Naming My Gathering Notebook

Naming her feels both playful and true.

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Hello friends,

Have you ever named a personal possession?

Many people name their cars. When I divorced my first husband in the late 1980s, I became the proud owner of Dudley, a very old Honda Civic with faded paint and a few “ooies.” Despite his appearance, I was thrilled — Dudley was my very first car as a single woman.

My kids, however, were less impressed. I still remember the first day I brought Dudley home. One of them looked him over and said, “I am not riding in that.” My reply: “Well, this is our car now. If you want a ride, hop in!” Reluctantly, they did. Over time, Dudley revealed his soul, and we grew to love him as a member of the family.

Ohhh, how I wish I had a photo of Dudley to share with you today.

Just like Dudley, giving a name to something can bring it to life — adding personality, history, and heart. That’s why I’ve decided to name my little red gathering notebook. It’s not just a place for scribbles and lists; it’s a companion, a keeper of ideas, reflections, and the small sparks of creativity that weave through my days.

If you read yesterday's newsletter, you know the benefits of a gathering notebook, you’ve chosen your notebook, and now it’s time to name it.

As I was choosing my leaf, I came across a piece of fabric in my slow-stitch stash. It spoke to me! At that moment, I decided this was the leaf I would use.

I’ve placed my leaf on the inside cover, patiently waiting for a quiet moment of stillness to complete the stitching. She has a name—after my grandmother, Leota Myrtle—but I imagine I’ll call her Myrtle most often. There’s a certain charm to it, like greeting a friend from yesteryear.

Keep an eye out—Myrtle and I have more pages, stories, and little discoveries to share with you soon.

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Hope you'll join us at The Kitchen Table on Friday, October 3rd. This month, we’ll lean into the Nest Retreat Center’s theme The Life List. Inspired by the Netflix film with the same name, we’ll return to our teenage selves, the ones who scribbled dreams in notebooks and believed in wide-open futures? What if we gave those voices space again?

October in The Nest, will find us creating our own “Life Lists.” Not quite bucket lists (which often lean toward grand, once-in-a-lifetime experiences), but gentler, more personal reminders of what brings us alive. It might be learning something new, rekindling an old passion, or simply giving ourselves permission to dream.

At The Kitchen Table we’ll gather to spark each other’s ideas and see what rises when we pause long enough to listen. Together, we’ll rediscover those dreams—past and present—and begin weaving them into the lives we’re living now.

Light a candle, bring a warm drink, and an open heart—the Kitchen Table is where connection, creativity, and stillness weave together, no matter the distance.

Hope you can join us!