spiritual life

Always something there to remind me

"I can't seem to find Funkytown on Google Maps." bumper sticker wit It is probably difficult for Millennials or Gen Z-ers to imagine, but there was once a time when one could pump gas or buy groceries without listening to music. There are yearbooks to contend with, as well. Here I am in my 1980s… Continue reading Always something there to remind me

spiritual life, writing

In defense of small and quirky

"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of." Ogden Nash, American poet I once knew a couple who were clever in ways that made their very presence a delight -- even if their skills didn't bring much cash to their bank accounts. They milked a small herd of goats to… Continue reading In defense of small and quirky

family life, spiritual life

Enough light to keep from falling

“There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.” Leonard Cohen, Selected Poems, 1956-68 It was because of No. 2 pencils. We needed them. For one of those testing milestones that punctuate the teen years. My feet -- safe from falling -- even in the dark. "Let's walk to the store," my… Continue reading Enough light to keep from falling

spiritual life

Has our bloodthirsty world left us anemic?

“All crosses had their tops cut and became T's. There was also a thing called God.” Aldous Huxley, Brave New World When Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine, traveled from Caesarea to Jerusalem in the early AD 300s, the ink on the Edict of Milan was barely dry. In theory, the document provided respite and… Continue reading Has our bloodthirsty world left us anemic?

gardening, spiritual life

Hot mess or hot opportunity?

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Leo Tolstoy, Russian novelist The view from our kitchen window is different than it has ever been in the 12 years we have lived in this very old house. It's also different from outside the house, which is located on a busy… Continue reading Hot mess or hot opportunity?