Stubbornness
“Freya, come,” I called out the kitchen door. Though Heathcliff came and waited inside the door, she trotted in the opposite direction. Apparently, she wanted to run and bark a little longer before breakfast. “Heathcliff, sit,” I said, holding his food bowl above...
April Showers Can Be Taxing
Though April showers may come your way They bring the flowers that bloom in May Did I see lightning first last night or hear thunder? No matter. I knew the click-click of dog toe tails on the wood floor was Freya, leaving our bedroom, because...
Old and New Invaders
Last week’s warm temperatures and gentle rain brought a burst of spring to Vanaprastha, and with it the invasion of weeds. The usual culprits at our elevation are dandelion, chickweed, ground ivy, and broadleaf plantain. At first, the weeds look attractive to...
On Frogs and Princesses
At lunch with our mother last week, my sisters and I got to talking about our teenaged years and dating. My older sister and I confessed to breaking curfew—once for her, three times in a row for me then grounding—and my younger sister recounted her morning-after...
Risking Change
Keith and I pulled into the temporary driveway and parked alongside other vehicles. Our pastor had arranged a Saturday afternoon tour of the new church facility for anyone who was interested. After praying outside—thus avoiding the inside construction noise of...
Making Joyful, Imperfect Noises
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 100:1 (NRSV) Faith Yesterday morning, I climbed the stairs to the choir loft to rehearse a duet with the first flutist and the church organist. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we were playing...