Spring Season (11 weeks) […]
100 Wheelchair-Accessible Roses: Cleared & Cleaned-up! - A great sunny and warm day to be out tending to the roses in our garden… 100 are now wheelchair-accessible thanks again to our 2019 paver donors and Karl’s excellent […]1 Week Til Spring 2020 - Snowdrops, Rock Iris, and Crocuses are now blooming in the garden! A few daffs have formed flower heads… we expect these to pop open within the next couple days. Starting […]
2 Weeks Til Spring 2020 - This past weekend, we removed the hay from the tulip bulb beds. Karl then mulched the hay and put a dusting back onto the beds. On Tuesday, I fertilized these […]
3 Weeks Til Spring 2020 - What a day Monday was – it reached 62 at our home. This past Saturday morning, 9am – 12pm, John and Audra, our winter crew volunteers in the garden, helped […]
Drum Play! 6 of 6 Sessions, Tonight! - It’s the last session of our six week series and we’re celebrating Mardi Gras! Drum Play for All Abilities & All Ages is tonight. Space is limited but we could […]
4 Weeks Til Spring 2020 - Join us Thursday, Feb 20, 10:30am – 11:30am, at the Rowley Library, to learn more about Rest.Stop.Ranch programs, our new nonprofit & tax exempt status, and volunteer opportunities! This Thursday […]
Drum Play! 5 of 6 Sessions, Tonight! - Drum Play for All Abilities & All Ages is tonight. Space is limited but we could likely fit 1-2 more people… If you are eager to join us – Call […]Change Your Settings ~ RSS+ ~Website moving from .com to .org - Hi Friends! Since Rest-Stop-Ranch has become a nonprofit organization as of January 15, 2020… we are moving the website rest-stop-ranch.com to rest-stop-ranch.org This change will happen Monday afternoon, 2/17/20. Please […]
5 Weeks Til Spring 2020 - Wed morn. Look for the colorful lanterns just above the wheelchair-accessible paved trail. Red lanterns begin and end the cut – through our Broken Heart Patio. Are you interested in […]
Memory Cafes Get Noticed by Media - Our Next Topsfield, MA Memory Cafe is Saturday, March 14, 10am – 12pm: Make a Sun Hat for Spring and Summer Outdoor Fun! People Article Re Memory Cafes in USA […]
Drum Play! 4 of 6 Sessions, Tonight! - Hey Ya’ll! We are really having a great time at Drum Play Tuesday evenings. All Abilities & All Ages. Space is limited but we could likely fit 1-2 more people… […]
Reeds on the Road Just Served Rest.Stop.Ranch! - The Reed Family of 5 (mom, dad, and 3 sons, ages 14, 16, and 22), from Fairfield, CA, found Rest.Stop.Ranch volunteer opportunities on the website justserve.org The dad, Keith, called […]
6 Weeks Til Spring 2020 - Hope to see you soon ~ Volunteer Info Session, at the Topsfield Library, Meeting Room Today! Thurs. Feb. 6, 10:30am – 11:30am Memory Cafe at Topsfield Library, Meeting Room Sat. […]
Volunteer Info Sessions ~ This Month! - Volunteering is good for the mind, body, and spirit! Get involved, make new friends, and contribute to a great cause! Volunteer opportunities at Rest.Stop.Ranch include: Outreach: Help spread the word […]
Drum Play! 3 of 6 Sessions, Tonight! - Join us tonight or any Tuesday evening, through Feb 25. All ages & abilities welcome free-of-charge. Our drum collection is funded by MA DDS. The program is hosted at our […]
Events This Week ~ Feb 3-8 ~ 2020 - All abilities and all ages are welcome to join us, free-of-charge. Drum Play! 2/4/20 Tuesday, 6:30-8pm At the Caretaker’s Cottage at Rest.Stop.Ranch Call if planning to come. Space is limited. […]
7 Weeks Til Spring 2020 - Now is burning season. So far we’ve had 2 burn days to clean up the back woods fallen trees. Our next burn will be Feb 8, and we invite friends […] Drum Play! 2 of 6 Sessions, Tonight! - Join us tonight or any Tuesday evening, through Feb 25. All ages & abilities welcome free-of-charge. Our drum collection is funded by MA DDS. The program is hosted at our […]8 Weeks Til Spring 2020 - Are you interested in helping us with Gardens, Programs, Office or Outreach? Volunteer Info Sessions will be held in February: At the Topsfield Public Library, Meeting Room Thurs. Feb. 6, […]
501c3 are We! - Just before the 6:30pm Drum Play program last night, Karl and I sorted the mail and discovered a letter from the IRS. This was the letter we have been awaiting […] Drum Play! 6-week Series Starts Tonight, 6:30 – 8pm - Join us tonight or any Tuesday evening, through Feb 25. All ages & abilities welcome free-of-charge. Our drum collection is funded by MA DDS. The program is hosted at our […]
Winter Fun Events Flyer - Today we’re picking up our winter burn permit from the Topsfield Fire Dept. We welcome friends to a winter burn/Mardi Gras party on Feb. 8, 1pm – 3pm. Our snow […] Drum Play – Jan 21 – Feb 25 - Join us on Tuesday evenings from Jan 21 – Feb 26 (6 weeks). All abilities and all ages welcome, free of charge. Experience not necessary. Drums are provided. Have Fun […]
Happy New Year 2020! Join Us for Fun, Tea, Pipes and Drums! - Twelve Days of Christmas concludes with 12th Day and Night on Sunday, January 5. We will celebrate the end of Christmastide and Epiphany with two events: Saturday, January 4, 1pm […]
10-Years Accessible Gardens Development Celebrated! - Wendy was one of our first guests at our 2011 Holiday Walk and Wheel. It was so neat that she and Niya had the energy after a long day at […]
Join Us! Saturday, 3-8pm, Holiday Open House, Walk and Wheel - Here’s an Invitation to a Party this Saturday- All are Welcome, Free-of-Charge. This Saturday, 12/21, 3-8pm, we will celebrate the 10-year birthday of our Gardens and the wheelchair-accessible MargFMac Front […]
December Hope and Comfort Events - All events are free-of-charge. Please share these opportunities with friends who may benefit! 12/12: Caring for a Person with Memory Loss Under 65? Group Support for Care-Partners Under 65 Thursday, […]
Thank You for Our Freedom - Vets, Military and First Responders: Thanks for all you do to keep us safe and free. At our event yesterday, we didn’t see any of you, but know you are […]
Vet and Military Families: Stroll this Sunday, 11am – 2pm - Sunday, 11/10, 11am – 2pm, is our final Sunday Stroll (a.k.a. Open Garden) of this 2019 growing season. Individuals, Couples, and Families may explore our wheelchair-accessible gardens or warm up […]
Fall Garden Cleanup: Volunteers Wanted! - Interested in raking leaves, picking up sticks, planting bulbs? All are welcome: Saturday, November 2 or 9, 9am – 12pm Thursday, November 7 or 14, 9am – 12pm Sunday, November […]
First Memorial Service in Our Garden - Karen DeCoster of Georgetown, family, and friends remembered her Dad, George Anop on Saturday, October 19, 11am – 12pm, at our Broken Heart Patio. The service opened with welcoming comments […]
Thanks NERS for Roses and Mentoring! - Our friends from the New England Rose Society (NERS), David Cannistraro and his assistant Lynne McHugh planted 8 roses, Wednesday, October 16. This is the 3rd year NERS has sponsored […]
Join Us This Weekend! Sat. Memory Café and Sunday Stroll - Memory Café in the Garden® 10/12, Saturday, 10am – 12pm: All welcome free-of-charge, picnics welcome (or bring your own snacks), Coffee and Tea are provided. If cold, rain, or wind, […]
Volunteer INFO Session + Weekend Programs - Would you like to learn more about Rest.Stop.Ranch? Do you know a friend who may be interested in volunteering? Right now we’re recruiting volunteers for our Winter Once-a-month Memory Cafe […]
Outreach at Topsfield Fair's Senior Day 2019 - For a second year, we joined other community groups and nonprofits for a day of outreach at the Topsfield Fair. We reconnected with old friends, answered questions, and invited folks […]
Upcoming October Events! - Roses and Raspberries are still going strong with the warm weather we’ve been having. All are welcome free of charge to pick the raspberries Thursday morning, 9am – 12pm. Please […]
Volunteer INFO Sessions This Week + Raspberries! - Would you like to learn more about Rest.Stop.Ranch? Do you know a friend who may be interested in volunteering? We will have two information sessions this week. Please share! Volunteer […]
Sweet Autumn Equinox - Karl expects more pallets of pavers to arrive today. He aims to complete three projects: ‘H is for Hospitality’ connecting the Pear Tree Patio to the Heart Break Patio. Continue […]
Pick Raspberries Thursday or Saturday Morning - We have a bumper crop of red raspberries! This Thursday and Saturday, 6:30am – 8am, you may pick your own free-of-charge. Please bring your own container. Our Raspberry Patch is […]
Saturday and Sunday, 9/14-15/19, Memory Cafe and Sunday Stroll in the Garden - Join us this Saturday or Sunday, All are Welcome, Free-of-Charge. Picnics Welcome. Enjoy a stroll in the garden, a picnic, smelling the roses, picking peaches or raspberries. Saturday, 10am – […]
Building Access to Smell the Roses - We are building wheelchair-access to smell the roses. As far as we know, these are the only wheelchair-accessible roses at any garden in our region, accessible to the public during […]Open Garden Day on the Longest Day + Saturday! - Summer Greetings All! We welcome all guests free-of-charge Friday, 6/21, 10am – 4pm and Saturday, 6/22, 10am – 2pm. Picnics are welcome. Come and smell the roses! 80 rose bushes […]
My Respite to Roses Story - Today we are making a field trip with our roses to the Carroll Center for the Blind, in Newton, MA. We’ve prepared about 40 roses in cups for the students […]
Are You A Veteran?…with Memory Loss or Wheels? You're Welcome Here - This Tuesday and Thursday, 2pm – 4pm, Smell the Lilacs, the Tree Peonies, the White Wisteria Tree…Pack a Picnic & Enjoy at our Wheelchair-Accessible Picnic Table… — All Welcome, Free […]
Smell the Lilacs! Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2pm – 4pm - All are Welcome, Free of Charge to smell the lilacs on these dates, beginning today! This week: May 21 (Tues) and 23 (Thurs), 2pm – 4pm Next week: May 28 […]
Lilacs Peaking Now! Schedule a Private Tour - The lilacs are coming into peak bloom (before and after Memorial Weekend is peak time). If you love lilacs, please contact me to schedule your private tour, free-of-charge, donations gratefully […]
Daffodil Ribbons Prompt Storytelling in the Garden - Last week, Thursday, May 9 and 10, we won 4 blues, 6 reds, and 8 yellows at the Daffodil Show at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. I installed color ribbons near […]
Mother's Day Weekend Garden Events! - Join us this weekend for one of our events: Saturday, May 11, 10am – 12pm, Memory Cafe in the Garden Sunday, May 12, 11am – 2pm, Sunday Stroll What: Enjoy […]
2019 National Respite Conference – Take Aways - Karl and I traveled to Buffalo, NY this week (April 30 – May 2) to attend the 2019 National Respite Conference. Our flight schedule connected us through Philadelphia, PA where […]
Get Dirty in the Garden! Horticultural Therapy Today, 9am – 12pm - Today, 9am – 12pm, volunteers will help: 1. Refill bird feeders 2. Stack bricks near work area 3. Weed garden beds 4. Maintain trails with hurry hoe and soft rake […]
This Week: April 15 – 21, 2019 - A Holy Week for Christians. We offer a “Stations and Chowda” Friday program, 5pm – 7pm, for anyone of any spiritual tradition interested in experiencing 15 Stations: The 6 Ways […]
Getting Dirty with NE ARC Day Program - Our April 11 Volunteers Get Dirty in the Garden program had three volunteers from the Danvers-based NE ARC Day Program, in addition to one other volunteer, Jean, and our program […]
Reminder: Programs this Weekend, Thursday-Saturday - Many of our early bulbs are now up and blooming. Join us Anytime, Thursday-Saturday: Thursday – 4/11, 9am – 12pm, Get Dirty in the Garden, RSVP required. Thursday – 4/11, […]
This Week: April 8-14, 2019 - Tete a Tete daffodils are the first of fifty-six daffodil types to bloom in our gardens (see them on the south-facing Orchard Avenue). The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) classifies this […]
Thank You Volunteers! - This past weekend, April 6 and 7, we were blessed with the presence of many volunteers. Saturday, 4/6/19 morning garden helpers included: 8:45 am, arrived Dick, a WW2 Veteran and […]
This Week: April 1-7, 2019 - Happy April 1! 10,000 bulbs are emerging now in our gardens. Our 2019 Bulb Parade is in memory of John Hanlon of Rowley, MA, who passed 3/19/18 from Frontotemporal Degeneration […]
Day 7 of 7: Horticultural Therapy Week, Spring has Sprung! - A review of our first “National Horticultural Therapy Week,” March 17 – 23, 2019. It’s great to belong to a national movement and organization, American Horticultural Therapy Association – working […]
Day 6 of 7: Horticultural Therapy Week, Spring has Sprung! - Wow! A Brilliant Success! At our first-ever Volunteers Get Dirty in the Garden/Hort Therapy Thursday Program: Everyone (7 total) was able to park. Open spaces were left to plan and […]
Day 5 of 7: Horticultural Therapy Week, Spring has Sprung! - Join us today, 9am – 12pm for our Volunteers/HORT Therapy “Get Dirty in the Garden” first session. Today, we are working on winter cleanup and trail maintenance. You can be: […]
Day 4 of 7: Horticultural Therapy Week, Spring has Sprung! - Happy Spring Equinox! We’ve noticed several snowdrops and three yellow crocuses now in bloom along the Orchard Ave. At our Thursday morning Volunteers/HORT Therapy “Get Dirty in the Garden” program, […]
Day 3 of 7: Horticultural Therapy Week, Spring has Sprung! - This photo shows our Pear Tree Patio, and wheelchair-accessible picnic table. This is where the Observation Group will sit and enjoy bird watching and bulbs emerging on Thursday mornings! We […]
Day 2 of 7: Horticultural Therapy Week, Spring has Sprung! - For hours this past Saturday, I was on hands and knees clearing leaf litter covering the beds where we’ve planted spring bulbs. I started the clearing with a metal rake […]
Day 1 of 7: Horticultural Therapy Week, Spring has Sprung! - Happy St. Patrick’s Day! May the luck of the Irish be with you! I didn’t find any four-leaf clover, but I did find snowdrops in the Upper East Lawn Garden. […]
Thanks for the Memories: Topsfield Memory Cafe at River Rd. Finishes at Town Hall 3/16/19 - We finished our 5-month Indoor Memory Cafe winter season at the Town Hall Saturday, 10am – 12pm, 3/16/19. Everyone was invited to make a sun hat for Spring garden enjoyment. […]
Today, 10am – 12pm, Memory Cafe at Topsfield Town Hall - Topsfield Winter Memory Café Flyer 2018-2019[/caption]Join us today at 10am -12pm, to make a sun hat for Spring! Meet friends and celebrate Spring has arrived – or simply stop by […]
Accessible Port-a-Potty Delivered! Spring has Arrived! - Friday, March 15 ~ Our Port-a-Potty was delivered and perfectly positioned between the utility pole and the large tree trunk by John from Dave’s Septic, Manchester, NH. Thanks to Memory […]
Volunteer Orientation: "Get Dirty in the Garden" - Horticultural volunteers came together from 9am – 11am today for a volunteer orientation to our new “Get Dirty in the Garden” program. We met in the Caretaker’s Cottage for introductions […]
"Get Dirty in the Garden" Volunteer Orientation Today, 9-11am - Are you interested in joining us most weeks, Thursdays, 9am -12pm, for a little horticultural therapy? Our orientation for this program is today, 9am – 11am. The orientation will include: […]
Cancelled: Tuesday Night Drum Play 3/12 - Please share: Our Drum Play tonight, 3/12, is cancelled. Despite our efforts to clear the ice on the access trail into our home – we do not feel the trail […]
Drum Play, Last Session Tonight, 6:30 – 8pm, 8 of 8 weeks - Join us tonight for our final Drum Play session of this wintertide. All ages & abilities welcome. Free of charge. RSVPs appreciated. If you are interested in joining us for […]
National Horticultural Therapy Week is March 17-23 - We are getting ready to celebrate National Horticultural Therapy Week, which is also the First Week of Spring, March 17-23! Some of the fun activities we will practice during week […]
Danvers MA DDS Hogan Regional Guests in the Garden this Season - Karl and I are very happy to share with you that Individuals and Professional Care-Partners from the Hogan Regional DDS long-term-care facility in Danvers, MA will be visiting and helping […]
Drum Play Mardi Gras Party! 6:30pm – 8:00pm - Join us tonight for a Drum Play Mardi Gras Party! We’ll have our usual improvisational drum play program, with Mardi Gras refreshments. Costumes optional! The access trail into our home […]
Now Interviewing ~ 2019 Spring, Summer & Fall Interns - Spring is here, despite the snow! The high today, 41, will melt most of what we didn’t catch with the snowblower or snow shovel. We are in full swing with […]
March 2 Memory Cafe Rescheduled for March 16 - Due to the impending snow storm, we have cancelled tomorrow’s Memory Cafe at 124 River Road. We will plan on meeting for Hat Making at the Town Hall COA Program […]
First Snowdrop! March Programs Begin! - Happy March 1st! Spring officially arrives in 19 days! Join us for any of these upcoming events: March 2, Sat. 10am – 12pm. Memory Cafe at 124 River Road, Topsfield […]
