spiritual life

On Advent, 10 foot tall Bumbles and blinging all the way

There was a season not long ago when the mention of Christmas brought the same snarl to my heart as a child opening a shaker of glitter in my kitchen would. Why? Just why? "Festival of Consumption," I grumbled inwardly while outwardly going through the motions expected of the mother of small children. Then I… Continue reading On Advent, 10 foot tall Bumbles and blinging all the way

books, spiritual life

Revisiting my mother’s Jesus

My mom's been gone more than three years now. That's long enough for me to have winnowed through most of her possessions, but not all. There's still some papers. I somehow have the cemetery lot deeds for literally everyone in the family -- as if the land where they are buried might be repossessed at… Continue reading Revisiting my mother’s Jesus

outdoors, spiritual life

On bears in the woods and a Psalms 37 & 91 world

“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity.”― John F. Kennedy "Did you hear that?" my husband asked. I did. A "phuff, phuff, phuff" that sounded like a dog panting --… Continue reading On bears in the woods and a Psalms 37 & 91 world

family life, spiritual life, women

Clothing the naked can be annoying

I don't suppose my household would actually go naked or hungry were I to suddenly expire. But, on Saturdays -- when everyone and all their stuff is home and strewn about, the laundry chute is full, meals seem to be needed one right after another, appointments need to be kept and I am the mom… Continue reading Clothing the naked can be annoying