“What are you hiding?” She asked. I stared at her. “What do you mean?” (It probably really came out like “Whaddayamean?”) I’d been transcribing reports for Heidi, a rehabilitation nurse, for several months. “I tell you about my family, stuff I’m doing, but you never tell me anything about you. It’s like you’re in the […]
In Which I Pin a Bat With a Ragu Jar
(Photo has absolutely nothing to do with this story because… leaking bat) It is loud here. Very. Loud. It all starts when oldest grand girl comes out of her bedroom and begins to scream about the bat swooping over my head and around the living room and into the kitchen and back into the living […]
Are We Crazy?
Absolutely free! But it can cause worse damage yellow lace, age spots from rusting. Drives you a little crazy. Rust–one of the toughest stains, but all you really need is the safer substitute, a splash of something. Swish! A sweeter smelling way, a secret liquid that makes you tight and taut. It’s all you really […]
Spilling the Filling
Snow dusts the field, the driveway, the roof. A robin shivers in the pregnant branches. Feathers ruffle in the bitter wind. The feeders are empty, so I don my jacket and boots, scoop black oil to refill. I purposely spill some for the ground-feeders and for the love of sunflowers. I come in and […]
They Call Him . . .
September 4, 2012: Today I’m linking this post with the synchroblog celebrating the release of Inciting Incidents, where six creatives share their stories about collisions of dreams and disappointments, of clashes between faith and the “reality of our broken planet.” Be sure to explore the Inciting Incidents website–including the free gifts and a boatload of free […]
The Ache of Answered Prayer
It never leaves, this ache. I can press it down, punch at it like bread dough, pat it into a nice ball, and cover it up. But still, sometimes it spills. I think of Elizabeth, barren in her old age. Heart and arms heavy with the ache of it. As time passed, maybe she […]
Grit-Crusted and Glory-Strengthened
When I washed, I saw. ~John 9:11 (Message) There’s a hush this morning. Branches bow under the weight of wet white grace. I stand robe-wrapped and slippered on the porch and drink His whispers. Come to me all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Giant flakes fall, and boughs droop to […]
For When You’re Exhausted
I haven’t sat outside for a while, but this morning looks so inviting. I can’t bring myself to put on the pink sweatshirt my mom gave me to wear on my outings. So I go as I am–a sight to behold to behold the sights. The white robe’s in the dryer, so I slip on […]
The Gift of Paying Attention
I don’t remember now when I first started to pay attention. When I first picked up the baby camera and started to see through a new lens. Took those first steps. When I started to look for details or to see in a new light. My husband, ever patient, waits as I trail behind […]
Five Minute Friday: I Blame Trust
I blame trust. I leaned into it. Silly goose. It burned. Cut deep. Shattered dreams. “Close the doors,” I prayed. They opened wide. If I had not trusted, things might be different. Or not. Maybe worse. There’s no way to know. No way to know the rest of the story until the end. Were […]