Four Volunteer Opportunities ~ New Process! - The Four Volunteer Opportunities Are: A. HORTICULTURE/Garden Help – Get Dirty in the Garden – weekly, Thursdays, 9am – 12pm B. HOSPITALITY/Programs Help – Saturday Memory Café and Sunday Stroll […]
That's Dedication! Mid-Winter Burns Continue - In the pouring cold rain for hours (9am ’til 3:30pm)…Karl manned two forest piles earlier today, 2/24. I visited with him for about an hour – then headed back towards […]
Get Dirty in the Garden – New Weekly HORT Volunteer Program - Spring is Coming! Just over 2 weeks until March 14 – our Volunteer Orientation date for the new “Get Dirty in the Garden” Thursday morning volunteer program, which will run […]
Reminder: Sat. 2-23 Vol. INFO Session Plus Witch Hazel! - Join us Saturday, 2-23-19, at the Rowley Library, 10:30am – 11:30am, for our only Saturday Volunteer INFO Session, scheduled specifically to meet the needs of people only available evenings and […]
Best Groove Yet at Our Drum Play! - Last night Karl and I hosted four guests at the Drum Play session in our Great Room. Their feedback: “Nice people work here. Nice job. You fix it up nice. […]Tonight! Tues. Night Drum Play, 6:30-8pm - Join us tonight for Drum Play, 6:30-8:00pm. Please call if it is your first time coming to the program: 978-887-4202. Peace & Good, Mary
Cancelled: Tuesday Night Drum Play 2/12 - Dear All: Considering the messy weather forecast for 2/12 Tuesday evening, we will cancel our planned Drum Play program. Stay safe and warm! Join us next Tuesday! We have 4 […]
Spring is Coming! Volunteer INFO Sessions Begin! - Look for this sign today at the Rowley Library. For the first time, we are holding four information sessions about four volunteer opportunities at Rest.Stop.Ranch: 1. Gardens- Maintain & Build […]
Spring is Coming! Volunteer at Rest.Stop.Ranch! - Our gardens and programs are growing and we need your help! The four areas we are recruiting volunteers are: 1. Gardens- Maintain & Build 2. Programs – Host Guests 3. […]Mid-Winter MardiGras Burn 2/2 - Winter Burn InviteIt’s Confirmed! We’re Burning Today, from 1pm – 4pm! Join Us! We’re hosting friends for our annual mid-winter burn. This event is to burn brush piles in the […]
Introducing Kim Love, Programs Coordinator - Since September 2018, Kim Love of Topsfield, MA, USA has been working with us part-time each week as a Programs Coordinator. She is helping with office administration, outreach, and events […]Drum Play! Jan 22 – Mar 12, Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00PM - For 8 weeks this winter, we are offering at our home in Topsfield the opportunity to play with the wonderful drum collection we have (purchased for our Memory Cafe in […]
Our Gift for Dementia Caregivers: Free Programs, Year-round - We’ve updated the information kiosk near our 202 Haverhill Rd. mailbox, to include a more direct message of love and hope: For Dementia Caregivers! Free-of-Charge Year-round Programs! Our survivor’s mission […]
Winter is Here! Holly Red Berries - The holly and the ivy -offer perennial warmth and sustenance during this barren time. Gardens are, mostly, cleaned-up and winterized. Still a few rose shrubs at the cottage needing compost […]
New Site! Practice Patience Please - Dear Friends, We’ve updated our website software for greater usability and functionality. The new site has been live for 24 hours now. Over the next few weeks we are tweaking […]
Energizing & Relaxing: Drum Circle Memory Café - We enjoyed getting into the groove this past weekend: Saturday, December 15, 10am – 12pm, at our Topsfield Memory Café at Trinity Church. A total of 16 joined our circle. […]
Sharing Our Roots Memory Café - November 3, 2018 was our first indoor Topsfield Memory Café at Trinity Church (this 2018-2019 season). It was a good chance for the new volunteer team to bond, as zero […]
Uncle Mal Passes from Young Onset ALZ, 9-28-18 - 7-31-43 to 9-28-18. Malcolm Bryant Fraser, a life-long science educator, was the younger brother of my mom, Margaret Ellen, a […]
Pear Tree Patio Espalier Trellis Project Complete - About a month ago, I shared with Karl a vision I had to espalier the pear trees… the espalier design would be more beautiful and functional for our guests. The […]
Pavers and Peaches! Stop by & Say Hi, Today, 10am – 2pm! - Peaches are super ripe for picking. There are still several on the tree for our friends to pick – please stop by today, say hi, and pick peaches! Also ripe […]Memory Café and Sunday Stroll this Weekend – 8/18-19! - Pack a picnic and plan to enjoy summer’s gifts in the garden this weekend: Saturday, 10am – 12pm, Memory Café in the Garden® For people with memory loss and care-partners. […]
Today, 11am – 2pm, Join Us at the Caretaker's Cottage - Come to the Caretaker’s Cottage today to enjoy fellowship, coffee or tea, and two types of raspberry pies – load as much or as little cream on top as you […]
Horticultural and Hospitality Volunteers Wanted! - Do you love the outdoors? Do you love our mission to make the outdoors accessible for all people? Do you have a few hours each month or each week you’d […]
Wheelchair-Accessible Raspberries – U-Pick! - Independent wheelchair-users and wheelchair-users needing a care-partner’s assistance will delight in picking ripe raspberries in our accessible raspberry patch. Priority picking time for these groups is tomorrow, Saturday, 10am – […]
Accessible Roses Awarded at Rose Show - It was our first year entering our Wheelchair-Accessible Roses in the annual New England Rose Society (NERS) Rose Show, held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Sunday, June 24, 8am […]
6/21, 10am – 4pm, Open Garden Day on the Longest Day - SPECIAL EVENT: 6/21, 10am – 4pm: Open Garden Day on the Longest Day. Stop by anytime during this event to: Enjoy our Wheelchair-Accessible Gardens Experience our Memory Café in the […]
Free Programs for Care-Partners! June Updates - GROUP SUPPORT: “I was dying for information and support when I found (and joined) this group…” a member from our dementia-caregiver support group emphatically expressed recently. Dementia Care-Partners: please know […]
First COA Group Picnic: Danvers, MA, 6/12/18 - They loved it. 10 residents, 3 staff. All ambulated to the picnic table, some used canes or walkers. 9 of 13 ambulated around the 0.1mile Front Garden Loop and to […]
Memory Café Today! Smell the Roses! - Today, 10am – 12pm, visit us! We welcome all Dementia Care-Partners and survivors of dementia-care. We welcome anyone with memory hiccups or questions. We welcome individuals with developmental disability + […]June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month - Please, help us raise funds to support the great works of Alzheimer’s Association! Visit Our MaryMac Missions Longest Day Online Team Page We’ll also be taking cash and check donations […]
SeniorCare Inc. Visit - A couple of weeks ago, we were at an EXPO for NorthShore seniors, with the MA State Agency who oversees our Northeast Region: SeniorCare Inc. The CEO, Scott Trenti, said […]
Tree Peonies Begin and End - Bummer! It’s so unfortunate that the tree peonies’ blooms last such a short time! Here are some of the gorgeous photos I captured over the past two weeks when they […]
Access Improved to Outhouse & Cottage - Dan Jackson and helper Matt helped us install a stone-dust driveway yesterday, 5/21/18. In the morning, Bentley Warren Trucking out of Ipswich delivered a tri axle of stone dust near […]
Koi Pond Grows Roses - When changing out our cut flowers in the home, I noticed new growth on the stems of the cut roses. I’m now experimenting to see if these roses will grow […]
Kiosk Flower Show Installed - Monday, May 21, 7am, I installed our “Kiosk Flower Show.” I aim to update the show daily with fresh flowers from our garden, and provide identification for public education. We […]
5/19/18 Making Memories with Lilacs & Goats - Saturday, 5/19, 10am – 12pm, the weather was beautiful. We were able to host our Memory Café in the Garden®, in the 0.1 mile MargFMac Front Garden Loop. Guests enjoyed […]
All People Accessible ~ Survey Started 5/17/18 - Deborah and Abby from the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann visited yesterday, 5/17/18, from 11am – 12pm, to perform an “All People Accessible Business” survey. […]
Rain or Shine: Memory Café in the Garden - Tomorrow, Saturday, 5/19, 10am – 12pm, we will host our Memory Café in the Garden®. We will open the Caretaker’s Cottage, for people wishing to stay warm and out of […]
North Shore Alzheimer's Partners Visit - Since 2010 I’ve been a member of the North Shore Alzheimer’s Partnership. Historically, it’s been a group of mostly business people involved in serving families dealing with dementia, who meet […]
Lilac Fest Begins May 13 - Join us on Mother’s Day, May 13, 11am – 2pm, for our Lilac Fest and continuing Bulb Parade! All are welcome, free-of-charge. This is one of our Sunday Stroll events, […]
April Showers Grow Inclusion & Access - Our Saturday, 4/21, Memory Café in the Garden® hosted six participants, five volunteers, and one staff member. Four of the participants were from the L’Arche Community in Haverhill, Dan (staff/driver), […]
Extreme Gardening - Getting ready to host our April 21 and 22 events next weekend… we spent most of the weekend burning storm fall, pruning rose plants (Saturday) and spreading compost in the […]
Doubling Down on Daffodils - It’s becoming more and more clear to us the vole war we’re in. Over the winter, they ate 20% of the 2017 new rose plants, and appear to have eaten […]
Grow Spring Expo Take-Aways - Take the Wheelchair-accessible entrance and find us in the first room on the left, the Emerson Center Chapel. This was our location for a second year, at the local Topsfield […]
Daffs Emerging - We love daffodils here, especially because they can grow and multiply without vole and deer interference. Researching yesterday online, I came across the American Daffodil Society. I’ve contacted the local […]
Easter Egg Hunt Take-Aways 2018 - Happy Easter Monday! For a first-ever Egg Hunt – All ages, All abilities – we had a great spring celebration with old and new volunteers, Marlene and Ethel, new friends, […]
Easter Weekend Events: Friday Stations & Sunday Stroll - Anyone interested in learning more about the Stations of the Passion and Resurrection is welcome to join us, tonight, Friday, at 5pm for a contemplative practice (walking or sitting, outside […]
Compost Delivered! - We’re gonna have a great time spreading this black gold over the garden beds soon. We’re planting a new Lavender Festival 2018, new trees, new roses, and a new carnation […]
0.1 Mile Garden Trail Made Accessible Again - Yesterday, at our Spring Cleanup Day, Karl and I (no one volunteered to help in 30 degrees!) cleared two areas along the 0.1 mile MargFMac Front Garden Loop in our […]
Happy Spring! Stations + March-April Flyers - Our fourth Nor’easter is amounting to four additional inches here at our home. I include a few fun photos from this morning, as well as one from yesterday showing Dave’s […]
We're Wearin' the Green! - Meet us and fellow Celts at the Bunratty Tavern in Reading… Pipes and Drums at 2pm! It was great to find this “Useful Retro” embroidered Irish linen table “doily” at […]
Storm Updates from Rest.Stop.Ranch - The wind’s movin’ the house and us. Through the gray-white swirls the trees sway. The cardinals, juncos, and squirrels are unfazed. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and […]
Spring is Nearing ~ Nor'easters Be Gone! - A sunny morning we’re enjoying before another storm hits us- expected tomorrow. This storm is likely the last as the power of Spring will not be stopped! Here’s a few […]Today's (Mar 3) Memory Café Cancelled - Hi All, Please be aware we’ve cancelled the 10am – 12pm Memory Café today due to the Nor’easter. The Topsfield Cultural Council-sponsored program scheduled for today – making sun hats […]
1st Snowdrops in the Rainbow Garden! - First Snowdrops in the Rainbow Garden This Saturday: March 3, 10am – 12pm, Memory Café at 124 River Road, Topsfield Make an Easter Bonnet/Sun Hat to wear at our April […]
Witch Hazel "Chantal" in Full Bloom - We have five or six newly planted witch hazel plants throughout the gardens. This one, “Chantal,” is offering the best show right now in the Secret Garden. Other fun news… […]
Mid-Winter Mardi Gras Burn/Light is Returning! - On Saturday, Feb 3, 1pm – 4pm, we hosted a Mid-winter Mardi Gras Burn for all of our friends connected with our cause and programs. The 15′ by 10′ burn […]
An Inclusive Partner Yoga Memory Café: Take-aways - Our Saturday Memory Café had 16 participants (8 partners) join us for Partner Yoga fun. The room was set-up with two parallel chair lines, and guests quickly found partners if […]
Today! Memory Café and Mid-Winter Mardi-Gras Burn - Join us! All ages welcome. TODAY: Feb 3, 10am – 12pm Where: Trinity Church, 124 River Road, Topsfield, MA (Wheelchair-Accessible) What (Title): Memory Café: Share the Love with Partner Yoga […]
Reminder: Feb 3 Memory Café and Mid-Winter (Mardi Gras) Burn - Please join us tomorrow, Saturday, Feb 3 In Topsfield: At Trinity Church and/or At our home, Rest.Stop.Ranch, to celebrate LOVE and HOPE via a non-verbal communication workshop and a Bonfire! […]
Feb 3 Memory Café and Mid-Winter Burn - Please join us on Saturday, Feb 3 In Topsfield: At Trinity Church and/or At our home, Rest.Stop.Ranch, to celebrate LOVE and HOPE via a non-verbal communication workshop and a Bonfire! […]
Thanks for your Holiday Contributions! + Winter Programs! - Spring is 10 Weeks Away Spring arrives March 20. Our Rest.Stop. bench is not quite white-outed. Look closely to see the eastern sun piercing through the pines. Fundraising for 2022: […]Dance Into the New Year: Jan 20, Memory Café - Dear All, Due to the weather, please note that our Memory Café program for January has been rescheduled from January 6 (tomorrow) to January 20, 10am – 12pm, at Trinity […]
Merry Christmas to All: Flora, Fauna, and Feeble Humans - Our holiday season started with an invitation to our Topsfield Council on Aging Holiday Party, December 7. This is where some of us at the end of the party were […]
Support Report: Drum Circle Memory Café - Our Drum Circle Memory Café program on Saturday hosted a party of nearly 30. One third of the group were individuals and dementia-care duos, 1/3 were L’Arche community members, and […]
Advent, Weeks 2 and 3 ~ Joyful Connections - All are invited to my version of a community holiday party: I’m facilitating drum circle tomorrow, Saturday, 10am -12pm, at 124 River Road, Trinity Church Topsfield, in the “COA room”. […]
Advent, Week 1 ~ Keeping Watch - The Gardens have been put to rest. The Winter Red Winterberry plants are peaking. Just a few weeks ago, we swapped plants in this bed: the Montauk Daisies are now […]
Topsfield Holiday on the Green, Wrapped-up - Saturday, December 2, 3pm – 7pm, Karl and I were invited to set our table up in the non-profit room for our town’s Holiday on the Green event. Our table […]
Topsfield Holiday on the Green ~ Sat. Dec 2, 3pm – 7pm - Join the holiday fun this Saturday, 3pm – 7pm, in our town center. The Holiday on the Green event offers something for everyone. We, Rest.Stop.Ranch & Memory Café, will be […]
Little Drummer Snowman Ready for Install - Our hip snowman will join others on the lawn of the Topsfield Library from November 29 to December 11. He’s practicing now for the Drum Circle Memory Café, which will […]
Gardens Ready for Winter - Yesterday, Karl gathered and stacked the remaining storm fall (from the main garden trails) into a large burn pile in back of the Caretaker’s Cottage. He also collected and stored […]
Lily Fest 2018 ~ Planted! - On Saturday, 12:30pm – 3:30pm, Karl and I planted and insured (with Vole Scram) a few hundred lily bulbs… Fragrant Orientals, Chinese Trumpets, Naturalizing Species, Asiatic, Tigrinum Lilies… The design […]
Reminder: Mums the Word Event for Vets and Families, 11/11 - Today we are hosting veterans and military families from 10am – 2pm. Also welcome are people who are in recovery from difficult and/or complicated experiences (i.e. mine was dementia-caregiving for […]
Mums the Word Event for Vets and Families, 11/11, 10a – 2p - Karl and I are welcoming veterans and military families on Veterans Day, Saturday, 11/11, 10am – 2pm. Barb Bodengraven, a local Topsfield author, will assist us as an expressive writing […]
Memory Café in the Garden Illustrates Our Hopes, 2017 - Saturday, October 28, showered sun and blue skies. Friendly new- and re-connections between two dementia-care duos were enjoyed in our garden. Two siblings, Jeanne Maurand of Hamilton and John Yntema […]
Join Us Today: 10am – 12pm, Memory Café in the Garden - Today is sunny with a blue sky! Fall foliage is at peak. If you or your loved one is living with memory hiccups or more significant memory loss, we want […]
Pumpkin Parade Party 10/21 Serves 39! - This past Saturday’s Memory Café in the Garden, 10am – 12pm, served a total of 39 people – our biggest gathering to date. In addition to our usual wheelchair-accessible Open […]
Fall Blooming Crocuses Surprise! - If you’re a local Topsfield senior, please join us at Octoberfest this evening, 5pm at Trinity Church, 124 River Road. Contact the the Topsfield COA for more info. We will […]
