Preparing for Lent this week (the penitential season of 40 days before Easter), I read the following words in our church’s weekly bulletin, written by our Deacon. A very simple explanation of a very profound experience, they capture how the church calendar mimics, defines and elevates the human experience. There’s a place in Christianity for … Continue reading
(or what comes after) Not one but two deaths, to hammer home that we are but dust, as if smearing ashes on the forehead just wasn’t enough. A memorial service, followed by another vigil, sandwiched between math tests, Latin vocab and baking bread. Old stories heard fresh reread and retold through a book of wild … Continue reading
March is mid-season Despite calendar or weatherman; Not the deepest cold Nor the full onslaught of color yet, But brown, and moody A tumultuous whiplash of weather. March is mid-sun An increase in light and longing; Not the strength and length as the year’s zenith Nor the watery and wan winter’s rays, But enough power … Continue reading
Hello, bug. I’m sorry it’s been a while. Last week was rain, and it’s awful hard to pull down the drive backwards when everything is so slick. Seems the cars nowadays just shoot around that corner real quick, and I can say for sure I don’t want to be surprised again – that poor young … Continue reading
“Hey!” I barked, with a furious rap on the window. “Get out of there!” The offender whirled back, black eyes pools of panic. He darted, limbs pumping, careening crazily from the carpet of green across the smooth concrete and into the safety of the neighbor’s yard. He stared; I stared. Beady eyes afar calculated the … Continue reading
Parenting is chronic. Sometimes you need to take a break, lest you lose your everlovin’ mind. Locking yourself into the bathroom alone, or miracle of miracles, stepping outside of the house without the kids, provides a blessed bit of space, which allows you to remember that you do, in fact, love these funny little human … Continue reading
Why do I write? Well, the better question is why don’t I write? What keeps me from putting pen to paper (clickety-clacking away) when it feels like I have so much to say? I suppose the short answer is fear. Fear of what? Let’s start with the external factor(s): what will others think? What will … Continue reading
Wedged in between the pristine beauty of winter and the glory of spring is a time that we in New England like to call Mud Season. Gone is the white beauty of snow; the bursts of life and color have yet to make themselves known. The brisk excitement of winter has become wearying, and the … Continue reading
I am unofficially following along a photography course that Ian is teaching. This exercise: create a mood board and photograph what inspires you. Since I actually just cleared my desk of nearly everything in my attempt to simplify during Lent, it was fun to pull things out for a review! Here are a few other inspirational things in my … Continue reading
I’ve been using a great book during Lent: Praying the Hours in Ordinary Life. It’s an amazing tool, beautifully written. There are poems and artwork, an easy about each of the “hours” (there are eight, the traditional hours that monks will stop and pray). It’s incredibly accessible, easy to use and it’s been a true companion recently. … Continue reading
"That got me thinking..." 