The broiling air felt delicious after spending the morning in air conditioning. I sat in the shade of a grandfather oak in the backyard of a rental house. The Texas heat contained only trace amounts of humidity, so it felt as if a giant oven door tipped open. I relaxed in the Adirondack chair and …
Bright lights, white lights assault her, not the muted pink and gentle darkness to which she was accustomed. Stark light and emptiness surround her, where always water buoyed and rocked her on all sides. Instinctively she wails, clenching her hands to her chest and pulling her knees up tightly. She gulps a huge breath and …
On my walk this morning, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Gorgeous pansies, a deep velvety purple suitable for a king’s robe, as well as yellow ones with faces of pure sunshine, and orangey-red ones withered in a heap on the street. Twice I turned to go back, thinking of scooping up the best and planting …
It’s the strangest thing to step out the back door with mowers thrumming in the neighborhood and motorcycles zipping on the interstate a mile away then to spot a dark speck circling overhead. The form is a red-tailed hawk unexpected in this environment, but there he is lazing in curves. His eyesight amazes me. He …
Our government has taught me an important lesson the past few weeks. I’m putting it to better use. Beginning in February, we heard rumbles about a new coronavirus ripping across China. Soon we were told to wash our hands and stay home if we were sick (duh). Then new instructions started airing daily. Curtail travel, …
I look forward to Lent. How is that possible? Lent is six and a half weeks of examining my darker side, a time of self-denial and of focus on the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. I wish Lent would hurry and get here, because I am sick and tired of indulging myself, literally. I crave …
I writhe on the green faux-leather couch. I am the center of a tug-of war-with siblings pulling on my arm and leg, yanking, fighting with each other through my body. The couch’s smooth cover and rigid arms both advance and limit my sliding, this way then that, preventing a decisive win for either side. I, …
Alicia folds into her assigned plane seat. Adjusting earbuds, she is soon lost in the music, oblivious to fellow travelers in her row. With eyes closed and head bobbing, she lip-sings one song after another during the flight. The album captured her the first time she heard it, and she has been listening to it …
Bags packed. ✔️ Boarding passes printed. ✔️House locked. ✔️TSA traversed.✔️ We found two vacant seats, parked our carry-ons and sat. Whew. A quiet Voice gained my attention,“Why are you so uptight? Reset your perspective.” I pulled out the earbuds and wedged them in my ears, then found an app a friend shared (Pray As You …