This Weekend: Events in the Garden! - Enjoy fellowship and fun in our wheelchair-accessible garden… with still-blooming roses, rose-hips, Chinese lanterns, dahlias, mums, and pumpkins. We’re harvesting tomatoes, squash, beans, and corn. Join us Saturday, 10am – […]Memory Cafe Today! 10a-12p - Join us in our cozy and warm Caretaker’s Cottage for coffee and conversation, 10a-12p. For any dementia caregiver or survivor of dementia-care, age 8-88+, and people with memory loss. See […]
Rosarians Consult and Contribute - Yesterday, seven members of the New England Rose Society visited from 11am – 2pm. They experienced a garden tour, shared their thoughts about our current Accessible Rose Rodeo Festival design […]
Topsfield Memory Café in the Garden ~ Season Wrap-Up - Hey everyone! Join us for one or more ~ Six more events to enjoy the wheelchair-accessible outdoors with your loved ones! Memory Café Saturdays, 10am – 12pm: September 30 October […]
Inspired by the Butcharts and Bellevue Botanical - Over 100 years ago, Jennie Butchart with the support of her spouse, Robert (a concrete manufacturer), began turning the gravel pit in the backyard into a beautiful garden. This is […]
A Duo and A Small Group Visited Us on Saturday - One Memory-Care Duo and One Memory-Care Small-Group visited us during our Saturday Memory Café. Bill and Nancy visited our home from theirs in North Andover. Bill and Karl chatted about […]
Updated: Volunteers Page! - We are grateful for the volunteers who have helped us with our accessible outdoor programs in the past and the present. Thank you! We currently have one volunteer enjoying hospitality […]
Roses are Still Blooming! - The seven roses we planted near the Koi Pond are growing great, thanks to lots of sun and water. This mini-rose-garden is the most wheelchair-accessible for our guests using wheelchairs. […]
Memory Café in the Garden – This Saturday! - Tomorrow, Saturday, August 19, 10am – 12pm, we a hosting our “Memory Café in the Garden.” We have 10 parking spaces – we’d love to see you! Our memory cafe […]
First Skilled Nursing Facility Group Enjoys Picnic at the Pear Tree Patio - On Friday, August 11, we hosted for the first time a skilled nursing facility group from Masconomet Nursing Center – just 3.2 miles down the road from us. From 11am […]
Wheelchair-Accessible Garden Events This Weekend! - Friends: Hope you’re finding ample opportunities for respite and recreation this summer! It was fun trying to capture this Monarch Butterfly in a few photos. Join us this weekend for: […]2017 (1/1 to 7/15) Programs & Participation Growth - This past week I had a chance to analyze 2017 year-to-date data about our Sunday Stroll, Memory Café, Support Groups, and Individual Support Programs. This year, we have separated the […]
2016 Sunday Stroll & Memory Café Program - This past week I had a chance to analyze 2016 data about our Sunday Stroll & Memory Café Program. In 2016, we offered a Sunday Stroll & Memory Café, once-a-month, […]
1st Death of a Loved One in our "Under 65" Caregiver Support Group - This past week we attended a Jewish funeral and sat Shiva with a member of our Topsfield “Younger Onset” Caregiver Support Group. It was the first death of a loved […]
1st Raspberries 2017 - The red raspberries are ripening now. Our patch is wheelchair-accessible. If anyone would like to pick their own berries, please contact me to schedule a visit. Moving forward with a […]
1st Respite Retreat Group - On Monday, July 10, from 11am – 2:30pm, a small group of seven caregivers from Concord, NH, visited our home and gardens. They found the trip from Concord was direct. […]
Accessible Rose Rodeo Continues ~ Today & Tomorrow - Options for smelling the roses include the following events: July 8, 15, or 29: 10am – 12pm, Saturday Memory Café July 9: 11am – 2pm, Sunday Stroll You may also […]
Our Memory Café in the Garden: Beginnings - My heart was filled with joy seeing these two duos, Pat & Christina, with Marsha & Tom, sharing and connecting over the picnic table. This is the essence and common […]
Open Garden Day on The Longest Day, Today, 10am – 4pm - Margaret, my mom, is who we honor today during our “The Longest Day” fundraising event for Alzheimer’s Association. This photo was taken in September 2007, ten years ago, at a […]
Open Garden Day on the Longest Day 6/21 – Tomorrow! - Join us tomorrow, 10am – 4pm, for our Open Garden Day on the Longest Day. Our gardens will be optimized for wheelchair-access similar to our Sunday Stroll events. Feel free […]
Father's Day 2017 Stroll Success - Our 2017 Father’s Day Stroll was our most successful yet. We hosted a total of twenty guests from 11am – 2pm. The guests included two small groups and two duos. […]
Accessible Rose Rodeo ~ This Weekend! - Fifty-two rose plants are accessible. Thirty plants are wheelchair-accessible along the MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 mile). Eleven are accessed by walking on relatively flat grass or ground ~ in […]Until we #ENDALZ, we will be here to support you - “Until we hashtag ENDALZ (heimer’s), we are going to be here to support families with this terrible disease.” This is what I said when Wendall Waters asked me if there […]
6/21 The Longest Day at Rest.Stop.Ranch - Wicked Local Topsfield editor, Wendall Waters, has written a nice piece about our 6/21 event to support Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH and our survivor’s mission to help other families impacted by […]
2017 Topsfield Strawberry Festival ~ Community Outreach - Topsfield resident Wally Harmer introduced me to his friend Margaret Niska of Rowley Saturday at Topsfield’s Strawberry Festival. I encouraged them to come and smell the roses at our next […]
Accessible Rose Rodeo ~ Visiting Options - Yesterday, June 1, we invested in many more rose plants, bringing our total number of rose plants to fifty. Thirty plants are wheelchair-accessible along the MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 […]
Accessible Rose Rodeo Begins! - John Davis, a hardy Canadian rose, is the first to bloom along the MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 mile) wheelchair-accessible trail. Today I’m mailing in our membership form to the […] Open Garden Day on the Longest Day 6/21 - On June 21, we will offer an Open Garden Day on The Longest Day, at our wheelchair-accessible memorial garden, the MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 mile), from 10am to 4pm […]
101 Plants Donated by the Friendly Garden Club of Beverly! - Thanks so much to the Friendly Garden Club of Beverly for sharing the leftovers from their Saturday 5/20 plant sale. Mostly day lilies, the donation included a few hasta, solomon […]
Accessible Lilac Festival ~ Mid-Bloom ~ 26 Plants - On Saturday, May 20th, Eileen visited our Memory Café with two professional aides, Judy and Giulia, from her home in Gloucester, MA. Together with volunteer Bruce Piper, we accessed the […]
Accessible Lilac Festival + Memory Café: Saturday, 10a-12p - Join us tomorrow, Saturday, 10am – 12pm, and enjoy twenty-four lilacs in full bloom! Eight plants are wheelchair-accessible. Tree peonies, wisteria tree, allium, and columbine flowers are also starting! I’m […]
Accessible Lilac Festival ~ Visiting Options - Our Accessible Lilac Festival has hosted ten visitors since Saturday, May 13th. Twenty-four lilac plants are easily accessible: Wheelchair-accessible: Joe Mac Lilac Line and Cottage Road (8 plants) Walking-accessible: Secret […]
Accessible Lilac Festival ~ Planted! - Friends who’d like to smell some of our 20+ lilacs are welcome to visit Saturday, May 13, 10am – 12pm, during our “Memory Café,” or Sunday, May 14, 11am – […]
Morning Report: Hyacinths Peak - Oriental Hyacinths and Early Daffodils are peaking now in the garden. Crocuses and Rock Iris have taken a final bow. Our next “Memory Café in the Garden” Events will be […]
Crocuses, Rock Iris, Daffodils Begin - Yesterday was a crazy warm day! We burned three brush piles despite the heat, spread lots of compost, and planted a deciduous azalea nursery in the Secret Garden. Memory Café […]
Opening Day ~ Memory Café in the Garden! 2017 - Tomorrow, Saturday morning, 10am – 12pm, 4/8/17, please join us for the Opening Day of our 2017 Accessible Gardens Season! This is the first year we are offering The Memory […]
2017 Accessible Port-a-Potty Arrives! - The wheelchair-accessible port-a-potty makes our garden events all-the-more open to friends with disabilities and care-partners. Thanks again to MA DDS funding the rental this year for our weekly Memory Café […]
April 1, 10am – 12pm, Our 2017 Season Opens! - Caregivers and people with memory loss, living North of Boston, enjoy outdoor respite and recreation in our wheelchair-accessible gardens, April 1 – October 31, on special event days we name […]
Morning Report: Early Spring Snowdrops & Crocuses - We’re enjoying first signs of life emerging now from the frozen earth. Snowdrops & crocuses are blooming, and daffodil and tulip tops are 3-4 inches above ground. On Saturday, March […]
Morning Report: Winter Wonder - Karl’s hoping this snowfall will melt within 8 weeks – April 17 – Tax Day – is when we will plant seeds. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, […]
Happy Birthday Karl! 50 years, LOVE - 1967-2017 You are a blessing to all of us, who are recipients of your kindness, compassion, passion and hard-work for our ongoing wheelchair-accessible gardens design and development! Lots of Love, […]Happy Valentine's 2017: Our 5/10th Year Anniversary! - It’s been 5 years since Karl and I exchanged vows in our back woods Meditation Garden, February 14, followed by an Assisi, Italy May retreat with Spiritual Directors International and […]
2017 Winter Snow Storm - In Topsfield, we received about 11 inches. The snow fell steadily from 12pm – 4pm. Working from home all day, the fire was a comfort, along with the blooming amaryllis. […]Support Report: Inaugural CG Support Group Meeting 1/12/17 - Last Thursday, 1/12/2017, we hosted 6 caregivers, under age 65, caring for a loved one with dementia, under age 65. Since then, two new caregivers (fitting the same age requirements) […]
Caring for Caregivers: 1st Support Group Meeting - Happy and Healthy New Year 2017 Everyone! This evening, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM, we will host our first “Topsfield Younger Onset Caregiver Support Group,” co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association […]
Morning Report: Winter Season Renewal - The Winter Solstice, celebrated yesterday, December 21, 2016, brings us into a season of less-is-more. How might each of us practice what were winter realities not so long-ago… fasting, trimming […]
Daughters of the American Revolution Award - Who knew? Our local, “Brigadier General James Brickett-Old Newbury Chapter” Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) resonate with and heartily support our effort to build sanctuary and support for all […]
Caretaker's Cottage to host monthly Caregiver Group, Starting Jan 12, 2017 - Since 2010, it has been my survivor’s mission and vision-in-action to support weary dementia caregivers in ways my own dementia-care journey lacked. We built wheelchair-accessible gardens – The MargFMac Front […]
Morning Report: Frozen Verbena - Looks like this week may be the end of delicate flowers such as this verbena. This plant did very well with southern light all season. We planted the same plant […]
Morning Report: Deck the Halls w/Boughs of Holly - I awoke from bed this morning to see our first snow cover and a red cardinal resting in the honeysuckle we left nearby the backyard feeder. Walking the 0.1 mile […]
Morning Report: Mums Hardy 'til December - Evergreen ground covers, a red twig dogwood, mums and snapdragons are creating still a beautiful garden show in the wheelchair-accessible front loop (0.1 mile). Moving forward with a listening heart, […]
Morning Report: Mums Continue with Ice Cover on Pond - I noticed this morning a first ice-cover on the back pond. When Miss Honey and I walked from the back to the front gardens, I was surprised to see our […]
Founders of Topsfield's Rest.Stop.Ranch to Discuss Memory Café at Topsfield Congregational Church on November 20, 2016 - In recognition of November being National Family Caregiver Month, Mary E. MacDonald and her spouse, Karl R. Ackerman, will speak at the Topsfield Congregational Church Emerson Center on Sunday, November […]
Nov. 20 @ 11am Memory Café Talk @ Topsfield Church - View/Download the Flyer 112016 Memory Cafe Talk with Mary and Karl Join us at the Topsfield Congregational Church Emerson Center at 11am this coming Sunday to learn about our Topsfield, […]Top 10 Differentiators: Our Topsfield, MA Memory Café - How is the Memory Café at Rest.Stop.Ranch different from others in Massachusetts, and the rest of the USA and the world? We support families impacted by long-term-care, in an inclusive, […]
Topsfield Memory Café is Featured in a New How-to Book - The Memory Café at the Rest.Stop.Ranch in Topsfield, MA is featured in a new book, The Alzheimer’s and Memory Café: How to Start and Succeed with Your Own Café (Jytte […]
Morning Report: Accessible Farm-to-Table Ready - We’ve continued to open-up the Ornamental Tree and Shrub Garden, adjacent to the Pear Tree Patio, for greater access by friends using walkers and canes. The new landscape architecture is […]
Morning Report: Redwood Table & Chairs Ready to Enjoy - Saturday was rainy, but still warm enough for us to labor outdoors with joy. We assembled our new redwood patio furniture: Table, 2 chairs, and 4 1/2 benches. This Pear […]
Morning Report: Fall Transitions - Yesterday, our 10′ long, wheelchair-accessible redwood table was delivered in 8 boxes, by Greg, Amy, and Felix. The movement from delivery truck to Pear Tree Patio took less than 1-hour, […]
Morning Report: NE Corner Reclaimed - Last weekend, we planted four trees for our 4th wedding anniversary: Dogwood (NE Corner), Mimosa and Chaste (near the Caretaker’s Cottage), and Japanese Maple (near the Koi Pond). The NE […]
Morning Report: New Accessible Ornamental Trail - This past weekend Karl and I built a new access trail in the Ornamental Tree and Shrub Garden. The new trail is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but it does allow our […]
Morning Report: Mid October Mushrooms - Be sure to consult a mushroom guide before picking mushrooms to eat! With so many mushrooms now growing in the garden, I wonder which are fine to harvest? Two resources […]
10/9/16 ~ Stroll and Memory Café Summary - This past Columbus Day Weekend, Karl and I celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary. We will be planting four trees as an Anniversary Planting 2016: Mimosa, Dogwood, Chaste, and Japanese Maple. […]
Stroll & Memory Café Reminder: This Sunday, 10/9/16, 11am – 2pm - This Sunday is our final Sunday Stroll and Memory Café of our 2016 season. If you would like to attend, please e-mail or call me prior to your visit: mary […]
New 2017 RESTOP RAM Drives Respite Message - Ecc. 1:2 “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity…” The RESTOP vanity plate drives a message to lift the burdens of long-term caregivers: Take time for respite. Starting today, Karl and […]
9/11/16 ~ Stroll and Memory Café Summary - Yesterday Karl and I hosted, with the help of two volunteers, seven adults and five children at our Stroll and Memory Café. Jeanne and her dad, Bob, visited again from […]
Stroll & Memory Café Reminder: This Sunday, 9/11, 11am – 2pm - Friends, This Sunday is our next Sunday Stroll and Memory Café. If you would like to attend, please e-mail or call me prior to your visit: mary at marymacissions.com or […]
Morning Report: Raspberries-a-Plenty - I’m checking in briefly from my retreat (including the abstinence from e-communications) because I have great news to share about our raspberries. Any local readers who would like to pick-your-own-berries […]
Morning Report: Fall's First Red Leaf - A brilliant red leaf surprised me this morning. It was laying on the grass near the Cedar Grove with another of its kind. Karl and I expect Jack Frost was […]Debra Mae Amidon's Memory will Grow Here - Karl and I lost our step-mother/mother-in-law, Debra Mae Amidon, this past weekend. Our whole family is saddened and will miss her greatly. Debra’s daughter, Kendra, would like Debra’s Memorial to […]
Morning Report: Koi Pond Zinnias - Karl and I are grateful for the rains this week. The sitting areas we’ve developed in shady garden areas, especially the Welcome Area, Cedar Grove and Tunnel, Koi Pond, and […]
Morning Report: Hibiscus & Dahlias Begin - Late summer & fall flowers are now in bloom: Rose of Sharon, Golden Rain Tree, Morning Glories, Phlox, Globe Thistle, Sea Holly, Zinnias, Hibiscus, & Dahlias. An update on vole […]
Morning Report: Taking Action with Voles! - We haven’t had a problem with voles before this. The evidence began with the systemic digging and eating of crocus bulbs – hundreds – all over the garden. Then, the […]
Morning Report: Lilies' Finale - We’ve enjoyed weeks of lilies blooming this July, and now they are finishing. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
