Amanda Shopa

Week 18 of 209 Weeks: “I would hurl words into this darkness and wait for an echo, and if an echo sounded, no matter how faintly, I would send other words to tell, to march, to fight, to create a sense of the hunger for life that gnaws in us all.” —Richard Wright, Black Boy (1945)…

Week 17 of 209 Weeks:May you feel lovedMay you feel free from fearMay your hopes and dreams be realized Photo Notes: This photo was taken at Pacem in Terris in Isanti, MN in Feb 2025. On a walk, I found this “footprint” in the snow. It took me a minute to realize the leaf, with its…

Week 16 of 209 Weeks: “Walk on air against your better judgement.” —Seamus Heaney Photo Notes: ??? No idea. Think I may have taken these photos at a state park? (I need to take better notes.)

Week 15 of 209 Weeks: “…because if enough of us believe a thing, then it becomes so.” —N.K. Jemisin. Photo Notes: Photo notes: This photo was taken at the last iron pour held at the University of Minnesota in Spring 2019.

Week 14 of 209 Weeks: Inauguration by Dave HedenstromWelcome to a despot’s Golden Agewhere Empathy is heckled off the stage:the Other is best gone, or in a cage,and Jesus just a useful tool for rage.Let those who know true Love not disengagein hope that History turns a better page. Photo Notes: This photo was taken at Pacem…

Week 13 of 209 Weeks: “You know that the antidote to exhaustion is not necessarily rest?… The antidote to exhaustion is wholeheartedness.” —Brother David Steindl-Rast Photo Notes: This photo was taken at the Minnesota State Fairground in 2020, a few months after COVID lockdowns started. The Fairgrounds are generally open to the public during the day, but…

Week 12 of 209 Weeks: A Korean proverb—산무당이 시림 잡는다. Translation: An inexperienced shaman causes people pain. Photo Notes: This photo was taken somewhere in South Korea in October 2018. Where? Which building? Temple? Palace? No earthly idea. Apparently I need to take better notes.

Week 11 of 209 Weeks: “The ultimate work to be done each day is to choose whether we will support our authentic self or support our false persona or dutiful self.” —Angela Arrien Photo Notes: This was taken at Geonsancheon stream in Jeonju, South Korea in September/October 2018. I didn’t realize anyone was on the other side…

Week 10 of 209 Weeks: “Outside for the first time in a long time/Lose yourself, sink into the sunlight/It’s been a while since you felt right/But the warm nights are coming soon and you’ll be just fine/You’ll be just fine/You’ll be just fine” from “Daylily” by Movements. Photo Notes: This photo was taken at Cheonggyecheon stream in…

Week 9 of 209 Weeks: “We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends, and improving our lives.” —Maya Angelou Photo Notes: This photo was taken at Pacem in Terris in Isanti, MN in November or December 2021.