Gather 'round…
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry My rating: 5 of 5 stars Confession: I've never read any Wendell Berry. So when I say I've been reading Wendell Berry, it strikes me as a very lofty thing to say. A dear friend called Jayber Crow the best book she's ever read. Another dear friend, upon hearing that... Continue Reading →
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce My rating: 5 of 5 stars Excellent Lenten reading, actually... I recently took up my priest's annual challenge to take a word into your heart for the year. Any word that gets you closer to The Word. Give. Or Love. Maybe Suffer. Then keep it close... Continue Reading →
The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows My rating: 5 of 5 stars As usual, it took me a little bit to transition from the last book into this one, but once I did, it proved itself worthy of the transition. Annie Barrows, while co-authoring The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society with... Continue Reading →
In an effort to keep the Christmas spirit alive and well in the dregs of February, I have saved the posting of this year's letter until now. I'm certain you can see the wisdom of this approach. It can be read here if you're in need of a late winter's pick-me-up. Chagrined, KJ
It was one of those few and far-between epiphanies. The forehead-to-palm moments. In Quiet, Susan Cain was pontificating on the need for solitude in concentration and creation. The basic need for peace and quiet when embarking upon any creative - or deep thinking - process. She wasn't writing about writing, per se, but she did quote a... Continue Reading →
That retreat, that last post about the seedlings needing tending, they both ushered in something I've never previously managed. Something I've never really even tried. Not for fear. Well, maybe a little for fear. But mostly because I have some very specific priorities, and while writing ranks pretty high on the list, it does not... Continue Reading →
And the starvation was effective. Somehow, by some miracle of January, I was able to break hard, frozen ground at my retreat, and push forward into a new project. There was a seed before, but the thing just would not develop. Compost is faithful, however, in heating things up. The manure of starvation and the fertile... Continue Reading →
I'm cold. I've been cold all day. Give me one day of decent temperatures out there and the return me to single digits and I have completely softened. It's been snowing for a few days and once again the lines are soft and clean. The bird seed and rabbit leavings have another fresh slate on... Continue Reading →
We are sacked in, once again, with frigid temperatures in Wisconsin. I wish to be that hearty soul that walks to their evening meeting, even when the mercury is dropping well below zero. I wish to be the one who gets myself out there despite the cold, just for the sheer joy of being out... Continue Reading →
Well, 10 installments ain't bad. A 3-month run. But today the Writers' Postbox must be laid to rest. Somehow it's managed to curb my posting tendencies and stiffen my attitude. Definitely not what I was going for. So... we move on. I imagine I might still write about writing. Randomly. Another in-flight adjustment is made,... Continue Reading →
I've been wondering why it is that flashes of brilliance - or at least flashes of our best selves - manifest themselves while we're in no position to act on them. Creative juices, spiritual prods, humanitarian urges. They all arrive when we are somehow incapacitated. I'm sure I'm not alone. You are resolved (and possibly... Continue Reading →
Give Thanks! Peace, KJ
Tales From the Nexus 