Morning Report: Golden Rain Tree – 1st Blossoms - We planted the Golden Rain Tree in 2010, as a small 3″ twig with no leaves. It was a gift from the Arbor Day Foundation – .01 for ten trees. […]
Morning Report: Angel Ice Daylily - Daylilies, Oriental Lilies, Coneflowers, Clematis, Phlox, Dahlias, Cleome, Bee Balm, Balloon Flower, Gayfeather, Hastas, Chrysanthemums…are blooming… and Raspberries are ready for harvest. Fall squash, corn, and beans are forming, and […]
Close Encounter with a Hummingbird - While taking this photo, before 8am — Bee Balm in the morning sunlight — A large buzzing flyer startled me, nearly buzzed right into my right ear. I gasped with […]
Morning Report: Open Garden Day 2016 - Today in Topsfield and Boxford, it is Open Garden Day from 10am – 4pm. This year, we were not invited to participate (the organizer likes to always feature new gardeners), […] Support Report: Memory Café July 2016 - Yesterday, Karl and I hosted, with four volunteers, seven Sunday Stroll & Memory Café guests. Five of the seven guests were curious visitors who had noticed our signage on the […]
Rain or Shine: Memory Café! - Just a reminder: Our Sunday Stroll and Memory Café, scheduled for Sunday, 11am – 2pm, will take place rain or shine. If raining, please meet us at the Caretaker’s Cottage […]
Morning Report: Bullfrogs & Beavers - Last night we observed a bullfrog chorus and the foraging of our local beaver gang. Who knew? Beavers eat water lilies! Beavers are herbivores, they can live up to twenty-four […]
We Buried Billy the Kitty This Morning - Billy the Kitty was Karl’s cat, and a lovable and beloved presence in our home. Billy lived a good life for seventeen years, and was well cared-for by Karl, myself, […]
Morning Report: Foxtail Lily 1st Year Bloom - In 2013, as a 1st Year Anniversary planting, Karl and I planted five peonies and four foxtail lilies in a patch along the Orchard Ave. Now 2016, this is the […]
Morning Report: Lilies Begin! - MA State Senator Joan B. Lovely followed up – just yesterday – on our ALZ Advocacy Day invitation to come and see Rest.Stop.Ranch Respite Retreat Center. She represents our “Second […]
Morning Report: Strawberry Harvest - These berries show a sweetness and simplicity many aspire towards. Sweet and simple… May we live, age, and die, sweetly and simply, as seasons change. Moving forward with a listening […]
Father's Day Stroll & Memory Café: Local Education - Thanks to new street-side signage “Memory Café, Today, 11am – 2pm” (funded by MA State DDS) – we attracted eight guests (four pairs), all appearing without disability, from the local […]
Register Today: Father's Day Stroll & Memory Café - “Every nose may smell a rose,” one of my favorite sayings about our gardens, was inspired by my father, Joe (d.2013), doing just that on Father’s Day 2012. His last […]
Morning Report: New Garden Flags Installed! - Thanks again to Memory Café seed-funding received from Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services this spring, we were able to upgrade our signage for our seven wheelchair-accessible gardens along the MargFMac […]
Morning Report: Mountain Laurel - We are transitioning from late Spring into Summer flowers now… The bulbs are nearly finished and the roses have set their buds. I include in this post some of my […]
Morning Report: Peonies + Fox Tail - Karl and I planted Peonies and Fox-Tail Lilies in this patch in 2013, our first-year wedding anniversary. This is the first year for the Fox-Tail Lily to appear. We’re excited […]
Morning Report: Poppies - Color! Life! Love! This June 1, all around are signs of a Natural Life Force, ever-renewing, ever-steady, ever-glorious. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
Morning Report: Bearded Iris - In the garden this week, the star is the bearded iris. The photos cannot capture the glory of these blooms. Call me if you’d like to schedule a private garden […]
Living Into Enjoying Our Pear Tree Patio - This past Memorial Day Weekend, we enjoyed our Pear Tree Patio for the first time. Karl planted 30-40 new plants around the patio, creating a new corner shade garden. On […]
Pear Tree Patio Project: Day 3 - Dan and Matt finished the Pear Tree Patio today! It looks great. They were the first to enjoy a lunch on the patio. As they lunched, they noticed the emerging […]
Pear Tree Patio Project: Day 2 - Landscaper Dan Jackson and his helper Matt installed a wooden frame on top of the sure-pack, to guide the level-laying of pavers atop stone-dust. They achieved laying 1/2 of the […]
Pear Tree Patio Project: Day 1 - Thanks to our neighbor, Dan Jackson, Landscaping, we’ve made great progress today, Day 1, of our Pear Tree Patio Project. Dan has carved out the foundation for the patio and […]
Hospitality to a Stranger-Puppy - Our Topsfield Animal Control wasn’t able to respond within a timely time-frame, so I called the local Service Dog Project, who has taken the puppy and will host it while […]
Accessible Lilac Festival - We hosted a first impromptu Accessible Lilac Festival on Saturday, May 21, 12pm – 4pm. This social experiment was inspired by the seven lilac shrubs (planted in 2014) all being […]
Pear Tree Patio Project Begins - This morning we begin the Pear Tree Patio Project. We’re working with our local landscaper, Dan Jackson, who estimated the work to take 7-10 days. The patio will offer our […]
Morning Report: Lilac Festival Weekend - It’s an exciting time here at our home, Rest.Stop.Ranch. Local neighbors and friends may wish to swing by sometime this weekend and enjoy the Joe Mac Lilac Line (7 different […]
Memory Café Guest Seating Installed - Thanks to a phone tip we received from Karl’s Dad on Saturday evening, we were able to purchase the last six teak benches on sale at a local discount store […]
Morning Report: Mother's Day 2016 - We celebrated Mother’s Day 2016 with our second Sunday Stroll and Memory Café of our 2016 season. Karl and I hosted ten guests and two volunteers helped. Thanks very much […]
Accessible Port-a-Potty Placed! - Yesterday we received the delivery of a wheelchair-accessible port-a-potty! Yay! Thanks to the MA Department of Developmental Services award, we are able to afford this rental for our 2016 Sunday […]Morning Report: More than Flowers… - A human connection… Listening with a non-anxious presence… Understanding… Empathic reflection… The opportunity and possibility for healing… Wow. Now, that is big. Rain or Shine, our Sunday Stroll and Memory […]
Morning Report: Frosty Flowers - Many of our flowers don’t know what hit ’em overnight – a frost – just when they were really getting going. I hope some will bounce back. Moving forward with […]
Morning Report: Cottage Gardens Upgrades - In addition to upgrading the gardens around the Caretaker’s Cottage, Karl used the remaining wooden edging around the Koi Pond garden beds. We’re looking forward to hosting moms living with […]
Earth Day 2016 - Happy Earth Day, Everyone! Plant seeds of hope wherever you can. Blessings to all celebrating Passover. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
This Sunday, April 17, 1st Stroll & Memory Café, 2016 - Please call me (978-887-4202) by Friday, April 15, to register/reserve your space (limit 10 cars), if you’re planning to visit us this coming Sunday, April 17, anytime between 11am and […]
Our Inclusive Memory Café Receives 1 of 13 MA DDS Awards - Karl and I are thrilled to receive a contract from the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services to further develop and implement our inclusive memory café. Please enjoy reading the letter […]
Morning Report: Preparing for Pear Tree Picnicking - To have a Rest-Stop at Rest.Stop.Ranch, along the wheelchair-accessible MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 mile), has been a desire of ours and our guests using wheelchairs for a few years. […]
Morning Report: Terraced Trellis - Karl finished the terraced beds project yesterday, just after the April snow surprise. The terraced beds connect and unify with the kitchen garden trellis frame, from the ground up, creating […]
Morning Report: Building Terraced Beds - On Good Friday, a day off, Karl started his weekend spring project: building wood-framed terraced beds in the Roses and Kitchen Garden. This type of design is something we’ve imagined […]
Morning Report: First Yellow Daff, Grape Hyacinth - This photo was taken in the Rainbow Garden, where Karl and I planted crocus bulbs one-by-one last fall on our hands and knees. You can imagine how upsetting is was […]
Morning Report: Korean Forsythia Blooms Begin - Miss Honey and I noticed on our morning walk the pale pink buds on the Korean Forsythia, preparing to open. Our neighbor across the street is selling his home, if […] Morning Report: SNOw Spring? - We awoke this morning to an outdoor scene of steady snow falling, blanketing again the bulbs who had thought- right – that now is the season of emerging. Moving forward […]
Morning Report: Primrose and Rock Iris - We’re thrilled to see these rock iris blooming in March! Karl remembered last year, this time, we still had at least a foot of snow on the ground. Also, I […]
Morning Report: Lenten Roses Bloom - Keeping perfect time with the liturgical calendar, these blossoms are. Amethyst petals even echo the colors of the season, and the Passion – upcoming. I also like to envision a […]
Morning Report: Blue Heron Decoys Delight - Karl’s mom gifted us with these beautiful blue heron decoys at Christmastime – Thanks again Jan! I pulled them out of dry storage over the weekend and set them up […]
Morning Report: Crocus and a Wrong Turn Right! - A not-so-unusual driveway conversation happened at our home yesterday (Monday, March 7, 2016, 10 am). To protect our visitor’s privacy, I’ve changed her name. I’ve left most of the details […]
Morning Report: A Last Snow Day? - In like a lion out like a lamb, we hope. A 27 degree day in March feels not so unusual for this Syracuse, New York native. The first day of […]
Respite Retreats are Now Available! - Praise God! We have gladly found another way to offer rest to weary caregivers. As of this March, 2016, I’m happy to announce my availability to be present to and […]
Morning Report: Bulb Tips Emerge 2016 - It is a joy to witness the springing of spring in our front gardens. We see now snowdrops in bloom, and emerging… the tips of tulips, narcissus, and crocus. Spring […]
Morning Report: Post Ash-Wednesday - Only five more weeks ’til spring! The light snow cover is helping to insulate the spring bulbs from the bitter cold coming over the next few days. 1,745 bulbs hand-planted […]
Morning Report: Mid-Winter Burn 2016 - Grateful we had a clear day this past Saturday for a mid-winter burn… we enjoyed the fire with a few friends and family. Today, we and the snowdrops are snowed-in. […]
Morning Report: First Snowdrops 2016! - Yesterday was so sunny, warm, and beautiful… I was inspired to look for early bulbs. I found two snowdrops in total – one in the Upper East Lawn Garden, and […]
Morning Report: First Sticky Snow - Let Freedom and Justice Ring for the All Abilities Movement! This January 2016, we look forward to our fourth growing season welcoming friends with disabilities to our wheelchair-accessible MargFMac Front […]
Morning Report: New Year 2016 - This past New Year’s weekend, Karl and I decided the dates for our 2016 Sunday Stroll and Memory Café season. Learn more about our 2016 season > Also, please consider […]
Morning Report: Winter's Arrived! - Miss Honey loves the snow – and chasing snowballs! I enjoy the snow too, just not the freezing rain! Be careful all you friends out there in the storm’s path! […]
Morning Report: Holiday Play - We’re enjoying a holiday vacation week at home… keeping the fire lit, playing with Miss Honey, planning time with family, reading and resting. We wish our Christian friends a very […]
Morning Report: St. Andrew's Day Justice - It is the last day of November, St. Andrew’s Day (in Scotland), and the last day of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month (U.S.). I ask […]TDay 2015: Wicked Local News Mention: Rest.Stop.Ranch Memory Café - Rest.Stop.Ranch Memory Café has received a mention in the article “Memory Cafés Take Hold,” posted on Thanksgiving Day by writer/editor Gerri Tuoti of Wicked Local News, see page 2. Thanks […]
Morning Report: Autumn Ornaments - Eight in the morning, the sun highlights golden, orange, red, and green colors in the Ornamental Garden; thanks to the golden spirea, amsonia hubrichtii, red twig dogwood, dwarf evergreens, ground […]
Morning Report: Fall Bulbs Planted! - Yesterday, at 2pm, we finished our fall bulb plantings! This fall we planted a total 1,745 bulbs! This year, 2015, Karl created four new garden areas: 1. The Secret Garden […]
Morning Report: Fall Cleanup 2015 - This past weekend Karl cleaned up the Peony Trees (removed their leaves to protect the trees from potential ice damage), cut down the Raspberry Patch canes, and removed spent plants […]
Morning Report: Mums Shine - The last flowers of the season are blooming now – we have nearly twenty different special mum plants now peaking. Enjoying these late blooms gives us flowers from March through […]
Morning Report: Delphinium Dares to Bloom - We’ve been watching this delphinium plant for weeks. It has survived two or three hard frosts. The indian-summer week we’re having has helped the plant feel comfortable enough to open […]
All Soul's Day & Month, 2015 - 220 more bulbs planted… in the Rainbow Garden, myself and Karl on our knees… no coincidence I suppose that we planted the Rainbow Garden’s earliest bulbs this All Saints Day, […]
Morning Report: Fall Bulb Delight - My body is still sore from the crazy bulb planting Karl and I did, now two days ago, on Saturday, October 24. I did experience a bit of buyer’s remorse […]
Morning Report: American Beautyberry - I captured this photo of our American Beautyberry shrub before the frost earlier this week. I wanted to share about this plant with you for people who are interested in […]
Morning Report: Finishing Frost - This morning, at 27 degrees, we lost our dahlias, zinnias, and four-o-clocks. Here are the photos I captured over the weekend, knowing the frost was coming. Moving forward with a […]
2015 Sunday Strolls and Memory Café: Participation Growth - This year was our first to offer a Memory Café, in addition to our monthly Sunday Strolls program (for friends with disabilities and their 24/7 caregivers). Welcoming people with dementia […]
KM Anniversary #3 Planting ~ Cedar Grove & Tunnel - Since our marriage-celebration-year, 2012, we’ve marked the passage of our married life together with an annual anniversary planting. This year we chose to reclaim (from the wilderness) the Cedar Grove […]
2015 Sunday Strolls and Memory Café Season Ends - On Sunday, we welcomed our last guests of this growing season to our final Sunday Stroll and Memory Café. One thing we’ve learned since hosting a Memory Café, for the […]
Morning Report: Cottage Garden Cleared, Planted - The past two days Karl has worked to clear and plant (with white bleeding hearts and columbine) the perimeter edge north and northwest of the cottage. Sitting in the rockers […]
Morning Report: Fall Anemone - These white anemones, harvested and transplanted from my mother’s garden in Upstate New York, bring back loving memories of her tending her garden edge ’round her home. The winter-red winterberry […]
Morning Report: Hibiscus Gift - Thanks to our friend Gale Lyman for the perennial hibiscus plant pictured here. Karl and I planted it on Saturday near our accessible home entrance. This plant will reach twelve […]
Morning Report: Fall Roses - Pleasantly surprised to see this peach rose in full bloom along the wheelchair-accessible!!! rose arbor, I placed my coffee cup on a nearby log, stepped towards the rose and bent […]
Morning Report: Autumn Awakes at Koi Pond - The koi and goldfish have grown quite a bit this season, thanks in part to Karl, and his hand-made bamboo net protection. The orange, yellow, red, and pink fish colors […]
Morning Report: Color Bursts! - The Joe Mac MacIntosh tree offered two bright red apples this morning. Several other apples and pears are still ripening; I hope they’ll still be visible and available on the […]
Morning Report: Backwoods Portal Opened! - Karl and I worked this past weekend to open up a view of the Lily Pond, from the Fairy Garden, just to the right of our kitchen porch. We enjoy […]
Morning Report: Eating Greens - Collards and kale, chopped and sautéed with garlic, onions, olive oil, salt and pepper is a super tasty and healthy side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (if you can […]
Sunrise Group Enjoys Garden Tour & Picnic - Sunday morning, August 9th, I left early the “Giving Back to Caregivers” weekend retreat at Adelynrood (a retreat center up the road), to prepare with Karl our gardens for our […]
Miss Honey and Portulaca - Miss Honey is staying cool this summer, enjoying shady spots under trees and shrubs and lazing ’round on the lawn. She’s a good sport to pose with flowers-in-bloom. We learned […]
