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Growing Ideas at The Cottage
Today, I’m previewing a new feature at The Cottage — Growing Ideas — informal, casual “mini-lectures” on something I’m thinking about.
I’m an extrovert. That means I share ideas BEFORE they are fully formed. I like trying things out, thoughts in progress.
Sometimes, ideas like this become a post, an article, or a book. But often they are just creative insights about particular issues or questions. Springboards to something else. Windows into a moment.
This week, I’m thinking about St. Brigid. Her feast day was February 1. Listen in and learn why she’s on my mind — and to discover the story behind the icon below.
In the video, I said that this icon was originally a mural at Trinity College in Dublin. It wasn’t in Dublin. It was in Dundalk; artist: Marian Noone (Friz). I did not see the original, but I saw prints and reproductions of it when I was in Dublin this past September. (Sorry for any confusion or mistake in my explanation!). You can read a bit about the interest in Brigid here.
Growing Ideas will start as a twice monthly feature for paid subscribers. This is a new benefit to paid subscriptions for 2026. This isn’t just for Lent. Growing Ideas will appear for the entire year.
LENT BEGINS on February 18
This year’s Lenten series for paid subscribers will be “Strength for the Journey: Encouragement and Courage for Lent.” For those of you who have read many of my books, you’ll recognize “Strength for the Journey” as the title of the very first trade book I wrote (back in 2002!).
In this case, however, “Strength for the Journey: Encouragement and Courage for Lent” isn’t a return to that original book. Instead, on each weekday (M-F) of Lent, I’ll send out an audio mini-reflection. Sometimes it will be a poem, a quote, a short reading from one of my books, or a new short prayer or something I’ve just written.
The point of this year’s Lent is simple, short and inspiring. There’s so much going on, Lent shouldn’t be a burden that adds to the load of everything we are carrying. Instead, my intent is to strengthen the community through clear, accessible reflections. I hope this will both encourage you and add to your courage.
Audio reflections do include transcript capability if you prefer to read.
You can upgrade to a paid subscription by clicking on the button below.
If you are a current paid subscriber, you may want to check your subscription. Visit our support page if you need to change an email address, if you are having delivery issues, or to update your credit card.
If you would like to receive a paid subscription but are not able to pay, please contact us! We’ve never turned away anyone in need who lets us know! EMAIL US HERE.
Lake of Beeratt. to St. Brigid
I'd like to give a lake of beer to God.I'd love the heavenlyHost to be tippling thereFor all eternity.I'd love the men of Heaven to live with me,To dance and sing.If they wanted, I'd put at their disposalVats of suffering.White cups of love I'd give themWith a heart and a half;Sweet pitchers of mercy I'd offerTo every man.I'd make Heaven a cheerful spotBecause the happy heart is true.I'd make the men contented for their own sake.I'd like Jesus to love me too.I'd like the people of heaven to gatherFrom all the parishes around.I'd give a special welcome to the women,The three Marys of great renown.I'd sit with the men, the women and GodThere by the lake of beer.We'd be drinking good health foreverAnd every drop would be a prayer.
Some versions include these words:
I should like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.I should like the angels of Heaven to be drinking it through time eternal.I should like excellent meats of belief and pure piety.I should like the men of Heaven at my house.I should like barrels of peace at their disposal.I should like for them cellars of mercy.I should like cheerfulness to be their drinking.I should like Jesus to be there among them.I should like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.I should like the people of Heaven, the poor, to be gathered around from all parts.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dianabutlerbass.substack.com/subscribe
View all episodes
By Diana Butler BassToday, I’m previewing a new feature at The Cottage — Growing Ideas — informal, casual “mini-lectures” on something I’m thinking about.
I’m an extrovert. That means I share ideas BEFORE they are fully formed. I like trying things out, thoughts in progress.
Sometimes, ideas like this become a post, an article, or a book. But often they are just creative insights about particular issues or questions. Springboards to something else. Windows into a moment.
This week, I’m thinking about St. Brigid. Her feast day was February 1. Listen in and learn why she’s on my mind — and to discover the story behind the icon below.
In the video, I said that this icon was originally a mural at Trinity College in Dublin. It wasn’t in Dublin. It was in Dundalk; artist: Marian Noone (Friz). I did not see the original, but I saw prints and reproductions of it when I was in Dublin this past September. (Sorry for any confusion or mistake in my explanation!). You can read a bit about the interest in Brigid here.
Growing Ideas will start as a twice monthly feature for paid subscribers. This is a new benefit to paid subscriptions for 2026. This isn’t just for Lent. Growing Ideas will appear for the entire year.
LENT BEGINS on February 18
This year’s Lenten series for paid subscribers will be “Strength for the Journey: Encouragement and Courage for Lent.” For those of you who have read many of my books, you’ll recognize “Strength for the Journey” as the title of the very first trade book I wrote (back in 2002!).
In this case, however, “Strength for the Journey: Encouragement and Courage for Lent” isn’t a return to that original book. Instead, on each weekday (M-F) of Lent, I’ll send out an audio mini-reflection. Sometimes it will be a poem, a quote, a short reading from one of my books, or a new short prayer or something I’ve just written.
The point of this year’s Lent is simple, short and inspiring. There’s so much going on, Lent shouldn’t be a burden that adds to the load of everything we are carrying. Instead, my intent is to strengthen the community through clear, accessible reflections. I hope this will both encourage you and add to your courage.
Audio reflections do include transcript capability if you prefer to read.
You can upgrade to a paid subscription by clicking on the button below.
If you are a current paid subscriber, you may want to check your subscription. Visit our support page if you need to change an email address, if you are having delivery issues, or to update your credit card.
If you would like to receive a paid subscription but are not able to pay, please contact us! We’ve never turned away anyone in need who lets us know! EMAIL US HERE.
Lake of Beeratt. to St. Brigid
I'd like to give a lake of beer to God.I'd love the heavenlyHost to be tippling thereFor all eternity.I'd love the men of Heaven to live with me,To dance and sing.If they wanted, I'd put at their disposalVats of suffering.White cups of love I'd give themWith a heart and a half;Sweet pitchers of mercy I'd offerTo every man.I'd make Heaven a cheerful spotBecause the happy heart is true.I'd make the men contented for their own sake.I'd like Jesus to love me too.I'd like the people of heaven to gatherFrom all the parishes around.I'd give a special welcome to the women,The three Marys of great renown.I'd sit with the men, the women and GodThere by the lake of beer.We'd be drinking good health foreverAnd every drop would be a prayer.
Some versions include these words:
I should like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.I should like the angels of Heaven to be drinking it through time eternal.I should like excellent meats of belief and pure piety.I should like the men of Heaven at my house.I should like barrels of peace at their disposal.I should like for them cellars of mercy.I should like cheerfulness to be their drinking.I should like Jesus to be there among them.I should like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.I should like the people of Heaven, the poor, to be gathered around from all parts.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dianabutlerbass.substack.com/subscribe