by Carole Duff | May 6, 2019 | Faith, Nature, Writing and Reading |
A couple of weeks ago, a wood thrush banged into one of our windows. Other birds have done the same and recovered, like last summer’s Scarlet Tanager and more recently, this yellow-bellied sapsucker. Keith and I had not seen wood thrushes here at Vanaprastha, though...
by Carole Duff | Apr 29, 2019 | Faith, Family, Writing and Reading |
One day, spring semester 1981 in my American Humanities class at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, we viewed a slide of Mary Cassatt’s Mother and Child. As a young and somewhat pretentious teacher, I pronounced Cassatt’s last name in French—apologies to my students. Also,...
by Carole Duff | Apr 8, 2019 | Faith, Family, Local or Human Interest, Nature, Writing and Reading |
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 people...
by Carole Duff | Mar 18, 2019 | Faith, Nature, Writing and Reading |
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 “Lord...
by Carole Duff | Mar 11, 2019 | Faith, Family, Writing and Reading |
Today, I’m heading to DC to meet my daughter for dinner. She’s in town on business and has a little time to spend with Mom. How could I resist? In honor of Women’s History Month, here’s the story behind my daughter’s name, another guest blog of mine posted on The...
by Carole Duff | Mar 4, 2019 | Dogs & Other Creatures, Faith, Nature, Writing and Reading |
Saturday morning, we woke to ice-coated decks and trees. The temperature was right at freezing and rising. I knew the ice would melt and drip on Heathcliff and me during our morning walk, so I donned my rain jacket. What I was not prepared for was the sound of...