Coffee with Moe, Spring 2018

Coffee
withMOE
2018 Spring Edition

Table of Contents
From Moe
A big HELLO from Moe
7
18
Taming the Lions Share...
Spring ideas that lessen your summer need to water, weed & moe.
Adding Clarity
An alternative path to clarity
8
24
Carpe Diem
Seize your day!
Across the Sea of Space
The melodic & introspective universe of Laurie Brown.
14
28
End of Another Cuppa
A season, a reason and maybe another cuppa?
ISSUE 9: THE SPRING EDITION
April 2018
On The Cover:
Spring is taking it’s time, so this infusion of spring
colour is straight from my side table.
Previous Page: Spring Dreaming. We don’t always
dream in black and white. Very much like spring, a
flash of colour emerges from the monochrome winter
landscape. Oh Spring, how happy we are to see you.
All art , writing & photography*, unless attributed
to others, is by Monique DeNault
*Promotional Image of Laurie Brown provided by
Ty@Pondercast.ca
Contact: monique@moecreative.com
for Digital Prints & Commissions
Photo above: A lot of beans went into the making
of this edition of Coffee with Moe. Here are a few
of them. Photograph by Monique DeNault
(aka Moe)
Sketchy Filter from FilterForge
Website: www.moecreative.com
Blog: www.moecreative.com/blog
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/moecreative/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/moe_creative
Etsy: moecreative.etsy.com
Twitter: twitter.com/MoeCreates
Coffee with Moe Digital Magazine is published
in association with Moe Creative Inc. based in
Calgary, Alberta Canada
Many thanks to Family, Friends & Inspiration:
(Gratefully & alphabetically: AB, AC, AG, AL, AR,
BCV, BD, CF, CG, CR, CS, DD, DK, DL, DO, EC, ED,
EN, GD, GDC, HC, HM, IF, JD, JM, JR, JS, KH, KW,
LB, LD, LK, LM, LOL, MB, MC, MH, MQ, MS, MY,
ND, NH, NS, PA, PB, RC, RS, SB, SH, SK, SP, TN, TR,
VH, YK, ... You know who you are!).
Laurie Brown, Ty from Pondercast & all Moe Creative
Clientele.
All for whom this issue was created, with heart.
© 2018 Moe Creative Inc. All rights reserved.
Digital Watermarking on all photography by Digimarc.
Publishing made possible by Yumpo & the Adobe Suite of
Products.

Welcome to the spring edition of Coffee with Moe.
As you read this (If it’s fresh off the press) I’ve just landed in the South in France
for a solo month of exploration and diving into French culture. This is my fifth
year/trip, but I still feel the thrill and sense of privilege that bubbled up in my belly
and mind on my very first adventure.
I often hear from people that I am somehow “lucky” to be doing these trips. But
I don’t think this is really the case. It has more to do with getting clear about my
priorities, envisioning the life I truly want and being at peace with the decisions
that I am making and the work it will take to get there. Not only that, it takes a
whole heaping spoonful of spontaneity to pull off a solo adventure anywhere, no
matter how many things you think you’ve planned ahead for.
Why am I telling you all of this?
Because this month we are going to explore some ideas that may spark your
own notions of clarity, vision and peace, all while embracing spontaneity. I know,
spontaneity isn’t always comfortable, simple or easy, but it sure can lead to some
amazing stories and experiences along the way.
For many of you, a solo month in France might not sound exciting.
That’s great!
Because we’re NOT going to explore how you can live more of my life. Instead,
grab a cup of coffee and explore how it might look if you took a closer look at
your own life. Making sure that your decisions are leading you in the direction of a
happier and more fulfilled YOU!
So take a moment. Sit, sip and flip through this latest version of Coffee with Moe
and enjoy the food for thought that you find amongst the pages
I am always excited to hear what you think. So, please feel welcome to write me
and share your hopes, dreams, ambitions and any ideas you’d like to explore a
little deeper over our next cuppa joe.
Wishing you a heart-felt life of possibilities.
Moe

Adding Clarity
The other day, one of my readers asked where I got my article inspiration
from. While I gave her the short truth, that my writing is based on things that
I am currently mulling over in my mind, I thought I would give you and her
(Hi S.), the long answer in this months edition of Coffee with Moe.
It all started back when I was a Foster Mom. After school, very much like
other households, life rolled out in a series of rituals: homework, snack time
etc. In our house, I instigated another ritual, a sort of word game we played
using a deck of Angel Cards.*
Why Angel Cards? The purpose was simple. I knew the cards would be a
fun way for her to learn the meaning of a new and positive word, all while
allowing us to start a conversation about our days. You see, the game was
to pick a card, learn it’s meaning and then incorporate the positive word
into a sentence that revealed something that had happened to us during
that day. A conversation opener, a way for us to learn a little something new
about each other.
Fast Forward to many years later, last November to be exact. I was
preparing my over-arching schedule of this year’s written work, when I
glanced over and saw the pretty and recently untouched bowl full of Angel
Cards sitting quietly on my shelf. Acting on a prompting, I pulled a card.
CLARITY, it said.
I laughed.
Not only because that is exactly what I was looking for, but I had just been
thinking that I wanted to write posts a little more in-line with a short and
sweet ‘Clarity’ Blog post that I had written back in November of 2016***
Was this card a sign?
Maybe.
Mostly, I just got into the fun of pulling the sometimes eerily appropriate
words to spark many potential conversations between us in 2018.
Among the words I pulled for this quarter were:
Cont’d

