I want to say something about Pope Francis. Lord knows I am a terrible cynic about the Catholic hierarchy these days, and they’ve earned it. I am shy about saying any high-ranking cleric at all is a fantastic person, after loving John Paul the Second so much and then finding out all that’s known. But I really do love Pope Francis. I’ve been off Twitter for the most part the past week or so. Bluesky is much nicer for... Read more
The times continue to be interesting. I keep thinking about what story a historian would make out of my life and times one day. I wonder if any future historian could ever convey to a class of future students how surreal it feels to be an American just now. Maybe it’s different in more exciting parts of the country, but right here, where the rust belt collides with the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, it’s only surreal. Here in... Read more
The names of the twins were Sammiel and Gabbiel. Sammy and Gabby, for short. The other night, Adrienne and I were reminiscing about the dollhouse and all the wonderful fantasies we acted out with the Japanese action figures and the G. I. Joes, who are much better than Barbies in a Barbie Dreamhouse because they can bend their knees and sit. I remembered that the parents in the dollhouse were named UltraMan Agul, because that was the kind of... Read more
She approached me as I stood shivering by the car. “Ma’am, can you give me a ride home? I’ll pay you. I just live near Maryland Market.” There are two types of people in Steubenville: the Townies who talk with some variation on an Appalachian accent, and the Frannies who talk with whatever accent they learned in the places they used to live, before they came here to attend Franciscan University. I was a Franny when I came here, and... Read more
I apologize for the sparse posting, my friends. My veteran readers know that this happens every February. Every February, I fall into a slump. In many ways, this is the easiest slump in years. The anxiety level remains relatively low. But it’s February, so “relatively low” doesn’t mean very much. The insomnia is much better than usual as well, but it’s February, so “much better than usual” doesn’t mean “fixed.” And with that state of mind and body comes... Read more
It started out with scrolling on my phone, catching up on local news. There were three horrific crimes in the headlines, and I can’t get them off of my mind. My heart started racing when I saw a by-line with the surname of the Lost Girl. I have been waiting in dread to for news about her and those children ever since 2023. But of course, this wasn’t her or her children; it was another child with the same... Read more
It was the most anxious of days. There is so much to be anxious about. If you are fortunate enough not to be American right now, I can’t describe the stress. I felt like I was in a dream for days. I’ve had trouble getting to sleep again– and when I wake up, I’m in a panic. It’s exhausting. In this mental state I kept putting off chores, until the compost bucket in the kitchen was nearly overflowing with coffee... Read more
It rained all day. It rained, and I was relieved. It ought to be snowing, but I’m glad for a thaw. A long, long stretch of uninterrupted snow doesn’t do wonders for my sanity, which is never very good. Last winter was only freezing for about two weeks, and this winter we’ve had at least six freezing weeks. Maybe we’ll have a few more. When I went out to get Adrienne from school, it was pouring down. Her hoodie... Read more
I opened my door at the end of the world. Everything is happening so fast. Every time we turn around, there’s something else to react to. My dear friend across the country keeps sending me messages about the immigration raids. The neighborhood is full of families who can’t find their fathers. They don’t care if you’re a criminal, and they don’t care if they’ve got the right person; they just seem to want to fill their trucks. Her... Read more
The cross is to carry. The cross is to lift high so the martyr can see it through the flames. To die to self upon, daily, as many times as it takes. The cross is to contemplate. To help each other bear. To lighten for one another when we can. The cross is to pray that God let it pass from you, but that the Father’s will be done. To trace on the forehead at baptism, and at Confirmation,... Read more
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