Gather 'round…
I've been slowly making my way through Sig Olson's wilderness essays, Wilderness Days. They're gorgeous. I sent the kid up to the outfitting job with a copy, because where better to work through essays on the Boundary Waters than on the edge of the Boundary Waters? I don't know if she's had the time or energy... Continue Reading →
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan My rating: 4 of 5 stars I've been reading a lot of very picturesque fiction. Quaint people in quaint places. Nostalgia. Beautiful stories, artfully told, deep and lovely messages woven into the fabric of every page. Lots of epistolary forms, letters shooting this way and that, drawing me... Continue Reading →
It's been a wild ride. But here I am, settling back into a normal, albeit new routine, and it feels good. Two weeks ago, we took kiddo #3 to Madison for the State National History Day event. We toured the Capitol. We ate Nepalese. And she, with her intrepid partner, did great, and had the 5th... Continue Reading →
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce My rating: 5 of 5 stars If it is possible, Queenie's story is even more compelling than Harold's. This is a beautiful book. Harold's story, from The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, is told here from the perspective of the woman he is walking to... Continue Reading →
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 →
If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first... Continue Reading →
I feel a latecomer to Lent this year. The 11th hour worker. I've been Orthodox for fifteen years this year. This is my fifteenth Lent. And somehow every one is still different. I don't know that I truly came late to the Lenten spirit this year, but the differences were not subtle, and it didn't... Continue Reading →
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman My rating: 5 of 5 stars And the string continues... What a great tale. Backman hits the nail on the head when entering the head and heart of the curmudgeon, and all those around him. He pulls no punches, and brings Ove to life in brilliant color. He's... 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 →
My husband did not argue. I've been on a month-long dairy-free experiment these days, partly hoping to clear up a six-week plugged ear, and partly as an exercise in solidarity with my dairy-free fifteen-year-old. Dairy is one of those things that gives me cold sweats to consider living without. I love it. Cheese makes everything... 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
![[Way Back Wednesday] I am misplaced](https://i0.wp.com/kjottinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/img_20200118_135903.jpg?resize=40%2C40&ssl=1){kind=small}
Tales From the Nexus 