Dear Ones~

Well, spring is upon us. It’s nearly time to count the Omer! This year the count begins the evening of April 20, as always on the second night of Passover, and will continue through June 9, the day before Shavuot.

For those of you who have not yet counted with me, this may be the year you will walk through the seven weeks with the companionship of my first Omer book, Through the Gates–A Practice for Counting the Omer. You don’t have to be Jewish to count the Omer or to gather meaning from the book.The willingness to explore something new is enough to get you started. Take a look at the description, and if the book and the practice are calling you this year, order yourself a copy in the format that pleases you.

Now, about the second book:

Currently in the final stages of editing, it is similar in format to the first book, a series of letters with poems for each of the forty-nine days. I began to incubate Book Two during the Omer count of 2016 and continued with journal entries and messages to friends the following year. Most of the prose was written in the spring after the appalling results of the 2016 presidential election. I took my fears, my anger, and my hopes into the practice of counting the Omer and came through the seven weeks, as happens in some way every year, affirmed and strengthened for the work ahead that is mine.

I had thought to have the book ready for publishing this spring but, well, what can I say? I move slowly in matters of  literature, and urgent political needs do press on my time. But here is the good news: Though I am not quite finished honing all the prose, each day is ready to be rolled out in spoken form. My smart phone at the ready, I have begun recording!

If you would like to receive a daily email during the seven weeks of the Omer, with a link to an audio file for the day’s message, please let me know now. Each recording will be 3 to 6 minutes in duration, and they will arrive in your inbox at or near 8 pm every evening. I am asking for a donation, in multiples of $18 (Life!) to support the work.You may choose what feels fair to you and donate through Paypal. If you would rather pay by check, contact me, and I will tell you where to mail it.

Would you like to come along on the Omer journey with me this year? Give me a call at 215-447-5545. Or contact me here. I am happy to answer any questions.

Once again, the Omer begins this year on  the evening of April 20 and ends the evening of June 8.

All blessings as you step through your weeks~

Susan

Stone Stairway, Wissahickon Park by Susan Windle