Adding Clarity
CLARITY
PEACE
VISION &
SPONTANEITY
Their many meanings and contexts have been rolling through my mind ever
since.
As for the quotes? (Which I was asked about too)
Well, I also keep this process pretty straightforward.
It’s simply matter of finding a sentiment that relates to the ideas that I plan
on writing about for an upcoming blog, newsletter, or Coffee with Moe article
coming down the pipe. A reference that may resonate with the words I write,
while acting as a touch-stone for your own future reflections.
Please enjoy dipping into every page of Coffee with Moe. The subject matter
has been brewing in my mind for quite some time. I wonder what sorts of
things will start brewing for you?!
*For those of you unfamiliar with Angel cards, they are wee laminated cards
with a simple angel outlined on the back and a positive word with quirky
angel drawing printed on the other. Samples shown in the photograph.
**There is no magic in pulling cards, just your subtle intuition quietly at work
*** Link to the Clarity Blog Post from back in 2016.

Quote page
“
Gratitude makes sense of
our past, brings peace for
today and creates a vision
for tomorrow.
”
- Melody Beattie

Across the Sea of Space
When I was mulling around the idea of writing a piece on peace, I started to
think about all the external things in my life that contribute to that sensation.
I’m really fortunate, there were a lot of triggers and factors to choose
from. But, as I pondered about the idea, the feeling and the experience of
peace, I noticed a trend. There was a common thread amongst many of my
peaceable moments. This golden thread was the sound of music.
No, not the musical with Julie Andrews, but rather an ever-present
atmosphere that continues to weave a soundtrack to my life. While
pondering a little more, I realized that this month’s Coffee with Moe would
be poured from an entirely different blend. Not that of a one on one
interview, but an informal introduction to a pretty amazing Canadian Woman
who has been (and still is) breaking musical ground in my living room and
reaching the hearts of many listeners world-wide. This woman’s name is
Laurie Brown.
With not so humble beginnings as a host of The NewMusic and then as
one of the first ever V-Jays on Much Music, Laurie Brown over the past 10
years, has spent her time soothing the souls of listeners Monday through
Saturday night on the air-waves of a show called ‘The Signal’, part of CBC
Canada’s late-night programming.
It’s through the Signal, that Laurie Brown became entrenched in my almostdaily
atmosphere. During countless evenings, her thoughtful narrative
and ambient musical selections wove their magic into the pages of my
sketchbook and many tea soaked conversations. With the advent of CBC
creating Program-centric music stations, her musical reach came to include
Cont’d

Across the Sea of Space
office hours, all weekend and gardening time.
Today, you can no longer find Laurie Brown on CBC.
Sensing a need for creative change, she is forging a new path with the
creation of a Podcast she calls Pondercast. I sense from the episodes
available, that she is enjoying the creative freedom of expression
available to her now. With a venue that allows her to explore the
universe on her terms, through her eyes, with her sense of humour. All
while her listenership continues to grow.
As a patron of her current Pondercast project, I cheer for the likelihood
of her many future successes and hope that you will choose to ponder
along with me, as Laurie Brown continues to Pondercast into the night.
You can find Laurie Brown and all of the Pondercast episodes at:
www.pondercast.ca
*The title of this article is a nod to the quote from Carl Sagan:
“Across the sea of space, the stars are other suns.”

Taming the Lions Share of
When it comes to summer living, I want to enjoy the lion’s share
of my evenings and weekends. Don’t you?
To ensure this, I plan on turning a little spring elbow grease into
an action plan that saves time, money and effort. Check it out:
Summer Chores
1. Save garden clean up until after the last frost has past.
Why?
Because beneficial bugs like ladybugs need a place to
overwinter.
By making your garden a hibernation zone, you’ll keep a
healthy amount of these ladies for the spring and summer
ahead. Pile up your plant mulch in the warm sun of spring
and leave it there for a few days before bagging it. You’ll be
amazed at the amount of ladybugs that emerge from the pile
and make their way back into your garden.
As an added bonus, last year’s plant matter created an extra
layer of winter protection that can potentially ward off frost
and cold damage to tender roots. Letting the decay process
start at ground level is a great way to ramp up composting
and can save heaps of time by eliminating fall cleanup and
winterkill plant replacement.
2. Unless you are a seed saver, consider perennials over
annuals. With pure growth potential, perennials have more
than one season in them and may need dividing over time
(think free plants) Perennials may not give the big flower
show that annuals do, but you can always throw a few
annuals or seeds in the mix to keep pricing reasonable and
work to a minimum. If you grow a succession of perennials
(plants that flower at different times), then a lack of flowers
and/or variation will not be your problem.
Cont’d