Communitee Plant Gifts Made Visible - We are beginning to create a tagging system for plants gifted by members of our participative communitee. The laminated tag you see in the photo is a prototype we are […]
Blessing of 15 Stations: 6 Ways of the MargFMac Front Garden Loop - On Sunday, July 26, 2015, Karl and I welcomed family and friends to join us for a blessing of the 15 Stations: the 6 Ways of the MargFMac Front Garden […]
Happy ADA Day! 25th Anniversary! - We are grateful for the many people who twenty-five years ago brought accessibility to the legal and national forefront, who collaborated and cooperated to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. […]
Morning Report: Heavenly Angel Ice Day Lily - This is one lily that escaped the deer-raid made earlier this month. Yep, the offense happened a few weeks ago, while Karl and I were away on business and summer […]
Open Garden Day 2015, In Summary - Thursday morning 7am, Karl and I enjoyed a cup of fresh hot black coffee in our commander chairs overlooking the wheelchair-accessible MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 mile) we’ve built over […]
Reminder: Open Garden Day – Tomorrow! - Friends North of Boston! The Topsfield/Boxford Open Garden Day is tomorrow, from 10am – 4pm, and it’s FREE! Karl and I are participating for the third year in this event, […]
First Dementia-Care Facility Group Enjoys Gardens - Six brightly-dressed women with hand-decorated sunhats (made earlier in the past week) were helped out of the facility van by a care-assistant and the driver from Brightview’s Wellspring Village, Danvers, […]
Morning Report: Gifted Hydrangeas Bloom - Thanks again to our friends at Burlington House for this brightly-blooming hydrangea that lights up the northeast corner of the wheelchair-accessible MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 mile)! In addition to […]
Open Garden Day 2015 - Please see attached an invitation to Open Garden Day 2015, next Thursday, July 16, from 10am – 4pm. All are welcome free-of-charge to enjoy our love, passion, and craziness for […]
Morning Report: Japanese Iris and Delphinium - A flock of birds flying on a journey, together… that’s what this image suggests to me as it relates to us who are experiencing and have experienced long-term-care and caregiving. […]
Morning Report: Foxglove Forest - July begins with foxglove and delphinium towers inviting the imagination inward, like a hummingbird… Happy 4th-of-July Independence Weekend, my fellow Americans! God bless all people around the world. May there […]
Morning Report: Climbing Hydrangea Reaches Heights - The former owners of our home, Margie and Rick, planted this climbing hydrangea before 2008, recommended by a landscaping friend who advised them back then that it would be a […]Morning Report: Climbing Roses and Clematis - This past Sunday, Father’s Day, it rained on the Parade of Climbing Roses now in full bloom… We moved our Memory Café hospitality event for people with memory loss and […]
Morning Report: Poppies! - Mirroring the color of our two Koi, Clementine and Mr. Curious, these poppies-in-full-bloom make it hard to believe they were covered by five feet of snow just weeks ago. But […]Our First Independent Wheelchair User Enjoys the Gardens - Sunday afternoon, Karl and I met a local friend, Marianne, who calls herself multi-mobile: she uses both crutches and a wheelchair to facilitate her ease of movement around. A reader […]
Morning Report: Kiosk Interactive - Since I last reported on our installation of a trailhead kiosk for the MargFMac Front Garden Loop (0.1 mile wheelchair-accessible trail), Karl built a small information and log box that […]
Morning Report: Yellow Itoh - You can’t miss seeing this peony! It is the brightest blooming plant in the garden right now. The itoh peonies are neat because they are sturdier than herbaceous peonies, and […]
Morning Report: Spring Highlights - Enjoy! Some of my favorite spring flower photos taken over the past few weeks… Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ MaryWe're Thrilled to Offer a Memory Café for Our Neighbors - After three years of successful testing of the wheelchair-accessible MargFMac Front Garden Loop (thanks to our friends with disabilities from the NE-ARC Topsfield and Burlington Houses!), Karl and I are […]
Morning Report: Allium Globes - Late spring blooms make way for early summer… these purple balls decorate the Orchard Avenue, keeping apple trees, now forming fruits, in good company. Moving forward with a listening heart, […]
Morning Report: Peonies Begin - Memorial Day Weekend has arrived! We are moving into the summer season with our Kitchen Garden mostly planted. The tree peonies are the first to begin blooming. By next weekend, […]
Morning Report: Lilacs Peak - The Joe Mac Lilac Line, planted last year in memory of my father, is a welcoming comfort this time of year around his death anniversary (May 24), when the memory […]
Morning Report: Bleeding Hearts - Can you hear the dewdrops cascading down wet leaves, seeping into the earth? Giving thanks for rain today. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ MaryMorning Report: Spring Ring - We are enjoying the blooming of our 2014 2nd wedding anniversary planting – the Ring, and other bulbs in the Cut Flower Garden. This garden along with the Orchard Ave. […]
Morning Report: Spreading Seedlings - Look closely at the base of this photo to see the shiny dark green leaves of a small columbine plant. I recently harvested columbine seedlings from a few of our […]
Morning Report: Rocks Circle Garden - On Saturday, May 2, Karl built rock edging around our Circle Garden, using rocks found on our property. The rock edging complements the delicate spring flowers very well. Moving forward […]
Morning Report: Kiosk Design Installed - Many thanks to Edith Heyck, who assists me with graphic design projects, for help with creating the MargFMac Front Garden Loop Trailhead Kiosk! We installed the new design on Friday, […]
Morning Report: Planting Ground-Covers - One of the benefits of planting ground-cover plants, like this bright pink creeping phlox, in your garden, is to help control the growth of weeds. The ground-cover takes up residence […]
Morning Report: Tulips Peek Color - Many updates to share this morning! The first surprise was a few of these pink tulips peeking out in the ring planting we created last fall 2014 in the Circle […]
Morning Report: Orchard Ave. Awakes - We are enjoying the narcissi show along the rock wall facing route 97. In the fall, we planted a broad mix that promised a four- to six-week bloom-time. So far, […]
Morning Report: Magnolia, Hyacinths Begin - The spring flowers are enjoying the warming sun and nourishing rain-dance back-and-forth! This Magnolia tree is the first of all our trees to bloom, and I have noticed that the […]
Blessed on Earth Day, the MargFMac Trailhead Kiosk - Today, Earth Day, April 22, we blessed the MargFMac Trailhead Kiosk (built by Karl this winter) with four sheets of laminated paper that offer: 1. A Tribute to Margaret Fraser […]
Morning Report: Yellow and Cream Narcissuses - The rock wall bordering route 97 catches the southern sunlight (on its south side) and warms the garden beds in front of it. On the north side (street-side) the daffodils […]
Morning Report: Bulb Show Begins - We were so surprised to see these beautiful royal blue and yellow irises in bloom before most of the others…these are very small bulbs, and the flowers measure only a […]
Morning Report: Bees Return - Honey bees and other bugs – including mosquitoes! – are out again buzzing ’round hyacinths, crocuses, tulips, and the awakening Koi Pond… We were able to count our fish, and […]
Morning Report: Chakra Containers - This is the second year in a row we’ve started our early garden season with containers in each of the seven MargFMac Front Garden Loop gardens. Each garden corresponds with […]
Morning Report: Crocus Pocus! - Karl and I are joyful to witness our first blooms of 2015 – a few crocuses in the Circle Garden and one snowdrop bloom in the Upper East Lawn Garden […]
Morning Report: Rainbow Pansies - With the beginning of April showers and warming temps, we felt safe to get pansies for spring planting containers. These cheerful faces will surely chase away any lingering chill. Wishing […]
Morning Report: Stations and Habitat - A cradle-catholic, more spiritual than religious, embracing ecumenical and interfaith truths, I was surprised when Spirit invited me to create stations of the cross around our MargFMac Front Garden Loop […]
Morning Report: Summoning Spring - Miss Honey and I enjoy this transition time in early spring, when the morning chill crisps cheeks and the ice and snow yield to the sun’s longer rays. Moving forward […]
Morning Report: Morning Has Broken - The first 50 degree (F) day in a very long time smiles steadily upon us, melting ice crystals into rivers of refreshment for thirsty spring sprouts. Moving forward with a […]
Morning Report: Late Winter Snow Play - Remember to spring your clocks forward one hour this Saturday night before bedtime! Only fifteen days remaining ’til the first day of spring! We’ll be waiting a few weeks for […]
Morning Report: Koi Pond Fall - Walking ’round the Koi Pond yesterday, I noticed the ice level very low. The pond appeared to have lost a lot of water and the base of the pond looked […]
Morning Report: Barred Owl Spotted - At dusk last night Karl called me out from the house to see this beautiful barred owl resting in the mature Norway Spruce just outside our kitchen door. S/he didn’t […]
Morning Report: Remembering MargFMac - February 22 is the birthday anniversary of my mom, Margaret, who passed away from frontotemporal degeneration in 2008. As a tribute to her indomitable spirit and passion for inclusivity (displayed […]
Morning Report: Bright Textures - The minimalist garden that’s revealed when the garden is the antithesis of peak, is refreshing in its own way. As the morning sunlight on the surface of this rock reveals […]
Morning Report: New Year Colors - It’s beginning to look like winter at the Koi Pond! In the photo above, notice the colorful koi and goldfish just beneath the ice, at bottom left. They are resting […]
Morning Report: Ever-spring-green Moss - The moss in the Secret Garden loves this mild wet weather we’re having in New England! This photo shows a wild bright green patch at the entrance of the Secret […]
Morning Report: Groundcovers Shine Bright - Lime green and various textured groundcovers provide a bit of brightness in the garden this mild early winter. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
Morning Report: Firewood Delivered - This bright green moss caught my eye this morning as Miss Honey and I walked towards the wood pile – just delivered this morning. I’ve heard it told that with […]
Morning Report: Thanksgiving 2014 - This morning, Thanksgiving Day, I felt it would be such a gift to share with you the sunset Tuesday evening from our back porch. The clarity of these photos was […]
Morning Report: Last Bulbs Planted - Chickadees, titmice, cardinals, and woodpeckers are enjoying our backyard bird feeder this morning. Yesterday, Karl and I planted the last of the fall bulbs – 250 tulips – in the […]
Morning Report: First Ice on the Pond - Still a thin layer, we’ll likely wait until January to step on this ice. We are now one week away from what many enjoy as the most sacred day of […]
Morning Report: First Hard Frost Prep - This mum is a monster of a plant! We’re so enjoying it in full bloom on these final days before the first hard frost, when all else has become withdrawn… […]
Morning Report: Last Blooms of 2014 - Karl and I are soaking in the memory now of the final bright and warm colors of this harvest season. We expect a hard frost this coming weekend. My winter […]Morning Report: Pond View - Karl and I were recently reviewing our summer yard work finished in 2014… this view of the Lily Pond opened up with the help of resident beavers. In addition, we […]
Morning Report: Amsonia Hubrichtii - Karl and I are enjoying the extended season in our flower garden. Usually by October 15 we have had a hard frost. We have yet to see a hard frost […]
Morning Report: White Dahlia - How sweet it is to see this dahlia make it despite its troubled youth (the bunnies snacked on this plant all summer long, which stunted its growth and delayed its […]Morning Report: Flower Tower - Thanks again to our friend Marlene who gave us the blue morning glory seeds that have formed the flower tower in the Kitchen Garden. The blanket of flowers rises up […]
Morning Report: Fall Rainbow Planted - Yesterday I purchased, planted, and watered eleven fall-flowering plants in the Rainbow Garden. Nearly a color for each band of the rainbow, there are now three asters and eight mums […]
Morning Report: Zinnias! - Jewish friends: Have a good and sweet new year! Reflecting on the traditions of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as a Judeo-Christian person enriches my appreciation for this special time […]
Rest.Stop.Research: Crotched Mountain Accessible Trails - This past weekend, Karl and I visited Crotched Mountain’s wheelchair-accessible hiking trails in Greenfield, NH. We hiked the 2-mile Dutton Brook Trail. They describe it as “a loop that winds […]
Morning Report: World Alzheimer's Day 2014 - Today we remember everyone whose life has been touched by dementia, and those who are currently living with symptoms, a diagnosis, or caregiving responsibilities. We invite you to take a […]
Morning Report: Thanks to the Burlington House for the Hydrangea - Friends from the Northeast-ARC Burlington House visited us on Sunday, September 14, and brought with them a hydrangea plant for the MargFMac Front Garden Loop. We planted it in the […]
Morning Report: Hasta Pasta Francis - Hasta-Pasta (Sorry, I couldn’t resist)… Saint Francis! When Karl and I toured Assisi, Italy in 2012 with Spiritual Directors International we ate pasta every day as we followed the footsteps […]
Morning Report: Thanks for the Plants! - Our generous Topsfield neighbors, Susan and Doran, have graciously donated beautiful and mature Hydrangea, Heather, and Lavender plants from their home garden nearby. Karl and I couldn’t be more thrilled! […]Our Vision is Validated - A week ago I toured our MargFMac Front Garden Loop with a neighbor (Joyce) who lives with late-stage Alzheimer’s/Dementia, her private-duty caregiver (Laura), and her daughter-in-law (Lynne). For all of […]
Morning Report: Globe Thistle - This lavender-color thistle appears like a spiky-ball, but as it blooms, feathery filaments emerge, making it a playful surface for bees and dragonflies. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, […]
Morning Report: Cottage Clearing - We are seeing now the beginnings of the cottage backyard transformed. This winter, Karl cleared a chain-link fence and a lot of nasty vines and dead wood in this area. […]Morning Report: Henry's Lily - A native of the Hubei Province in eastern Central China, this ornamental candelabra-style tiger lily hangs delicately in the morning sun. Karl and I enjoy its unique form. Learn more […]
Morning Report: Coneflower & Bees - Wow! The garden is beginning to grow-up, and most all of the plants are showing their beautiful true colors. I suppose it’s like when a child starts coming into their […]Morning Report: Heavenly Angel Ice Daylily - 1. There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. 2. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time […]
A Time to Uproot the Plant - (Ecclesiastes 3:2) After four years of continuous growth, its a common practice among gardeners to pull plants from the earth to divide their roots. In this process, the one plant […]
"Guide Services" Takes Time to Renew - Friends, Since my father passed away a year ago, I’ve been unavailable to be of service to the local/global community as a personal coach and consultant. I have removed the […]
Morning Report: Terraced Veggies - We are staking out the beds in our 2014 Kitchen Garden. Yesterday, I used red twine to mark four levels of height in our sloping planting area. We will create […]
Morning Report: Climbing Roses - On Mother’s Day, Karl and I planted seven climbing rose shrubs along the MargFMac Front Garden Loop. All of the new plants are accessible to people using wheels to get […]
Morning Report: Magnolia - Sit a while with me in the garden and gaze as the lovely Magnolia petals float from tree to earth. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, […]
Morning Report: Family Falls Apart - I guess this sculpture wasn’t made of material that withstands the extremes of the New England winter. I’m sad that the sculpture is beaten-up now; the artist who gave it […]
Morning Report: Lenten Rose - The long cold winter kept these lenten rose blooms shut-in longer than usual. They are now showing their colors in full glory. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, […]
Morning Report, Part 2: Circle Garden gets a Rock Retaining Wall - Karl loves working with rocks. On Sunday, he trimmed roses, wisteria, and rose of sharon plants. He then harvested rocks from a cottage garden area, brought them over to the […]
