“All paths lead to the same goal: to convey to others what we are.” — Pablo Neruda
Current Events
“I Used to Be Important” - An essay published in Lion’s Roar/Buddhadharma on-line - https://www.lionsroar.com
Bay Area storyteller Neshama Franklin selected A Tree with My Name on It as one of her October Recommended Books for the Marin County Library: “This book delivers everything I want on the page: vivid atmosphere and stunning insights that made me feel immediately at home and in very good company. Highly recommended.”
A poem – “The Day I Went For An MRI” was selected for the 2026 anthology of Story Circle Network’s Real Women Write, Body Stories.
My Substack is gaining momentum. They sent me an email when I passed the 100 subscriber mark! I am enjoying writing and posting random musings every week or so.
You can read them here - https://substack.com/@victressh
Other News
I spent a wonderful weekend at Ensō Village retirement community in Healdsburg, California where I showed the film When the Iron Bird Flies followed the next day by a book reading of A Tree with My Name on It.
On July 13, at the annual Colorado Authors League Book Awards Event, A Tree with My Name on It was the Winner of the 2025 Award in Memoir! What a wonderful afternoon event at the Washington Park Boathouse in Denver, topped off by the heavy glass engraved trophy and stickers to add to the books!
BOOKCLUBS
“A Tree with My Name on It deserves a prominent place in libraries, recommended as a book club or women's reading group choice.” Midwest Book Review
I have been invited to a few book clubs, and I have loved hearing the many interesting connections readers make to the memoir. With its many different themes and storylines, A Tree with My Name on It is a perfect Book Club read!
PODCASTS & ARTICLES
Recording of a June 4, 2026
Live Substack with Kim Roberts on Contemplative Creativity
https://substack.com
Story Circle Network published my essay Holding Hands on their Substack Page.
A Tree with My Name on It is the subject of a blog by Gary Allen for The Mindfulness Peace Project. https://mindfulnesspeaceproject.org
Becoming Your Best Version podcast interview with Maria Leonard Olsen is live https://www.marialeonardolsen.com/podcast
It is also available on: Spotify and Apple podcasts
Art of Awakening podcast interview with Kim Roberts is now available on YouTube and on Spotify
Article on The Chronicles of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
https://www.chronicleproject.com
A Substack article about A Tree with My Name On it from Brad Wetzler
https://bradwetzler.substack.com
A video conversation with Jean Peelen on her program Old Women Who Write https://www.oldwomenwhowrite.com
Past Workshops
Calligrapher and artist Barbara Bash and Victress offered their first weekend AWAKE MIND: Write-Draw-Contemplate retreat in 2021. They have continued each October since with a weekend or day long virtual retreat.
“I’m always amazed at the depth of insight that comes from participating in Awake Mind… I learn something about myself and the world..” — Catherine H.
“The workshop was powerful for me. It took me into places I would never have gone on my own. I felt brave and supported.” — Eloise M.
“I appreciated all you both offered to this retreat - your wisdom, creativity and generosity. I especially enjoyed writing and drawing the haiku..” — Nora
In June 2023 Victress led an in-person weekend retreat with the help of painter/writer Irma Velasquez in Sebastopol, California. A small group of women spent two days together writing, meditating, painting and dancing as they reflected on what is means to grow older.
I felt so nourished by the weekend
The activities and the company.
Thank you. — Lea B.
I am loving bringing more awareness of each moment into
my daily life at home. — Gena M.
It was an amazing retreat. Thank you for the care and thought
you gave as you took us through the process. — Irma V.
"It was absolutely inspiring, mind-blowing, and an awakening experience for me.” — Fitri
"I loved Victress's relaxed informative style. I really had fun and felt greatly supported writing." — Becca
"I appreciated her presence, sense of humor, and knowledge of subject matter."
— C.R.