Taming the Lions Share of
3. Think twice, plant once. Where you put each plant in your
garden matters. Every plant has a variety of needs. To avoid
replacing or having to move plants, know your requirements
before planting.
Summer Chores
4. After cleaning up decayed plant matter to fill your composter
and digging in any planned spring additions. Top your soil with
a fine layer of compost. Don’t worry about tilling, the worms
will do that work for you without accidently disturbing the root
systems of your other plants. More compost is not better, more
can potentially choke out any late comers to the garden. A thin
layer is perfect to get the process of enriching your soil started.
You only have to do step #4 the very first year. After the first
year, step #5 will keep soil amendment on-going.
5. Next, add a layer of fine mulch to your flowerbeds. The finer
the mulch, the faster it will compost down to feed your plants.
I use a mulch called Montane and my plants love it. Don’t go
wild with piling mulch on either. An inch or less will do. More
may choke out the life you are working to nurture. The idea
behind mulch is that it will act as a barrier to evaporation,
lessening your need to water as often. Also, it will stop weed
seeds from settling in. Repeat this step yearly as required. As
an added bonus, after a few years of amending your soil with
step 5, weeds become fewer and much easier to pull out.*
And that is all it takes. Five initial Spring steps and four annual
maintenance moves that work as a quick spring list of to-dos that
will pay off in droves as the summer months of upkeep approach.
Please do what you think is right for your garden and budget, but
planning ahead will definitely help you to make the most of what
you do and don’t have to do in the garden so that you can enjoy
your time in the great outdoors
Cont’d

Taming the Lions Share of
*Please note: putting landscape paper under a compostable
mulch is a recipe for a perfect weed environment and weeds
galore. (Unless you are putting down 5+ inches of mulch which
will choke out anything but trees)
Summer Chores
Landscape paper is optimal for laying on-top of any
compostable material and under gravel, rocks and any other
material that will not decay. **I learned this lesson first hand,
so save yourself the headache and learn from my mistake!**
“
Have patience.
All things are difficult
before they become
easy.
” - Saadi
Cont’d

CARPE Third Article DIEM!(SEIZE THE DAY)
Spontaneity.
It’s a thought on the mind of anyone who travels or is about to try
anything new. For some, the idea of spontaneity comes with an
inner swell of excitement, for others complete horror. Sometimes
it can be a confusing muddle of both.
What’s your knee-jerk reaction to being spontaneous?
Spontaneity for me, is an opportunity to try myself and whatever
I’m facing, out for size. Perhaps I will learn something new?
Worst case scenario, being spontaneous leads to an epic fail.
But I find that “fails” often turn into the best stories and learning
experiences. So, if no-one was hurt in the process, was it really
a loss? When I’m fortunate, spontaneity allows me to stumble
upon great opportunities, experiences and success. So, in most
cases, the effort to engage reaps some variety of reward. It truly
is perspective.
Now, to be clear, being spontaneous does not equal risky
behaviour in my books. (It might for some.) When I travel alone
for instance, I book a safe place to land, I tell someone where I’m
going and avoid dark alleys. The rest is about working through
any unfounded worries and fears while taking that very first step.
This spring, join me in seizing the day.
For myself, spring spontaneity starts while travelling in France.
(You can follow along on Instagram.com/moe_creative)
For yourself, the universe is open to how you choose to embrace
this adventurous exploration of your unchartered path.
Carpe Diem!
Did you know?
The map in the background is from a small town’s school house
museum I visited last year. It represents part of the playground I
will be continuing to explore while I am in France. I have included
an unfettered map on the next two pages so that you can follow
along as I seize the day and whatever it holds. I look forward to
connecting with you and hearing all about your adventures along
the way.
Connect with me on Instagram
With worry and fear on hold, until real cause comes along, my
experience has shown that the world is kinder than the evening
news would have you believe. Yes, danger lurks, but we’re also
smart enough to avoid unnecessary exposure while gaining
necessary courage with every new step taken.

Third Article

End Content
And here we are.
At the end of sipping another cuppa
Coffee with Moe, together.
I love creating this project for you, and
trust that you feel the same!
The coffee talk that flows after each
edition, is what keeps my creativity
caffeinated for the next edition,
SO LETS TALK!
The best way to reach me is always
by e-mail (monique@moecreative.com)
I look forward to catching you soon.
Until then, have a beautiful spring
-Moe

Dive into summer
July 5th,
with the next edition of
Coffee with Moe
www.moecreative.com