What You’ve Been Given
It’s officially winter here. Snow swirls up and settles, finally, on the land. But it’s the worst kind of snow because there’s not enough to do anything with it. But the neighborhood children, despite the lack of significant snow accumulation, still coax sleds down hills all afternoon. And they still make snowmen no matter […]
The One Word Reminder
Years ago, I read a parenting book about the power of the one word reminder. Instead of spouting out long, elaborate directions to children, especially in times of transition (leaving for school, going to bed), you simply call out the one word reminder. Shoes! The single reminder houses an entire narrative: the child remembers now […]
Answer with Joy
Winterberry Holly This weekend, I could not help my fascination with winterberry holly. I love how vibrant the berries appear against a drab late-autumn landscape. Those berries challenge their depressing surroundings with a hallelujah of red. Thorny Cages They rise out of treacherous, thorny cages of leaves. They nourish entire populations of birds–over 48 species. […]
When the Competition is You
Last night for Neighborhood Fitness Group, we dance our normal dances and crawl around like wild animals. But then, the children beg for “The Jump Rope Challenge.” Turning jump rope in a basement is a challenge in itself, but we figure out a way to make it work. “The Jump Rope Challenge” isn’t a normal […]
More Than Enough
A long time ago, a friend of mine remarked that you can see things more clearly in the late autumn and winter. She said that the contrast of empty, colorless landscapes makes anything vibrant stand out that much more. There’s a focus you gain when you find yourself in stark places. I like that. I […]
The Next Step
My one-eyed cat, Jack, has taken another important step. Remember how wounded and sick Jack was? How unattractive and miserable? We brought him home and gave him all the love we could. He’d lost his ability to purr. He couldn’t even meow. His whole kitty identity seemed withered and dying. Then one day, he […]
It Really Works!
Green Tomatoes Leftover from Summer I was a doubter about the whole ripening-tomatoes-in-the-basement plan. Everybody said they would rot. Everybody said they wouldn’t taste the same. My daughter and I journey to the basement late yesterday and sit cross-legged before a box of tomatoes wrapped in newspaper. Just a few weeks ago, we gathered all […]
When “Plan A” Fails
Green Tomatoes Before the Frost We hear that a frost will come this week. It seems so tragic: dozens of beautiful tomatoes that never had a chance to ripen. But all is not lost. As novice gardeners, we take advice from a master gardener in our community. She tells us to harvest our green tomatoes, […]
The Fence Around Your Life
I’m driving with a friend who flew all the way from the West Coast to see me for the weekend. This friend knows how to get to the point, say the right thing, and change your reality. 5 years ago, she looked me in the eye during one of my darkest days and said, “God […]
When You Start to Feel Old
After church, I’m chopping vegetables to add to my pasta sauce, and I remember my garden. I haven’t harvested in weeks because the season’s over. The peppers are surely past their prime, so why bother? Those peppers are old, withered, and done. It’s cold outside. The leaves are changing. The garden is no more. But […]