In September, I told you about a family of artists that we’ve known for many years.  Recently I was cleaning one of our guest rooms, and was struck anew by the beauty of this quilt that hangs above the bed.  Created by Kendra Bayer in 1997, it is a series of portraits of women saints painted on beig...

He’s third
but will not be ignored
so ready to follow
but longing to lead
he knows that the last is not least
he will not be overlooked
chasing his brothers with sandy feet
he will charge the giantest waves
and brave the gnarliest surf
to play his part in life’s
comic drama with brio

Agua frio brio, bro!

Li...

Jacob as the younger of Isaac’s sons was not legitimately entitled to the blessing of a firstborn; by deceit he stole that honor from his older brother Esau.  But the blessing of his father came with a price—he had to leave home and find his fortune elsewhere, out of range of the fury of his brother...

water
running down
layer upon layer
with every
thaw and freeze
amassing
one small drip
suspended
on the tip
like spittle
or drool
sliding
falling
from the lips
of tormenting
winter
about to fall
until hardened
by the dropping
temperature
dipping faster
than water
can flow
splitting light
like shards
of glass
bright against
t...

The idea was a quick, snowy get-away with kids and grandkids at the end of Christmas vacation.  But the trip got off to a rocky start.  Dave and I had the car packed with our gear for the long weekend and drove to our daughter’s house.  As Meredith’s family pulled ahead of our car to lead the way, h...

morning opens softly
like the pale pink lining of a shell
to swell and expel the darkness

the day is just beginning
as all the little fisher-folk
head home to berth and bed

Liz McFadzean

Like a voyeur
in my own home,
I peer from the dimness
of a separate room,
through the French doors,
on my husband
at his morning prayers
bathed in warmth,
an angel observing
from over his shoulder,
a seraph with three wings--
one in each hand
and one under her feet.
The sun streams in from the east,
spotlighting ...

The 20^th century American social critic William Stringfellow identified Advent as the “Penitential Season.”  I think the modern church thinks of Lent, not Advent, as the season of repentance, but mostly modern man ignores the idea of repentance at all.  If, in preparation for Jesus’ first advent, Jo...

The snow falls softly at first,
big thick flakes that melt on impact,
then picking up steam,
blow sideways
and form a shimmery, gossamer veil
that steals the moment
like a half-rate, ham actor
chewing the scenery and upstaging
what is earthy and real,
hiding it under drifts of glistening white

but when the ...

In planning our long cross-country trips, I’ve settled into the sweet spot of about six hours of driving each day.  This allows us to get up for a leisurely breakfast, and takes into account any needed lunch and gas stops, ensuring that our arrival is before dark.  Dave particularly likes to get in ...