I’m coming upstairs this morning from the laundry room when I hear a wee voice. “These are my pets.” I didn’t hear them come in. But Abby’s in the kitchen with Lillee. She’s wearing a Hello Kitty shorts outfit with a purple shrug, sweet new shoes (“they’re flip-flops!”) and some orange sunglasses. “Nama!” Arms wide […]
encouragement: i missed it
The letters, they come every Christmas, faithful as the sunrise, shedding light on their lives. We’ve known each other for over 40 years when we worked together, and she encouraged the cute “detail man” to ask me out. I say “told.” He says “suggested.” She says “encouraged.” We visited them in Fort Rucker and then in […]
Word Candy: When You’re Feeling a Little Dry
Have you heard about the new app in town? It’s this shoppe where you can stop and stir up a little sweetness, kindle some courage, whisper words of wisdom, and more. Pick a category, choose a line, and then match it with a photo. Create an encouraging card to share with friends on your blog, via […]
31 Days of Coming to Grips with My Age ~ Day 26: When You Fear You Have No Voice
I used to sing in a 100-voice choir, though it wasn’t that big when I first joined. I knew how to read a little bit of music because I’d taken a whole year’s worth of piano lessons. But I didn’t know how to make my voice create the notes. So I suspect I started […]
31 Days of Coming to Grips with My Age ~ Day 22: Re-membering to Restore
I slide into the polished pew next to D and sink into the history of this place, built over a hundred years ago, now restored. I’m immersed in a warm blend of pink and blue and green and gold, laced with intricate stenciling. A glass kaleidoscope rises on my right. Jesus and the children […]
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 […]
You’ve Got to be Dreaming! Plus Making Music (or Not) and a Retreat
I had a dream. It came in a big walnut box banded with black and white. It was the first piece of furniture we bought together after our wedding, and when I closed my eyes, I could see my fingers fly up and down those keys. I took lessons weekly after work, and she made […]
Into His Presence
Blue Hole at Laity Lodge It’s a two-hour drive from the airport in San Antonio to Laity Lodge. I watch the city clutter fall away as we head into the hill country, pass through open land dotted with live oaks and scrubby vegetation. I’ve tucked my Horseshoe Lake poem in my pocket because I’ve registered […]
Looking Full in the Face
She hands me the green and takes the blue. And we stretch and swipe and watch the birdie flop in the grass. And when it falls apart, we superglue it. We maneuver ourselves into places that block the sun so we can see more clearly. Because sometimes sight is better in shade. We avoid scratchy […]
Dancing With Julia–Or Not
We went to the symphony on our first date and then somewhere for a bite to eat. I ordered a shrimp salad. A bit extravagant, probably, but I thought he was rich. His parents drove a Mercedes, after all, even though they were farm folk. I remember how he encircled my right hand with his […]
