I went down to Jefferson Lake, to see the ice. We’ve had two very warm winters in a row– worrying winters, winters so mild the maple sap didn’t flow in February the way maple is supposed to. Winters that make you remember that the world is burning to death. But this year, just after Thanksgiving, it got cold and stayed cold for a week. There was rain and blowing snow, not enough snow to make the world beautifully clean,... Read more
Killing is wrong. There can be no question about that. Killing is sin. It’s a grave sin to directly kill someone and in the best circumstances it’s also a crime; I think most of us can agree to that principle, whether we’re Catholic or not. A just society would be one that assessed a grave penalty for every form of killing, and also gave people every opportunity to make their living and do all they had to do without ever... Read more
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud... Read more
The phone was buzzing when I woke up. It was a notification that a friend from across the country had heard the sad story of the Baker Street Irregulars and sent me thirty dollars in the Venmo– nothing like enough to solve the crisis, just enough that the poor woman could buy lunch and perhaps a change of underwear. I went downstairs for the Thanksgiving holiday. Adrienne and I bantered and laughed as we watched the Macy’s parade. We... Read more
On Monday morning, I took the Lady of LaBelle to get her weekly food box at the pantry downtown. The Lady of LaBelle, you might recall, is the grandmother and matriarch of an army of children and grandchildren who live with her in a rental on the corner, the ones I call the Baker Street Irregulars. She calls half the people on the block her nieces and nephews because it’s easier than explaining who’s a blood relative and who’s... Read more
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John: Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my... Read more
Hello Friends, I made a real post about twelve hours ago and there’ll be another one tonight or tomorrow morning. This is just my every-several-weeks recap of what I’ve done the past few weeks, where to find me when I’m not here, and how to keep my lights on so I can keep writing. This past few weeks was mostly political with the horrifying buildup and heartbreaking result of the election, but we also had the story of how I... Read more
I keep seeing people talking about bringing prayer back to public schools. I saw the video of the Oklahoma education secretary waving a Trump-approved “God Bless the USA Bible,” imported at great expense from China, and boasting that he was going to bring prayer back to public schools. “Bringing prayer back to public schools” is a phrase I heard spoken of positively growing up, and I’m hearing it again now. It makes me a little nervous. Here’s something you might... Read more
I dreamed the stars were falling. I’ve been exhausted for days. Jimmy’s boy and the Artful Dodgers kept coming over to help me put the garden to bed, a few hours every afternoon. It takes twice as long to do any gardening, if you have to stop every minute to find something harmless for chaotic Appalachian children to do to feel helpful. But somehow, in the midst of all of it, I pushed aside the dead sunflower stalks at... Read more
I woke up terrified, and sad. I have been learning to be happy for nearly all of 2024. I’ve had more peace and calm this year than in any other year of my life. Turning forty was the most peaceful birthday ever. Now that I’ve got a car again, I’m driving with virtually no anxiety. I’ve been going to church on Sundays and only having to walk outside for parts of the liturgy, without panic attacks. I’ve been practicing praying... Read more
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