a cold little gift
Thirty-two degrees and snowing as I waited at the bus stop. It was warm for snow, although I was bundled up in a black wool coat and boots. The snow came down thick, heavy, and it flattened underfoot without creaking…
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pensive
just one change
The truism among writers is that if your writing touches “just one life” then it’s all worthwhile. I question that: I’d like to touch more than just one life, but I’ve heard from individuals who have read Emily Rose’s story…
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Secrets
I referred someone to PostSecret.com because of one of the topics covered, and she asked me if I’d ever sent them a secret. When I said no, she asked why I read it. Good question. If you’ve never been there,…
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On becoming wise men (and women)
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions (as a rule) although a few years ago I set up some writers goals. This year, I made none. Then yesterday I jokingly prayed at the beginning of church, “Maybe you can give me…
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invisible light
My daughter asked me what was up with our new smoke detector. I can tell you what was up with the old one: it had a nervous break down and kept screaming about fictitious fires whenever it got jittery, even…
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autonomy and misogyny
My Patient Husband and I somehow discussed the “typical” 50s-era home with the hard-working husband, the dutiful housewife, the clean and sparkling children. We’re failing on two of those three counts. I said something about him being the lord of…
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bleed-through
While at my mom’s and stepfather’s house this weekend, I came across the pad of paper my stepfather uses for writing letters. He uses email (in addition to making Galapagos Island calendars for charity, which you need to buy) but…
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one thing at a time!
My mom used to say, “I only have two hands. I asked God for ten, but he only gave me two.” Lately I’ve been realizing how I seldom do only one thing at a time. I don’t know if this…
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dead wood
Last year I spent a few weekends cutting and clearing vines that were choking my trees and cluttering my woods with debris. I was able to make a little headway, but not much. Over the summer, every so often I’d…
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death online
On my parenting board this weekend, we found out one of the longtime members had died. It’s hit the board overall very hard. She was a much-loved member, and it was unexpected. I didn’t interact with this particular person all…
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