Morning Report, Part 1: Bulbs get a Boost - The inspiration to plant more hyacinths in the MargFMac Front Garden Loop came from my garden journal this year and last. At this late April date, we are so eager […]
Morning Report: White Crocus - So many spring blossoms in the garden to share! The white crocuses are in bloom near the Koi Pond – which also had the waterfall turned-on recently. The water-in-motion attracts […]
Morning Report: Flowering Quince Buds - Many flowering trees and shrubs now have buds and teeny leaves peeking out from protective shells. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
Morning Report: Orange Creamsicle - A glow catches the eye from yards away – this runway of brightly colored hyacinths is cheerful during april showers. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, […]
Morning Report: Tree Extracted - We were sad to lose the pink dogwood tree on the east side of the house this past weekend. Last year we noticed it wasn’t looking healthy. This spring when […]
Morning Report: Easter Vigil Forsythia - These korean forsythia blooms glow against an approaching night. So much in our world appears like darkness surrounding us, yet there is light – in front of and behind us. […]
Morning Report: Rainbow Starts with Purple - On this Good Friday (Christian tradition) we welcome you to take a virtual seat in silence on this bench that overlooks our Rainbow Garden in the Cedar Tunnel. Staying with […]
Morning Report: Hardy Hyacinths - These pink hyacinths shake off the snow – no problem. They are the first hyacinths to bloom in our garden; they’re in a spot that receives the most morning sun: […]
Morning Report: Crystal Surprise - Snow covering the ground this morning was a surprise. Ice crystals have bent daffodil faces and stems to look towards the earth. Two days ago the daffodils began to bloom […]
Morning Report: 7 Chakra Colors - We received ten yards of compost on Wednesday morning, which we will use to enrich the Cut Flower and Kitchen Garden soil this spring. I filled a few buckets with […]
Morning Report: Raining, Containers - Robins continue to forage for worms on the front lawn despite the steady rain this morning. The photo above shows one of the containers we created this past weekend to […]
Morning Report: First Bee - We are enjoying warm days and sunshine. I saw a bee buzzing ’round and inside these crocus blooms yesterday. Last night I attended a local senior center’s series on caregiving […]
Morning Report: Practicing Resurrection - For some of us who’ve been in the dark for so long, the signs of spring are hopeful. A nudge as gentle as the morning sunlight asks, “How will you […]
Morning Report: Tasty Ice-cubes - Warmer temps are with us for the next week and will help to soften and break-up the icy areas of the garden trail. We will work to clear winter debris […]
Morning Report: Respite Restores - The first thing I did my first day home from retreat was walk the gardens in search of some green tips; I found these daffodil tops along the Orchard Ave […]
Morning Report: Winter Escape! - Let’s give thanks for the final winter flurries… who knows when we’ll see them again? I will be on retreat/hermitage in the southwest desert for the next several days. When […]
Morning Report: Spring Bouquet - Looking closely at the ground-cover I noticed these beautiful colors cascading down the rock retaining wall. The snow line is receding. The green lines are growing. Moving forward with a […]
Morning Report: Some Bunny - Hoppin’ down the bunny trail Hippety hoppin’ Easter’s on its way My mom would sprinkle this song on cold spring mornings when I would feel grumpy and didn’t want to […]
Morning Report: Sagging Support - Snowflakes are falling lightly from the sky onto the receding tundra landscape, here in Topsfield. Like many in the country, we’re eager for winter to be through with its play. […]
Morning Report: Snowy Desert - Daylight is growing longer and stronger. I enjoyed standing still for a few minutes with my back to the morning sun early today as I snapped this shot. The warmth […]
Morning Report: Winter Wonder - And morning came… resurrection is available to us each day; for some of us, it’s happening whether we’re aware of it or not (is what I’m finding to be true). […]
Morning Report: Tai Chi for Healthy Aging - Brookline Tai Chi is offering a 2-day Tai Chi Instructor Training next month at a nearby healthcare center, Essex Park. The program director emailed me yesterday to let me know […]
Morning Report: Be My Valentine - This collage caught my eye while sorting-out the roots-level of our home recently. Suddenly, our technology-roots-grown-together was in front of me. An Adobe design software box sitting with a book […]
Morning Report: Winter Sun - The light of winter shown above reflects the colors of this glass art pop like a crystal. Similarly, in my life now, I feel this season shining me like a […]
Morning Report: Snowy Loop - It’s a beautiful winter morning here today. The snow sparkle brings a smile to my inner-being. Karl snow-blows the MargFMac Front Garden Loop if needed in the winter so we’re […]
Morning Report: No Flowers Yet - “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” Miss Honey asks (RIP Pete Seeger, social justice song-master). Earlier this week we were looking for snowdrops (flower bulbs – in past years we’ve […]
Morning Report: Bench Restored & Installed - On Saturday, February 1 Karl and I moved the restored park bench, now with the “Rest.Stop.” message incorporated, to its present location in the Secret Garden. Karl worked to restore […]
Morning Report: Seed Lays Dormant - The prayer space I’ve created at the cottage changes with the seasons. Right now, I’m praying with the blue water of renewal and ashes from the mid-winter burn we had […]
Morning Report: Ashes Heal - All things are coming together in a way that begins my lenten journey way before Ash Wednesday. Our mid-January burn and the beginning of a 3-month organizing project are surprisingly […]
Morning Report: New Beginning - Karl, Miss Honey, and I managed our bit of the forest in rain, snow, and sun this weekend. We removed brush and forest debris from the back of the cottage […]
Morning Report: Spring Preview - The winter melt is showing ground covers and yarrow plants as green as the first days of spring. It brightens the spirit to see signs of spring though we are […]
Morning Report: Nap Continues for Koi - The koi will continue their rest through the winter and we’ll look forward to seeing them again in spring. Spring arrives Thursday, March 20. It is the end of my […]
Morning Report: Ice Follies - Karl and I created a backyard ice rink on our small lily pond yesterday. Our rink design includes a mama rink, baby rink, and loop inclusive of both rinks. We […]
Getting to the New Normal – Holy Family - “I think the new normal is going to be good… it’s just hard getting there,” I said this weekend after breaking down in tears, while sitting with my husband and […]
Adjusting to the New Normal - “We got through the day,” said at the Christmas dinner table yesterday, echoes my feeling. We celebrated the Christmas holiday (Christmas eve and day) with family and friends and told […]
Morning Report: Holiday Grief & Cheer - Home for the Holidays I was this past week, in North Syracuse, NY. We closed the sale on the family home there, and now remaining is a simple gravesite where […]
Join us for A Long Winter Nap! - We’re pulling out favorite woolen wraps from cedar chests, keeping firelights aglow and sweet scents on the stove. Slip away from your to-dos and settle-down sometime during these next 30-days. […]
Reconnecting with Our Roots - In the process of managing a family estate, we often bump into our old, old roots. We are reminded of our personal history, the people who brought us into being, […]
A Thoughtful Leave-taking - When you have the opportunity to take-leave of your family home, consider how contemplative moving-through-the-home might offer opportunities for healing and closure. Letting-go of a family home is part of […]
Morning Report: Respite for the Nation - It’s a sobering morning, walking with my morning coffee in the garden and letting the conversations and presentations of the last two days continue to percolate in my consciousness. I […]
Morning Report: Strolls Summary 2013 - What’s happening here? Miss Honey wants to know… Anything good? Karl and I celebrated our 1-year wedding anniversary yesterday with 20 friends who joined us for a Sunday Stroll. Our […]
Morning Report: Fall Colors - Karl and I love the second weekend of October in New England – the colors are often at their peak. The young Hawthorne tree is bright orange in the foreground […]
Morning Report: Cottage Commute - Amazing Grace – I have a 2-minute commute. This is my first Monday morning writing from the cottage on our property. Big thanks to Karl for helping me set-up my […]
Cafe Care: for the majority - Family Caregivers or Care-partners provide 80% of long-term-care services in America. When you’re caring at home for a loved one in the family, it can be an isolating and sometimes […]
Cafe Care Starts Tomorrow! - Cafe Care Consults at the Good Day Cafe in N. Andover, MA start again tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct 1, 2-3:30pm, and the series will run for four weeks. I offer this […]
Morning Report: Cottage Gardens Prepped - This past weekend Karl and I worked to prepare the cottage back landscape for a new design that will include a lawn, a lily pond view, a raised platform for […]
Morning Report: Apples Harvested - This morning I sliced one of these sweet and crisp MacIntosh apples for breakfast and enjoyed it with a handful of pecans and coffee. It is such a joy to […]
Morning Report: Life after Death - Yesterday, I began moving my office into the carriage house, creating in the carriage-storage-area a modest writing, reading, and conversation nook (my friend Annette stopped by in the afternoon and […]
Morning Report: Art Pops Planted! - Central New York has offered great respite breaks for me as I’ve been clearing out my family home this summer. A difficult and at times scary task (I am reading […]
Morning Report: Family First - Our garden guests yesterday bring me again to focus on this family garden sculpture, generously donated this spring by our friend and artist Edith Heyck of Newburyport, MA. The creator […]
Morning Report: Creamy Lilies - We are enjoying the lilies blooming in the garden. Early morning and early evening walks with Miss Honey help us beat the heat of the day. Moving forward with a […]
DEMENTIACARE 2013: Take Care Keynote Video Clips - Watch video clips from my DEMENTIACARE 2013 keynote presentation (Alzheimer’s Association Central New York Chapter Conference for family and professional caregivers, DoubleTree Hotel Syracuse, East Syracuse, NY, May 16, 2013) […]
My Doable Self-Care Plan 6-wk Small Group Tele-Coach Programs 2014 - I will reschedule “My Doable Self-Care Plan” small group tele-coach programs in early 2014. Managing my parent’s estate in New York, Resurrecting, recovering, and renewing from ten years of mom […]
Morning Report: Cottage Goodbye & Hello - Our cottage tenant moved south this past weekend. We gave her chocolate for the road trip. On Saturday morning Karl and I sat in the empty 1-bedroom apartment, enjoyed morning […]
Morning Report: Roses Climbing - Four years ago I planted these rose bushes. It’s taken this time for the roses to climb and cover the deer fence. What growth will you experience in four years […]
Morning Report: Thistle Bee - Back in Topsfield, I pulled a few weeds walking our MargFMac Front Garden Loop and found the color in the Cut Flower Garden to really pop. Notice the wings on […]
Accessible Garden Featured - Kate Evans of the Tri-Town Transcript reported on the Open Garden Day we participated in on Friday, June 14 with six other garden-enthusiasts in Topsfield and Boxford, MA. The article, […]
Morning Report: Monumental Garden - Karl and I have planted a perennial garden at my parents’ grave site. We selected plants that would naturalize well and have 3-season blooms: sedum, pincushion flower, ice plant, and […]
Morning Report: Climbing Hydrangea Covers Bare Tree - The story of this climbing hydrangea offers a nice metaphor for those of us working through grief and loss. You see, the juniper tree that supports this plant was burned […]
Morning Report: Yellow Peony & Social Support - This yellow peony plant is a hybrid between an herbaceous peony and a tree peony. One of the benefits of this is that it’s stems are stronger and the blooms […]
Morning Report: Holly Tree Blooms - I’m moving slowly along since my father’s death two and a half weeks ago… taking one day at a time, noticing my energy level up and down. Back in Topsfield […]
Morning Report: Joe Mac Passes - Dear Morning Report Readers, My father passed on the day of my last post… May 24 at noon at BIDMC in Boston. Services were held this week in Syracuse NY […]
Morning Report: Practicing Resurrection - Thanks to The Inn at Longwood Medical for the internet access this morning to share this photo taken earlier in the week of our young white wisteria tree. This image […]
Morning Report: Peony Trees - We returned from the DEMENTIACARE 2013 Conference in Central New York State on Friday. As Karl and I walked the garden Saturday morning, it was thrilling to see our first […]
Morning Report: Sunshine Groundcover - Sunshine on a cloudy day is what we have here… bright shining at foot level! We love this ground-cover that is now the same color as a yellow tulip next […]
Morning Report: Nectarine Tree - Nectarine, peach, apple, and pear blossoms decorate the Orchard Avenue now… young trees we look forward to watching grow up. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, […]
Morning Report: Koi Pond Flowers - This morning I got lost in the joy and flow of tending our garden, one of my self-care anchors. Today I am “grounding” myself. I won’t be driving to any […]
Morning Report: Bee's View - It’s another cool wet morning here. Hyacinths are blooming in the Circle Garden, photographed above. We wait for our Gumdrop Alley to bloom… Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, […]
Morning Report: Earth Day - We return today to the reminder that mother nature is a healer of our life’s traumas. So too must we remember to clean up our acts as best we can […]
Support Report: Take Care Talk, N. Andover - Twenty-one participants listened, breathed, meditated, and chair-danced together at the Take Care Talk this past Thursday at St. Mike’s in N. Andover. They took-away two tools to support ongoing self-care […]
Take Care Talk Tonight: N. Andover, St. Mike's Parish Hall - If you are local North of Boston and available tonight, consider joining us at St. Mike’s Parish Hall in N. Andover, 6:30-8:00pm. This is an exciting, brand-new synthesis of my […]
Morning Report: Rock Wall Hedge - Thanks again to the many friends and family who helped with their wedding gifts 2012 to purchase the plants for our MargFMac Front Loop border hedge. We selected these plants […]
Morning Report: First Daffodils - Karl and I shopped for hedge plants yesterday and made some decisions. We expect to plant rhododendron, mountain laurel, holly and boxwood. These plants will become an evergreen screen for […]
Morning Report: Rose Garden - “We weren’t promised a rose garden, were we?” My aunt and godmother shared during a phone call this week, in reference to the life challenges long-term illness brings to our […]
Morning Report: Spring Anemone - A short-stay visitor, these flowers are only with us for a few weeks each spring. They are also called grecian windflowers. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and […]
Morning Report: Sprinkler System Upgrade - Look carefully behind Miss Honey to notice Karl adjusting our Fruit and Veggie Garden sprinkler system. We will install a fun whirly-gig on top of this very soon! Moving forward […]
Support Report: Cafe Care Consults 3 - The concept of Cafe Care Consults came to me while enjoying a bite to eat at the The Common Cafe in Norwood Center one Saturday. I loved the accessibility of […]
Morning Report: April Showers - Happy April Fools Day and Easter Monday! A quote from Ecclesiastes 2:13-16 for you: I went on to the consideration of wisdom, madness, and folly. And I saw that wisdom […]
Morning Report: Spring is Here! - Wake up! It’s Spring! Wipe the sleep outta your eyes and open ’em to brighter days. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
Morning Report: Tulip Tops - We’re happy to see these tulip tops coming up – promising we still have a few red tulips from our first bulb planting four years ago. A morning walk in […]
Morning Report: Frosty Francis - We are waiting for the thaw… flowers in four weeks – fingers crossed. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
Support Report: Cafe Care Consults 2 - This was our seventh week offering our presence and practical help at the Good Day Cafe at 19 High Street, N. Andover, MA. We are listening to people affected by […]
Morning Report: Happy Spring - Our snowdrop blossoms are now covered by eight new inches of snow. My father is also feeling like he’s in a deep freeze mode today – awakening at the rehab […]
