Gather 'round…
Natalie Goldberg - the same Natalie Goldberg that challenged me to attack the why of my writing life - is nothing, if not full of challenges. If you haven't picked up Writing Down the Bones yet, you should. For a bit I used each 1-2 page essay as a writing prompt, but sometimes I just needed to keep... 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 →
Tonight, Lin-Manuel Miranda gives his final performance on Broadway as Alexander Hamilton. He is bowing out, after a year of intense success, and handing the mantle over to Javier Muñoz. Of course, it was our dream to see the original cast perform this revolutionary musical, and our dream it will remain. Five digits of dough... Continue Reading →
On the set of the smash Broadway musical Hamilton, before each and every performance, Chris Jackson leads the cast in pep talk and prayer. "Let's agree that for the next two and a half hours, this is the most important thing we'll do in our lives." Chris Jackson, for those 2 and a half hours, transforms... 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 →
I've spent the last week not being able to move my head much. Torticollis. Thanks to virus or misstep, I am not sure, but I am sure that short of childbirth, breaking bones, and events involving large incisions, this has been the most pain I've ever been in. Yes, that definitely includes the back-spasm incident... Continue Reading →
We're buying a car. I'd post about something else, but really, buying a car is kind of all-consuming. What makes the purchase really interesting is finding yourself squarely in the $2-3K bracket. There is not much car out there for that much $, but alas, there we are. The minivan was given its last rites... Continue Reading →
As I sit here there are 9 Rubik's Cubes within my field of vision. Things have gotten out of hand. For the record, my personal best time for the 3x3x3 is 1:25. (there are also 3 timers nearby) I'm getting faster, but my kids are getting faster... faster. I am soon to be left in... 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 hour,... Continue Reading →
On Tuesday of Holy Week, as we approach the Passion, we are often spent. Lent has wrung us dry, we are expectant yet exhausted, and we long for the warm fuzzy feelings of different days. If we are to travel with Christ, we must have more than feelings to fuel our faith. George MacDonald, mentor... Continue Reading →
We're coming up on the final days of Lent. It's been quite the journey. Today, just a short reminder of what drawing near to God entails, because it is so easy to forget: People in earlier generations had more familiarity with the characteristics of fire than we do. Until a hundred years ago, there was... Continue Reading →
Tales From the Nexus 