by Carole Duff | Nov 4, 2024 | Faith, Nature |
This morning, we woke to unexpected overcast skies, muting the expected change of leaves. Red maples, pink oak-leaf hydrangeas, yellow sassafras leaves shaped like mittens and gloves. Sheer delight, but this year, an unexpected trial: it’s dry, bone dry. Unexpected...
by Carole Duff | Oct 21, 2024 | Faith, Nature |
I had made the decision to serve as secretary-treasurer of our neighborhood association for one more year, but in truth I was undecided. I thought I should shepherd the neighborhood through the difficult discussions we were facing, challenges to “the way we’ve always...
by Carole Duff | Oct 14, 2024 | Faith, Nature |
“Flee for your life, Leisure Suit Larry, Flee!” I was at the Farmers Market on Saturday morning, seeing this beautiful spiderweb and remembering an incident that took place thirteen years ago. Larry, we called the small male spider, had ventured onto a large, female...
by Carole Duff | Sep 30, 2024 | Faith, Nature, Writing and Reading |
As I read about the devastation from Hurricane Helene, I thought about how people of faith have an advantage in dealing with terrible trials such as this. We know we are not alone. We know who to call upon for help. Those who missed the brunt of Helene know that it...
by Carole Duff | Aug 5, 2024 | Dogs & Other Creatures, Faith, Writing and Reading |
Though I wasn’t going to tolerate my step back from last weekend, I wasn’t entirely sure how to turn it into two steps forward. Until I read Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:1-3 (NASV 1995) Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner...
by Carole Duff | Jul 8, 2024 | Faith, Nature, Writing and Reading |
“What specific species is that?” our neighbor asked about a tree with a branch of leaves turning reddish yellow. We were eating a 4th of July Eve dinner—grilled brats, Keith’s baked beans, potato salad, slaw, and garden cucumbers—on the dining deck. “I’m not...