Morning Report: Snow Line - One foot in winter and one foot in spring. Miss Honey has chosen hope. I’m hoping my father’s hospital discharge and next four week recovery phase is as smooth as […]
Twitter Topics Inform & Educate - This week’s events (companioning my father through heart surgery) have me writing more for practical purposes, personal therapy, and public education. The topics include: How’s Joe, How’s Mary, How’s Karl, […]
Morning Report: First Flowers - Look closely… can you find the three snowdrop blossoms that have emerged from the snow-cover to welcome spring? Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, Mary
Morning Report: Ministry with the Marginalized - My heart is happy to see a Latino Jesuit fill the position of Pope. This new global leader who lives with an active awareness of those on the margins promises […]
Today in N.Andover, MA: Cafe Care Consults - A reminder that we will be at the Good Day Cafe at 19 High St., N. Andover, MA today from 2-3:30 to meet people for free 15-minute Cafe Care Consults. […]
Morning Report: Life Continues - Joe, Mary, and Karl continue on the long-term life path. We weren’t sure of this two days ago. My father successfully completed heart surgery yesterday and is in the ICU. […]
Morning Report: 3 Shrubs - This Monday morning I will bring my father Joe to the Med Center for admission. Today he will undergo pre-op prep and tomorrow an aortic heart valve replacement. We’ve waited […]
Morning Report: Nature's Revolt - Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors near and far impacted by nature’s revolt. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
Today in N.Andover, MA: Cafe Care Consults - A reminder that we will be at the Good Day Cafe at 19 High St., N. Andover, MA today from 2-3:30 to meet people for free 15-minute Cafe Care Consults. […]
Morning Report: Frosty Rhodos - Another winter storm system is coming down around us. No worries… we’ll see spring soon. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
This Week 3/7: Cafe Care Consults in N. Andover - Plan ahead to meet us on Thursday this week at the Good Day Cafe at 19 High St., N. Andover, MA. Free 15-minute Cafe Care Consults from 2-3:30 pm (six […]
Morning Report: First Sprouts Sprung! - This weekend Karl and I noticed our first sprouts springing up. The still partially-frozen front gardens are slowly losing their snow-cover. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and […]
Today in N.Andover, MA: Cafe Care Consults - A quick reminder that we will be at the Good Day Cafe at 19 High St., N. Andover, MA today from 2-3:30 to meet people for free 15-minute Cafe Care […]
Support Report: Respite Retreat in N.Andover - A group of nine family caregivers gathered at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center yesterday for a 3-hour Respite Retreat, followed by lunch. These caregivers are journeying with family members living with […]
Morning Report: East Light - This light was taken yesterday, breaking through and onto our front garden loop. For a few more weeks we will watch the snow and ice melt away. Moving forward with […]
Still Time to Register: Wed, 2/27, Respite Retreat for Family Caregivers - Dear friends, We have a group of nine registered for the “Respite Retreat for Family Caregivers” program, to be held this Wednesday, Feb 27, 9:30am-1:30pm, at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center […]
Morning Report: Blue Sky - A breathtakingly beautiful morning greets us today. Every tree branch is dressed with a snow cover. The sunlight glistens behind a mosaic of fine water droplets falling in slow motion. […]
Now Available: Programs Price List 2013 for Organizations - More and more I’m being asked to speak to, teach, train, and coach caregivers affiliated with or served by organizations. I was asked for a programs fee schedule last week, […]
Support Report: Cafe Care Consults - Yesterday, I met a family caregiver (who cares for her mom -at her mom’s home- and receives at least 3 calls daily) and her husband at The Common Cafe in […]
Morning Report: Natural Frames - Frames may hold us safely inside or define the outside. The border trees and fence in this photo provide a clear way-to-go. Notice the natural frames in your life that […]
Reminder: Respite Retreat for Family Caregivers, 2/27, N.Andover MA - Dear friends, We have the minimum group registered for the “Respite Retreat for Family Caregivers” program, to be held next Wednesday, Feb 27, 9:30am-1:30pm, at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in […]
Cafe´Care in North Andover, Today, 2-3:30pm - Christians in our community are now on a 6-week lenten journey. This season before Easter offers an opportunity to stop and reflect on how well our habits and rituals in […]
Morning Report: Valentine's Rose - Today we celebrate love in our homes and small circles of connections. In what way or ways do you feel a spark towards greater compassion and connection with self, a […]
Cafe Care Consults – New dates - Cafe´Care Consults are a way for me to meet people where they are in towns North and South of Boston, hear long-term care concerns, teach simple relaxation skills, and support […]
Morning Report: Exit and Entrance - We make an exit, and enter a new time and space. The next steps are unknown. We believe in a brighter future. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, […]
Morning Report: Larkspur Sprouts - All winter long these larkspur sprouts have been growing despite the snow and ice. Hardy as the human spirit, delicate and determined. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, […]
Morning Report: Still Circle - A still, sunny morning soothes my soul on my first morning back from Syracuse, NY. I spent a few days with my father there. We saw the movie Zero Dark […]
Morning Report: Extending Our Branches - Our nature is to grow – up, down, out – growing slow or fast beyond our last growth spurt… sometimes over-extending to the point of hurting ourselves in little or […]
Morning Report: Light Snow - We expected more snow overnight. Light snow makes for little work outdoors, yet many of us still adjust to a change of plans for the day. Morning appointment cancellations may […]
Mass Respite Website Launched! - Respite is vital to keeping caregivers healthy and happy and care-receivers safe and cared-for compassionately. Massrespite.org is a website that offers family members based in Massachusetts a place to: – […]
Morning Report: Snow Trees - A clear blue sky and snow-frosted trees refresh my eyes this morning! After a messy yesterday, isn’t it nice to know the weather will change? Moving forward with a listening […]
Support Report: Taking Care at Charlwell House - Over twenty healthcare professionals and community members participated in the short program “Take Care of Yourself: Seven Sustainable Skills for the Long-Term Care Journey” I led yesterday at Charlwell House […]
Morning Report: Tani Mano Uki - Tani Mano Uki takes center stage along the Cut Flower Garden path on winter mornings. I feel affection for this tree. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and […]
Support Report: Seven Sustainable Skills for Senior Providers - Yesterday I taught a small group of senior providers “Take Care of Yourself: Seven Sustainable Skills for the Long Term Care Journey” and some first steps towards creating “My Doable […]
Morning Report: Evergreen Ivy - Take a moment to notice and celebrate the areas of life that are evergreen constants. How do these evergreen places or people nourish heart, mind, soul? In what ways will […]
Morning Report: Winter Garden Reflections - Winter visited a week ago. Now, snow is melting and it feels again like spring. Looking ahead a few months, what do you see for yourself? Moving forward with a […]
Morning Report: White Christmas - A squirrel scurries up the tree outside our screen porch as I write this post and listen to A Carpenter’s Christmas Portrait… We will have a White Christmas this year! […]
Morning Report: Visions of Sugarplums - Unexpected things in unexpected places can bring smiles. Look for the unexpected around you! Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
Morning Report: Winter Begins - White lights and colored lanterns define the morning darkness on this day the sun is furthest from us in the Northern Hemisphere. Now begins the lengthening of light over days […]
Morning Report: Accessible Gardens Turn One! - Karl and I celebrated our first year of accessible gardens with family and friends this weekend. The Topsfield Bakeshop took my drawing of the gardens and did a fabulous rendering […]
Morning Report: Holiday Light - The cross in our front gardens, now standing in the context of the holiday season, has called me to learn more about Christianity’s Jewish roots. I’m reading Chanukah: Eight Nights […]
Morning Report: King Kong at Christmastime - The poppy plants are doing well with the mild weather we are having. These small green mounds are expected to grow four-feet-tall poppy flowers in the spring. As you prepare […]
Morning Report: Sedum Green - This groundcover is one of the brightest colors in the garden this morning and reminds me of a holiday wreath that’s been sugar-frosted. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, […]
Morning Report: Woman at the Well - Winter’s approach has brought a stillness to the garden. This image of the well invites me to linger. The following questions bubble up: – How are we meeting each other […]
Morning Report: Birth in Winter - Some of the tree buds (lilac, apple, magnolia) appear as if it were early spring. A concern for our environmental present and future offers a timely reflection for those celebrating […]
Morning Report: Frosty Vinca - 30 days has September, April, June, and November… As we near the end of this month, what do you hope for in December? Think about it, write it down, and […]
After FTD: 4 Years - The impact of FTD and many other long-term care experiences is felt long-after the death of a loved one. I share our story because it is part of our own […]
Morning Report: Design Defined - Thirty yards of compost now lies atop the garden beds in the Upper East Lawn Garden, Rainbow Garden, Garage Garden, Fairy Garden, Koi Pond, Cut Flower Garden, Rock Wall Garden, […]
Morning Report: Dogwood Seeds - Noticing these bright red tips on the Dogwood branches, I moved closer to see just what they are… seeds remaining on flower heads. The seeds and flower stems will drop […]
Morning Report: Rock Wall Garden - This past weekend Karl spread compost along the north side of the Orchard Avenue, creating the new Rock Wall Garden. The westernmost end of the garden features a succulent section […]
Support Report: Me Moment Webinar - Thirty-three long-term caregivers joined us last night for “Take the Time for a 2-, 5-, or 10-minute Me Moment!” free webinar, hosted by Janet Edmunson. I presented an overview of […]
Tonight! 11/7 at 7pm ET Free 30min. Webinar - Please share this reminder with friends, family, and neighbors who are caregiving a person living with long-term illness and disability. Take the Time for a 2-, 5- or 10-minute Me […]
Morning Report: Mums Alive! - Never thought you’d hear about your personal power compared to fall mums, did you? Like the human spirit, these mums handle frosts like the one we had last night. Let’s […]
Morning Report: Compost Pathways - Karl spent most of the weekend spreading compost on the flower beds in the Koi Pond, Cut Flower Garden and Orchard Avenue. We noticed how this application made the paths […]
Morning Report: Garden Gifts - We have been preparing the garden to receive gifts given to us at our wedding celebration. The land has been prepared, and we have started planting some of the special […]
Morning Report: Mums Gold Honey - We planted mums this week and have many more blooming now. We’re crossing our fingers that the big Sandy storm doesn’t crush us or the crysanthemums. For those interested in […]
Morning Report: Early Amethyst - We chose emerald and amethyst as the colors for our wedding because they are our birth stones. While at the nursery last weekend, we saw this deciduous shrub with bright […]
Morning Report: Fall Cleanup - Yesterday we worked to clear and clean up the gardens in preparation for new plantings and winter. We removed honeysuckle bushes along the Cut Flower Garden and burning bushes along […]
Morning Report: Angel's Presence - Many of us felt the presence of my mom Margaret at the wedding celebration. The band played on her piano for the reception, and I recorded on it for songs […]
Morning Report: Wedding Reflections - Family and friends joined Karl and me for the joyful finale of our Wedding Trilogy this past weekend. Married in our Meditation Garden Saint Valentine’s Day 2/14/12, Walking the Footsteps […]
Morning Report: Honey Grass - A wet day here in New England. The purity of water droplets draws attention. Source of light and nourishment. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ […]
Morning Report: Dahlia Bee - This morning Karl and I walked the front gardens with our cups of black coffee and Miss Honey by our side, as we often do before we go to work. […]
Morning Report: Dahlia Row - Deadheading in the dahlia row this morning, I notice my breath and my posture. This maintaining becomes a morning prayer. Also grateful for the warm sunlight. Moving forward with a […]
Support Report: Taking Care in Norwood, MA - Yesterday as part of the Monthly Caregiver Support Group at the Norfolk Adult Day Health Center in Norwood, I met with five family caregivers caring for loved ones living with […]
Morning Report: Honey and the Hinoki - It’s a damp fall day here – a benefit to a green garden. Miss Honey stands directly above the Hinoki Cypress and sedum groundcover in the Ornamental Tree and Shrub […]
Support Report: NSACOA Meeting - Council on Aging directors from Topsfield, Middleton, Lynn, and Reading met with me yesterday to learn more about the services we’re now providing online and onsite. They also learned & […]
Morning Report: Japanese Toad Lily - The toad lily loves the damp, shady area near the Koi Pond waterfall. This is one of the more unique plants growing in our garden. Other plants peaking now include: […]
Morning Report: Paths Cleared - Within the last few days, Karl did a good weeding and clearing around the paths of our touring garden, the MargFMac Front Garden Loop. With the grass also cut, the […]
Morning Report: Sweet Autumn Clematis - These blooms are the high lights in the Fairy Garden this week, carrying a sweet fragrance into the warming southern sun rays. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, […]
Morning Report: Bench 4 Built! - I helped Karl carry this fourth bench into our Cedar Tunnel yesterday. We sat on the new bench and said, “It works!” The new bench offers additional seating in the […]
Morning Report: Blooms at the Birdbath - This subshrub is one of my favorite plants in the garden – when it blooms, it looks like a puffy cloud. Thanks so much to Vern Blodgett who gifted us […]
Support Report: Music Ministry at Home with Family and Friends - Karl and I returned from the Labor Day Weekend Family Conference, Geneva Point, Lake Winnepesaukee, Sunday morning. I presented a workshop there, “Music Ministry at Home with Family and Friends.” […]
Morning Report: Benches Installed! - Karl and I created the benches you see above from a design we saw at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in the Berkshires. The benches are 10-foot each. We installed them […]
Morning Report: Cleome & Caregivers as Spiritual Companions - The light on the cleome this morning is beautiful. The bees enjoy what is left of this seven foot tall bouquet! I’m getting ready to present my “Music Ministry at […]
Morning Report: Kitchen Garden - Our kitchen garden is the “Fruit and Veggie Garden.” It feels so good to harvest our tomatoes, peppers, basil, kale, and summer squash, cook it up, and can it for […]
Morning Report: Sun Honey - We breathed the cool air this morning; fall is approaching. The sunflowers and asters are blooming now. Morning glory and decorative gourd vines have climbed to the top of the […]
Morning Report: Dahlia Bursts - Karl & I have returned from a few get-away days in New Hampshire. We appreciate even more the home that we have built here in Topsfield. Moving forward with a […]
Morning Report: Four O'Clock - The Cut Flower Garden is bursting with four o’clock flowers. A couple of delphinium are peeking out as well. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ […]
NBC and Amy Goyer Make Visible the Unseen - How nice to watch the evening news last night and see coverage of the issue affecting so many of us. NBC featured Amy Goyer and her family and shared some […]
Morning Report: White Water Lilies - The last two mornings Miss Honey and I have seen ducks on the Lily Pond. Today it was quiet, with white water lily’s bright petals and sweet scent inviting bees […]
Planning for Local Services - We are making positive progress with our application to become a respite and healing center for our local community. We are currently learning more about the options for offering services […]
