Swarthmore Labyrinth

Yesterday I met 2 friends in Swarthmore, PA to show them the labyrinth at The Swarthmore Presbyterian Church on Harvard Avenue. First we spent an hour or two at Pendle Hill (a Quaker Retreat & Study Center) but the rain kept us from walking the classical 7 circuit labyrinth. But we did have the opportunity to walk the grounds (with an umbrella) to see the gardens, art studio, library, barn, bookstore and main house.

Eventually we decided we were hunger so we headed to the "Ville" or downtown Swarthmore to grab lunch. Fortunately the skies decide to take a short break (but alas the humidity did not!) so we went to the Presbyterian Church to see their Memorial Labyrinth and Gardens. The weather cooperated so we walked the Medieval or Chartres pattern.

entrance to the labyrinth garden...
names of those memorialized are  posted on the far wall.

a closer look at the labyrinth

Walking this labyrinth brings back many memories. One such memory occurred 7 or 8 years ago as I was walking solo in the labyrinth. To the right of the gardens is a children's playground (not pictured) and a young girl (maybe 3 or 4) was playing on the equipment with her father. I could hear part of the conversation and lots of laughter. Then I heard the young girl ask her father "Daddy, why is that old lady walking around in circles?" I have no idea how he responded because I immediately began laughing out loud - I guess I became the crazy old lady walking around in circles!

a view of the labyrinth and gardens from the memorial wall.

The labyrinth is located in a hedged lined garden. The house in the background is the ABC Strath-Haven Boy's House. Tiombe, does the house bring back memories?!!

oh! if only this tree could talk a language I understood!

After our walk and before we headed to Occasionally Yours for lunch...we rested!

Mary Anne & Jupie

A Local Labyrinth Adventure

Today I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with my friend and talented harpist, Jupie and her hubby. After watching the last 15 minutes of the Tour de France (ouch..crashes and off the course in the last minute!) we headed out to her backyard where she has created a very powerful and creative labyrinth.

Her labyrinth has been lovingly created in a grove of trees using mulch. The path meanders around trees - in and out, out and in until you settle in the center.

From this angle it is difficult to see the path but once you begin walking the path reveals itself!

We then went to a neighboring park and they introduced me to a really cute labyrinth created by shrubbery and bricks. The small park in Thornbury Township Pennsylvania is an ode to the circle. The circular labyrinth, a circle of picnic tables, a cement circle with a hopscotch court painted on it and a wishing wheel. There was no signage concerning the labyrinth but it is a tranquil and quiet setting for centering.

Thornbury Township Labyrinth

And of course, it can't be all labyrinth's and centering. 2 over-sized Adirondack chairs provide a platform for fun, laughter, climbing and togetherness.

Some people never grow up!!

Finally, this Cherry tree is located by Jupie's labyrinth has a hollowed out spot. The space was created by woodpeckers (must be a great tasting tree!) and I think it would be a great space to yarn-bomb...more on that later.

my next yarn bomb??

I love discovering things in my own backyard.  So, what adventures await you in your backyard?