The human impulse to create and find meaning is a gift of grace. Grace is the opposite of “expectations” because it is so, well, unexpected. And, interestingly enough, grace is at the center of Great Expectations. ~Karen Swallow Prior, Booked, Chapter 4, “The Magic of Story: Great Expectations” What I came to understand […]
in which i’m not promiscuous enough about books
Since therefore the knowledge and survey of vice is in this world so necessary to the constituting of human virtue, and the scanning of error to the confirmation of truth, how can we more safely, and with less danger, scout into the regions of sin and falsity than by reading all manner of tractates and […]
of passings, plans, and a new word
I’m sitting cross-legged on my bed this morning. There’s a nuthatch on the branch outside the window–the window with the broad, cracked smile. The smile that D has sealed with transparent packing tape and dolloped with some whipped putty. The power line from pole to house corner sags and glistens in the sun, and […]
New Skin: Reflections from the Laity Lodge Writers’ Retreat
I’m one of the first to cross the threshold of the river into the canyon. The squeals that greeted me for last year’s retreat echo softly, then dissipate. I survey the dock and envision who stood where, who sat where, who clicked cameras. I remember skin-against-skin in hugs and handshakes. All’s silent now, still, save […]
Who Knew?
I joined Facebook four years ago. I began to blog three years ago. I linked up with The High Calling network two-and-a-half years ago. And somewhere along the line came Twitter–now over 16,000 tweets. (Am I too noisy?) Who knew anyone would actually read my words? Who knew I’d Jesus-walk in cyberspace? Who knew the […]
God Moments with G-Ma and Grace: Sugarloaf Mountain (repost)
We stay on the island as long as possible and then cross the Mighty Mac to the upper peninsula. Grace has waited for this all day. We travel west along Lake Superior and soak in the wonder of sky and water. Later He wraps us in pink and lavender and gold. The next day we decide […]
Of Green Mohair and Breakdowns
He’s had this green mohair cardigan for years. Charlene gave it to him. The same Charlene who scrawled across two pages in his high school yearbook. I tease him and call her “If-Our-Love-Is-True-Charlene.” And he laughs and crosses his arms and scratches them like he does when he gets embarrassed. But he still wears it […]
To My Mother: A Villanelle
I held you captive in my sight while evil fingers burrowed deep, and I heard you crying in the night. While you focused on the light and pumpkin-apple deer stood watch I held you captive in my sight. You pulled strings, made magic sleight with finger-writing in the air, but I heard you crying in […]
Unwrapping the Gift(s)
May 9, 2012 Linking this post with Ann and the 1000 Moms Project to help in the funding of a Compassion International Maternity/Child Survival program in Haiti for a whole year. My mom passed away on November 27, 2011. Thank you, Mom, for the simple gifts, for laughter, and for teaching me to […]
Photoplay From My Back: Comfortable
I hover over her, squint at her tilted back and crooked neck. Are you comfortable? She looks up at me. Are you? No. I tug and pull and fluff her pillows. How is that– are you comfortable now? She looks up at me. Are you? Yes, I’m better. And we laugh. She hates this, […]
