Coming Up For Air

Tiny Flowers, Lichen, Oak Leaves, Stone. Along the Shore of the Frio River, Laity Lodge, Texas. A Ride Into Grace Last spring–before I knew my grandson would be in California for his sixth birthday, before I knew my son-in-law’s submarine would be in port in San Diego the last weekend of September, before I knew […]


Bears, Mamas, and Mama Bears

It Was February. Bears Hibernate in February.  Love, Claws, and Flying Children “We were tent camping in Yosemite,” Amy told us, sharing a great story in her inimitable style. “And I woke up in the middle of the night to this shuffling sound, along with this snuffling sound, and I knew–I just KNEW–that a bear […]


Now Serving: Fruit Salad

Vaite Zests a Lemon While Cadence and a Nameless Dinosaur Observe. Independence Day, 2012. Careful Preparations My niece Vaite offered to make fruit salad when our pastor and his family came for brunch during her visit. I was relieved: my arthritic hands fatigue before much peeling and chopping is done, these days, and I could trust […]


I’m Shining You On

Irrepressible Shining at Sunset. Will You Shine Me On, Too? My friend Mick Silva writes an encouraging meditation for writers every Monday. Recently, his reflection began with an anecdote: Charlotte runs down to the piano. “Hey, Dad, listen to this!” she yells up. She plinks out her “song”–three keys down, 3 up, down, up–the one Mommy’s […]


I’m Shining You On

Irrepressible Shining at Sunset. Will You Shine Me On, Too? My friend Mick Silva writes an encouraging meditation for writers every Monday. Recently, his reflection began with an anecdote: Charlotte runs down to the piano. “Hey, Dad, listen to this!” she yells up. She plinks out her “song”–three keys down, 3 up, down, up–the one Mommy’s […]