Morning Report: Summer Tour 2012 - Please enjoy the virtual garden tour I created yesterday. Part 1 includes highlights from the Koi Pond, Cut Flower Garden, Fruit and Veggie Garden, and Orchard Avenue. Part 2 highlights […]
Morning Report: Glory & Jacob's Pillow - Karl and I enjoyed Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet yesterday afternoon. We were inspired by many aspects of the festival. We observed part of a master […]
Morning Report: Globe Thistle - The last month of summer is upon us. Three days into it now, let’s take two minutes to think about what would really bring us joy in these next few […]
Morning Report: Asiatic Lilies - The lilies are in bloom and are enjoyed by everyone passing by – me, we, bee! Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, ~ Mary
Morning Report: Glad Honey! - Miss Honey appears as galiant as the gladiolus in this photo! Please tell friends about the upcoming 6-week self-care small group tele-coach for long-term caregivers – the series starts September […]
Morning Report: Gladiolus2 - We are watching this beautiful gladiolus unfold this week, so I thought a series of photos capturing this would be appropriate. Take time today to reflect upon your own ‘unfolding’ […]
Morning Report: Gladiolus - The gladiolus is a symbol of strength and moral integrity (learn more: teleflora.com). This flower along the wheelchair accessible MargFMac Front Garden Loop towers seven feet tall and will be […]
Wellness Studio Created! - It’s another profound and meaningful Monday morning here at our home (our last morning like this one was just a week ago – after our first Open Garden day, held […]
Morning Report: Speedwell - This light-infused Speedwell (aka Veronica) offers such brilliant hope. Whatever the darkness, we are inherently able to rise from it. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, […]
Morning Report: Blue Herons on the Pond - Miss Honey and I took an evening stroll in the Meditation Garden last night and startled two blue herons on our approach. We disrupted their fishing spot in the Lily […]
Accessible Open Gardens! - Karl and I are profoundly moved and deeply joyful to have shared our wheelchair-accessible gardens with our friends and neighbors this past weekend. Our vision for an all-inclusive garden experience […]
Support Report: Holiday Week Self-Care - The 4th of July is tomorrow! Have you scheduled some R+R time for yourself this week? Remember to honor your body/mind/spirit needs as you: – make plans and possibilities for […]
Morning Report: Dahlias - We planted many dahlias in the Cut Flower Garden as well as along the Fruit and Veggie Garden west fence. They are now starting to bloom and will continue building […]
Morning Report: Visit the Gardens Saturday, July 7 - Many wonderful flowers are now blooming in the gardens, including the fruity-colored portulaca. Karl and I welcome you to visit the gardens this Saturday morning, July 7, from 9am – […]
Morning Report: Hasta Blue - Bright green and blue hastas line the pathway into our home, above the Koi Pond. In the past we’ve had deer munching on these leaves, but I think Miss Honey’s […]
Support Report: Body, Mind, Spirit Festival Outcomes - The Body, Mind, & Spirit Festival in Marblehead, MA this past Saturday was a huge success. We had about 40 people visit with us at the Marymac Missions table. I […]
Morning Report: Koi Pond Iris, Savorii - At the Body, Mind & Spirit Festival in Marblehead this past weekend I met two women social entrepreneurs, Pat and Pat, who are empowering women and men at the St. […]
Morning Report: Japanese Iris, Body/Mind/Spirit Fest - My intuition tells me… What does your intuition tell you this morning? Take 5 minutes to notice how Spirit is moving you gently towards greater self-love and wholeness in your […]
Quarterly Update – Summer 2012! - The Marymac Missions’ Quarterly Update Summer 2012 is available! New this quarter is a social numbers report that measures our reach within our six service areas: mobile & phone, online, […]
Support Report: Taking the Time - A common theme in this week’s tele-coaching small group, “My Doable Self-Care Plan,” was “Taking the Time for Self-Care.” Each group member noticed how taking the time for relaxation, decadence, […]
Body, Mind, & Spirit Festival this Saturday in Marblehead! - (Marblehead, MA) A friendly reminder to folks North of Boston to check out the Body, Mind & Spirit Festival this Saturday: 10am-3pm, St. Andrew’s Church, 135 Lafayette Street, Marblehead, MA, […]
Morning Report: Japanese Iris - Hummingbirds have been a topic of self-care discussion in the My Doable Self-Care Plan 4-week Small Group. As I look into the image of these japanese iris in bloom, I […]
Morning Report: Summer Walk & Wheel - Karl and I assisted Dad with a wheel around the MargFMac Front Garden Loop late yesterday afternoon. If it wasn’t for my father suggesting we take some photos, I wouldn’t […]
Support Report: Self-Care Script - Getting into a habit of reviewing our self-care intentions for the week or day is foundational for a renewing self-care program. For many people including myself, this intention-setting is most […]
Morning Report: Wood Frog - As Miss Honey and I stepped out for our morning walk, I noticed this small jumper near my left ankle. Miss Honey didn’t stop to investigate, but I did. I […]
Goddess Evening Danvers: Tickets Sold-Out - A friendly notice to those who might have considered checking out the Goddess Evening this Friday in Danvers, MA – No tickets will be sold at the door, as all […]
Morning Report: Begonia, Sacred Spaces - These warm pink begonia blooms receive the morning light and brighten our screen porch sitting area. One tip for creating intentional sacred spaces in your home is to notice where […]
Morning Report: Red Hot Poker - The red hot poker plant reminds me of rocket ice cream. Visually, the color and shape are so similar. Yet the temperature of the hot poker and the ice cream […]
Support Report: Insomnia Be Gone! - This week the My Doable Self-Care Plan Small Group participants touched upon a self-care topic common to many long-term caregivers: insomnia. Holistic recommendations for addressing this challenge include: 1. Exercise: […]
Support Report: My Doable Self-Care Plan Sets Sail! - I’m thrilled to report that the My Doable Self-Care Plan 4-week Small Group met via conference call on Tuesday evening and we are off to a wonderful start. Women from […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Yellow Peony - This yellow peony plant is one of Karl’s favorites. It is a special peony because its form is between a regular peony bush and a peony tree. This is the […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Sweet William and Self-Care - The gardens are thriving with continual water and light- but we’ve missed the sun now for days. I hope the weekend will dry up well enough to cut the grass. […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Francis' Image - Having returned from our Assisi pilgrimage, Karl and I are blessed with new friends from the Spiritual Directors International Group, a deepening understanding of the lives of St. Francis and […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Assisi Pilgrimage - Karl and I are preparing for our pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy, where we will follow the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare. We look forward to a well-earned vacation, […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Spring Tour 2012 - This morning I’ve made a short documentary of our first Spring since installing the wheelchair accessible MargFMac Front Garden Loop. Moving forward with a listening heart, vision, inquiry, and action, […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Returning Home - I commented to Karl last night, “It’s nice to have a home to return to.” It’s not that long ago that I experienced not having a home-base other than my […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Peony Opens - Wish I could capture the perfume of this opening peony tree bud and deliver it to you with this post! I believe the peony collection will become one of the […]
Register Now! My Doable Self-Care Plan 4wk Small Group - For the first time, I’m offering a small group tele-coaching opportunity for caregivers interested in prioritizing their self-care practices. This tele-coaching small group is available to anyone in the country […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Peony Trees - Wonderful to see the bright sun again. The peony trees are looking strong. The pink tree is the first of four to bloom. I celebrated my 40th birthday with a […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Azaleas - Another wet day waters the earth and plants. A stretch of nourishment from the drying sun. When do we take our stretches for nurturing? Moving forward with a listening heart, […]
Feature Article: Sacandaga Sun Holistic Magazine - We are thrilled to be featured in the Summer Solstice 2012 edition of Sacandaga Sun Holistic Resource Magazine. The publication, based in the New York State Adirondack region, features holistic […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Lilacs - I returned last night from my days in Kansas. I enjoyed visiting sister-friends at Mt. St. Scholastica monastery, teaching four “Take Care of Yourself” programs for family and professional caregivers, […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Tulips Peak - We enjoy the beautiful colors of the tulips that made it this year–the moles ate a good portion of the many, many tulips planted two years ago, and the drought […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Thirst Quenched - Our several days of drought have given way to flowing rains from above. The seeds and starter plants we’ve planted now have a chance to germinate and grow. It was […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Bleeding Hearts - Cultivating Compassion – the Spiritual Directors International Conference begins tomorrow. I will attend the full-day “Spirituality & Health Care Institute.” These bleeding hearts represent the paradox of life and suffering […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Pink Tulip - Sr. Nancy Rowen gave us this tulip last year. Well, to be more specific, she recycled some of last year’s bulbs from Brooksby Village’s Easter celebration and brought them to […]
Cultivating Compassion: Spiritual Directors International - The Spiritual Directors International Conference is this week– at the CoCo Key Hotel in Danvers, MA. The theme is year is “Cultivating Compassion.” On Thursday night starting at 5pm (exhibitor […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Green Certified - The wheelchair accessible MargFMac Front Garden Loop is becoming so beautiful an experience it is hard to capture via photo or film. As I walked the gardens this morning atop […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Tulips Begin - Fritillaria buds are formed, the Gum Drop Alley–our colorful row of hyacinths– is coming into full bloom, Primrose’s violet flowers have appeared. This affirmation of life is good for the […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Respite Report: Brooksby Village Caregivers - I presented a “Take Care of Yourself: Seven Sustainable Skills for the Long-Term Care Journey” 60-minute workshop to the Brooksby Village Caregivers’ Support Group yesterday. The group of six and […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Flowering Quince - Karl and I spent the Easter weekend with my father in upstate NY. We are excited to see the progress of the growing peony trees – we have four planted […]
Guide Services Launch! - The journey to become a guide has been Spirit-led. A few weeks ago, I shared with you my Called to Coach story – Now, we launch over the next weeks […]
Pro-bono Life Coaching Packages! - A total of three 5-week life coaching packages (60 minute sessions) are available for long-term caregivers and receivers who are interested in experiencing the benefits of one-on-one life coaching (offer […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Mourning while Living - I’m still a member of the FTD Boston support group. Once in a while, in addition to the monthly group meeting reminder, they email links to supportive information. Yesterday, I […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Integration Milestone - After things fall apart, it usually takes some time for things to come together again in a meaningful way. Karl and I moved into our home 3 years ago, February […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Magnolia Blooms - The Magnolia closest to the Koi Pond is always the first tree to bloom here at Rest.Stop.Ranch. Evening and day showers provide the right conditions for the seeded grass to […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Forsythia - The birds and bunnies appreciate this patch of yellow forsythia near the grape vines. Just yesterday I saw a cottontail rush for cover as Miss Honey and I approached while […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Lenten Rose - The lenten roses are beginning to bloom as well as the magnolia tree along the access path to the home. We are also now feeding the koi and goldfish in […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: Korean Forsythia; Emotional Benefits - The korean forsythia is blooming in our Secret Garden! The emotional benefits of practicing meditation can be significant. At our mid-week, mid-day mediation group yesterday, one of our participants shared […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: 1st Hyacinth; Otter - I was quick enough to catch this hyacinth – and slug! However, I didn’t have my phone with me earlier this morning when I walked down to the Meditation Garden […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report: 1st Daffodils; Respite Wellness - Between the street-side rock wall and the Orchard Avenue (which is part of the wheelchair accessible MargFMac Front Garden Loop) we have a new garden area. We’re calling it the […]
Called to Coach - Dear friends, About a year ago, on Good Friday of Easter Weekend, I received a phone call from a woman in New Mexico. She shared with me that after five […]
Rest.Stop.Ranch Morning Report Special Edition - A vision held since February 2009 (when we moved in) will be realized over the next few days. Join me for a walk through the vision prior to groundbreaking! I […]
Sing with Me: A Song of Peace in our Hearts - Singing together creates connection and awareness that we are part of a larger community.
Action and Stillness - Listen to a keyboard interpretation of the paradoxes of life: Quiet and Loud; Still and Active.
Impressions on “‘Tis a Gift to be Simple” - Listen to a reflective exploration of the classic tune, “Tis a Gift to be Simple.”
Snooze Pose - Practice Snooze Pose when you awake from a deep sleep, before your mind has the chance to “turn on” with the many to-dos.
Relaxation Pose - Practice Relaxation Pose when you want to zone out from the to-dos and check in with your self. Daily practice is recommended!
Restorative Bridge Pose - Practice Restorative Bridge Pose when you would like to wind down your mind and relax the body.
Be Supported. Relax. Loosen up. - Practice restorative yoga on a park bench or imaginary park bench (chair).
Heart-Centered Guided Meditation - Practice looking within to the heart center and embracing its joys and sorrows.
Clearing Bell Tones in the Body/MInd - Practice an alternate hum and breath technique; help the body/mind slow down and tune in to self-care.
Chakra Chair Meditation - Practice the use of chakra reflection to increase self-awareness and compassion for life areas that are successful and challenging.
Affirmation Seated Meditation - Practice using an affirmation as a focal point for seated meditation.
Hum Breath for Heart, Throat and Mind - Practice humming in 3 tonal centers to “tune in” to your heart, throat, and intuition energies.
Outdoor Access in MA - Rest.Stop.Ranch applauds the efforts made by the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation to catalog the many universally accessible destinations throughout our state. We encourage you to check out their […]
Action Inquiry - I’m currently reading the book, “Action Inquiry” by Bill Torbert and Associates. So far, it is explaining a process I have felt myself living in the present. As I read […]
Oct 9: Tour the Gardens - Visit us at our home in Topsfield, MA for complimentary Garden Tours to be offered 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2010. Karl and Mary will share the story of their first 2 seasons spent developing a Koi Pond, Cut Flower Garden, Kitchen Garden, Ornamental Tree and Shrub Garden, Orchard Avenue, Raspberry Patch, North Lawn, Cedar Grove and Tunnel, East Lawn, West Lawn, and Secret Garden. Mary and Karl are working towards making the garden areas accessible by users of wheelchairs/walkers within the next 2-5 years.
Address: 202 Haverhill Rd., Topsfield, MA 01983; Get Directions; Read about Our Home