halcyon house

a worker owned holistic wellness cooperative

Author: Josh Jones

Tracy Murphy – Winter 2025-Spring 2026 featured artist
Through vibrant color and fearless emotion, Tracy Murphy turns her own story of survival into art that heals and connects. Murphy is a contemporary oil painter and cancer survivor from Western Wisconsin, and an alumni of the University of Minnesota Fine Art Program and the Milan Art Institute. Her emotionally charged works invite collectors to see themselves reflected in her paintings, and to experience art as a journey of healing and transformation. With bold contrast and expressive compositions, her paintings become a visual story of the beauty of transformation. Each painting reflects her belief that art has the power to heal, both the maker and the beholder.
Check out her website at:
www.tracymurphyfineart.com
Want to find out more about our featured artists?
Featured Artists
2025-12-20
Winter grieving
Finding Comfort in Community This Winter at Halcyon House
Winter invites quiet reflection and healing. For many, the colder months bring a natural time for grieving. It is a season to pause, remember, and heal. Recently, our dedicated team at Halcyon House experienced deep, personal losses. Navigating grief is never easy. However, sharing the burden makes the journey lighter.
During this difficult season, we lean heavily on our local community. We are deeply grateful for your continuous support. The kindness of our neighbors brings real warmth to these cold days. Truly, the strength of a community shines brightest during tough times. Your comforting words and presence mean the world to our staff.
As the holidays draw near, we invite everyone to slow down. The winter season often rushes by in a blur. Instead, we want to focus on meaningful connections. Let us cherish our loved ones tightly. Let us find true holiday comfort in simple moments together.
We welcome you to join us in creating a space for mutual support. Come share a warm cup of tea or hot cocoa. Sit by the fire and share a favorite memory. We can listen to one another, offer gentle smiles, and heal as a collective group.
Time with family and friends is incredibly precious. This winter, let us make the most of every single moment. You do not have to carry your grief alone. Halcyon House remains a place of peace, hope, and togetherness for all. We look forward to walking through this season hand in hand with our amazing neighbors. Thank you for being our pillars of strength.
2025-11-29
Fall recap
Cozy Community Connections: Reflections From Our Fall Open House
Our open house was so much fun. It was great to meet new folks and catch up with familiar faces.
Of course, our pup Sunny had other plans. She decided to help herself to some chocolate cookies the night before! I went straight from emergency vet care to the open house with zero sleep. Thankfully, she is safe, healthy, and hopefully learned her lesson about midnight snacks.
Embracing the Indoor Season
I always feel a rush of excitement when the weather shifts and social gatherings move indoors. This time of year invites a slower pace and a renewed focus on inner growth.
What does that look like for you?
- Diving into a great book on a rainy afternoon.
- Having long, deep conversations with good friends over warm tea.
- Spending quiet hours on a favorite hobby or craft.
- Baking homemade treats or crafting thoughtful gifts for neighbors.
Building Stronger Local Ties
Self-care matters. Take time to look after your own energy as the season changes.
At the same time, check in on your friends and neighbors. Small gestures build strong community connections. Whether you host a casual gathering or simply share a kind word, these moments ground us.
What is your favorite way to slow down and connect during the cooler months? Let us know in the comments below!
2025-10-07
Nature walks
Mental Health & Mindful Movement: Giving Thanks to Duluth Trail Builders
Who has been enjoying nature walks this fall? It is such a genuine treat to witness the dramatic change in autumn colors, the crisp smells, and that unmistakable, refreshing feeling in the Northland air.
While we do our best to get out and enjoy the many Duluth hiking and biking trails as often as we can, it can sometimes be a challenge to make the dedicated time and effort required for a “proper” hike or bike ride. Life gets busy, and schedules fill up quickly. Sunny (our resident pup) faithfully reminds us to get outside for a walk several times every single day. Truth be told, those loops are often much shorter than she—or we—would actually like!
The Value of Community and Outdoor Volunteerism
One of my personal community-building and social well-being activities that I have not been able to regularly attend this past year is volunteer trail maintenance with the Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS). I have been feeling a little bit guilty about missing those dig days!
The incredible network of multi-use pathways we enjoy across town doesn’t happen by accident. Because of this, I want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who has been putting in the hours doing volunteer trail building and maintenance this season.
- clearing brush
- optimizing drainage
- keeping our shared green spaces safe, accessible, and beautiful for hikers, runners, and cyclists alike.
Connecting with nature is a cornerstone of holistic wellness. If you are looking for a great way to boost your own physical wellness and social well-being, consider checking out the COGGS Trail Conditions page before your next autumn adventure. Or join a local volunteer crew to give back to the land we love.
2025-10-01