The trip from Edinburgh to Linlithgow takes about 30 minutes by train. Linlithgow Palace is one of the main attractions and is known for being the place where Mary Queen of Scots was born in 1542. I didn't have time to do the tour of the palace because I spent so much time walking the natural areas that lead to it. I posed with the statue of Mary Queen of Scots and had some great food in the city center. Here's a video of my walk around the Loch (yes, I probably should have recorded my video...

Weeks ago, I noticed a wounded butterfly in the grass who couldn't fly. I moved it out of the main walking path. I left it there, hoping for the best, but as I entered my door and stood in my kitchen, I couldn't get the little one out of my mind. My heart ached, wondering if it would be ok and if I could do anything else to help. I searched the internet and learned that if their wings are slightly uneven, they can't fly so I'd need to make the other wing even. Imagine me with small nail...

Another goal of this retreat - honor storytelling and how important it is as we grow older. I'm also reflecting on aging in a youth crazed world and went to learn more about the Scottish folklore of the Cailleach, a Gaelic term for crone or old woman. More on that later but for now, I want to give credit where credit is due of how I met Jane Mather. When I searched for Scottish folklore storytellers who have knowledge of the Cailleach, Scott Richardson-Reid came up and I messaged him to see...