Gather 'round…
A friend shared this poem with me a few months ago. I am certain she was not complimenting me. Probably more of a call to action. Nevertheless, it is beautiful and I would love to share... To Be of Use The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the... Continue Reading →
A little follow up on yesterday's post... It took me a while to find it, as the much-coveted book has already been surrendered to the library, but I thought it worth reposting Mike Perry's closing essay from Roughneck Grace. Kind of sums up those times around the fire, no matter how they're spent. A bit... Continue Reading →
Mid-July, in an email exchange revolving mostly around calculus, carpooling, and a boy named Fred, my dear friend - let's call her Yolanda* - appended the following personal news: Yolanda: Our clothes dryer broke down, so I picked one up for $35 on Craigslist. Hoping it doesn't burst into flames. For now underpants are on... Continue Reading →
It has been said that tough things, painful things, are grist for the writing mill. Recently, friend of mine threw that one out there second-hand—the roll of her eyes and snort of derision reaching through the email screen. She offered it up to a mutual writing buddy, in case they might draw any more comfort... Continue Reading →
I am enjoying a mediocre Chicken Marsala on the lowest deck of Jake's Supper Club when my attention is stolen from my companions by a puttering Murray lawn tractor. Across the river, an older gentleman, clad in 1980's swim trunks and a matching yellow life jacket, both faded and stretched well beyond their intended usage,... Continue Reading →
We're home. Oh, man, are we home. It was a rollercoaster of a trip, really, from an underwhelming rowhouse rental in DC, to glorious visit with beautiful friends all along the East Coast. From a transmission that thought it might want to drop out on us, to operational AC for the entire trip (Woot! Woot!). From... Continue Reading →
Spring has sprung. I have a feeling we're still in for some more cold days here in northern Wisconsin, but for today we are reveling in the newness of the sun and warmth. I've been upright all day, by the way. Pretty exciting stuff, given my past 8 days spent horizontal. I. Will. Take. It.... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite blogs, full of inspiration and grace. With so much noise, it is lovely to have light cast your way.
KJ
“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis
To explore unhindered
To release the longing spirit
To wander into wonder
To discover adventure where you’ve walked before
To find what has always been in reach
Off leash of what binds and holds you back
Free from self-imposed limitations
Free from expectations
Free from the past and future
Free from maps, plans and time
Free to embrace and be embraced
Go off leash today and take it all in.
“The ground we walk on, the plants and creatures, the clouds above constantly dissolving into new formations – each gift of nature possessing its own radiant energy, bound together by cosmic harmony.” – Ruth Bernhard
It went out this morning. Well, at least the digital edition did. Due to budgetary constraints, we're utilizing the miracle of the free interwebs this year, for all of our loved ones who have enough techno-literacy to open a pdf. You can find it here: 2015 Christmas Letter For the rest, she's on her way to the... Continue Reading →
Facebook: It’s not really my thing. Before you bear fangs, let me explain. I love that Facebook is helping long lost best friends keep in touch over many miles and years. And all those cat pics are certainly cute. I even have a certain uncomfortable affinity for the socially acceptable and politically correct voyeurism born of... Continue Reading →
I judge. It is what I do. I am a people watcher from the word go, and for me it is not generally an exercise in edification, mine nor those so tormented to be found beneath my gaze. I do work very hard to stand in the way of my own comfort at the bench,... Continue Reading →
I have wanted to "make books" since around the sixth grade, and I published my first book when I was in my late thirties. My point is that the time in between was not wasted - submarine service, marriage, college, bringing up three kids, starting a school for them, and so forth. This kind of... Continue Reading →
Tales From the Nexus 