WandaLand - Your Invite 💌

For quite some time, I've been struggling with how to be more helpful in this chaotic, troubling world. There are so many suffering people, nature is being decimated too.

It's the feeling of being adrift in a sea with no shore in sight.

Even though I work as a mental health therapist and commit my life to helping others, things weren't totally clicking in a way that felt fulfilling. Then recently and blessedly my friend Megan asked about sharing Wanda Petunia's passports at her annual spiritual summer camp.

This touched my heart.

Some time later, I went to reiki. The practitioner Asha didn't know Wanda as Megan did. Still, at the end of my session Asha informed me that my pig "Petunia" had shown up and wanted me to listen to her more... to spend more time with her. "And," Asha added, "she was wearing a red dress."

When Wanda came into my life (now decades ago), she brought many blessings to me personally... stories, lessons, reminders I needed. Even ideas I'd never heard related to self-care.

Over a period of years, I created self-published books, fiber plushies, shared workshops and lots of Wanda love. But, Wanda (the empire) wasn't growing like I thought she should be >> and eventually in frustration I took a pause from time with Wanda.

I sent Wanda on sabbatical.

It's been awhile.

My work as a therapist supports me to live on earth. While it would've been and could be nice for Wanda to take off like Hello Kitty, that's not the focus I'm meant to have with her.

Asha also reminded me that Wanda has been with me a long time, probably since childhood - but I didn't discover her until I was an adult, a young-ish mom.

Wanda is my imaginary and also very real friend. She is the bringer of many good things.

So I am pleased to be back in touch with Wanda and will treat her with the respect she deserves ~ as I begin again to share her wisdom and joy. Along with our best friend Beefy Parisian Pig and some new friends, there will be more stories and adventures you can join too.

For now, I still need to sit with Wanda and iron out details.

But already, there are glimpses.

My Substack "Healing through Creativity" is changing to WandaLand.

The Wanda website where there have been sporadic posts in the Love Note Blog will now become WandaLand stories featuring friends of Wanda as they make their way through life.

If you need/want a supportive place to land for:

Positive, caring community

Hopeful, helpful stories

Ways to keep your body healthy - physically and mentally

Support for animal- and planet- friendly meals and products

Time for the serious stuff

Time for fun

Gatherings and special events (maybe in person!!)

Creativity inspiration

and more...

I hope you will join Wanda ( and me) here.

Many of you have been long time Wanda fans, sometimes even asking "What would Wanda do?"

She would tend to her own healing AND she would help others! That's what we are here to do... together!

XOink, Amy

I painted this flying pig Wanda while pet sitting for my son and his girlfriend in the summer of 2024. At the time, I had not painted or drawn Wanda in awhile so it was freeing to be with her again.

  I'd been walking the Brooklyn neighborhood and feeling adrift when I saw this license plate. I guess Wanda might own a Honda! 😂🥰🐷