If you start a book club and if you meet once a month, every month for almost three years, and if you have a book society retreat in the nearby city for a long weekend in January of 2023 and again in March of 2024, then you might find your book clerisy in February of…
On Reading And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer
The fire crackles in the soapstone. The pomegranate and pine candle flickers, enswathed in heavy green patterned glass. Lamplight glows warm on the north wall where we laid brick last Saturday. Of course, by we, I mean my good farmer man, our son, and my brother.I curl into the curve of the couch, dig my…
Books I Read in 2024 and Found To Be Delightful
January dances away on the calendar as I sit and type this. We’ve had snow and ice and snow again and cold temperatures to go with it all. I haven’t minded. Granted, I’ve been able to stay inside my warm and cozy house during most of it, thus not so much to mind. It has…
A Reflection on What Worked For Me in 2024
I like making lists. I like reading lists. I’ve followed a practice for a number of years held by the Modern Mrs. Darcy and Emily P. Freeman. They ask the questions “What worked for me?” “What didn’t?” Today, I’m pecking away at my keyboard to join in on this reflection. Another variation to consider in…
Of Christmas Past, Of Christmas Present, & Of Christmas Future
Christmas Present The flame hisses to life when I hold the flickering match to its base. The light shines through the green glass of the pine-scented candle. I shake the match, run it under a quick stream of cold water. It sits, black and burnt, reduced to quiet. I toss it into the trash receptacle…