Easter Optimism
It rained last night here at Vanaprastha—more than I’d imagined while lying in bed and listening to that comforting sound. Early this morning, when I opened the door to walk our new puppy Cato, I heard the roar. The ravine’s moss-covered, slow-trickle was now a...
Sometimes I get overwhelmed
I knocked on my neighbor’s door and asked if she would witness my signature on a legal document associated with my mother’s estate. She agreed, and we got it done. “Thank you so much,” I said on my way out the door. I had less than an hour to scan the document,...
Becoming Sage
Early Friday evening, on the deck of our house in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, we dined on grilled fish over a bed of sautéed vegetables paired with a white Bordeaux. A gentle breeze stirred the warmth of spring at sunset. First-of-the-season tiger swallowtails...
Puppies are a lot of work
New puppy Cato and I are taking our late afternoon walk down the gravel driveway to the turn-around. Beside me, Cato ambles loose leash, sniffing along to find good spots to mark. Suddenly, he stops, eyes me, and jumps, mouthing my sleeve like I’m a chew toy. I...
There is no fear in love
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 On Thursday, I volunteered for open hours at WriterHouse and grocery shopped on the way home—as...
Curbs, mirrors, and guides help us stay calm
Keith and I adopted another shelter dog last week, a puppy we named Cato. When we first brought Cato home, he pulled on his leash and jumped on us despite our “off” commands. He chewed on Heathcliff and Freya’s ears, legs and tails despite their warning growls. He...