spiritual life

What a year of innkeeping has taught me about readiness

There's the TED Talk stuff, of course. Work as a team. Communicate. Monitor your supplies -- first in, first out. But, the thing that has really stood out in this sea-change year -- a year sparked by the convergance of a sudden step back from a career in journalism and an emptied nest -- is… Continue reading What a year of innkeeping has taught me about readiness

family life, women

When C+ is enough

“Rest and be thankful.” William Wordsworth, British poet  Once, when I was just old enough to read but not old enough to do much of anything else, I loved poring over household hints in magazines. The kitchen violets are so very pretty. Sunlight reveals my terrarium-cleaning skills are C+ at best. So it goes. Now,… Continue reading When C+ is enough

family life

The Ferris of them all

"Bueller. Bueller. Bueller..." from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," the movie An odd reflection of our harried times and the generation gap, here is a slightly fictionalized snippet of conversation from our dinner table the other night. Me to heavily-scheduled teen daughter: "You seem really worn out. Why don't you just take a day off school?… Continue reading The Ferris of them all