Someone landed on my blog the other day when they searched for “Hoosier cabinet.” I doubt they found what they were looking for. That short little post was written in response to L.L. Barkat’s suggested writing exercise from God in the Yard to play with words. In the section on “Habits” from her newest book, Rumors […]
I’m Afraid to Read Ann Voskamp
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Five Minute Friday: The Reality of Grief
I flip through the pages of Time Magazine until she breezes into the waiting room to invite me back. “How are you today?” Her eyes sparkle, and the corners crinkle. I flash a big smile. “Fine. Just fine!” I climb up into the chair, and she pins the bib around my neck. She flips […]
Because it’s My Birthday: Horseshoe Lake (revisited)
I planned to skip today. I mean, celebrating my birthday with the one who gave me birth being gone now two days shy of only two months just seemed–well, too hard. I even stripped my birthdate off my Facebook profile so it could pass quietly. I tried to share my feelings with one family member–perhaps […]
The Fragrance of Possibility
The world rests white this morning. A fresh palette waiting to be color splashed. When spring unleashes all soft and vivid. There are colors, Jodi commented, that we can’t see. Colors we can’t duplicate. Colors that will never grace a mixer. Kathleen talks about the excitement of a new box of Crayola crayons, becomes […]




