Searching for a Balance

 A young woman came in the library the other day - she was maybe, junior high age. She asked my help in finding some books she wanted. One o...

 I picked up a copy of Bringing Tuscany Home, by Frances Mayes; I don't know if I've read it before - I may have - but it feels new....

 The other day, after barely overcoming a migraine, I cast around for a book to dive into and there was Island Magic by Elizabeth Goudge. He...

 I'm enjoying this book by Chesterton, about Saint Francis. "St. Francis was not a lover of nature....The phrase implies accepting ...

 Now we have grackle babies, and I like to see them. I like blackbirds, maybe because they aren't vain. I also like blackberries. from t...

 Dolly is old, and when she washes her face, the fur on her head gets a furrowed look, like she's concerned about something.  Maybe it...

 The workers got their permit , finally, and today they replaced our water pipe. They said they would take out the mountain laurel, and remo...

We wondered about the reason for fewer cars at the supermarket. But it was crowded inside - funny. We tried to figure out why so many were s...

 "[When] the spirit from on high is poured out on us. Then will the desert become an orchard and the orchard be regarded as a forest. R...

 Last year, Cyndi had told me there was a schedule online of the military flyovers on Memorial Day - I never thought of looking it up - it w...

 From today's Mass readings: "I, John, heard a voice saying to me: Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will ...

 It was another very humid day today, and a thunderstorm came along in the middle of it - not too bad, and Dolly and I stopped our work and ...

Loving Father, because of the  Ascension of your Son  our human nature is now at home with you in heaven.  May this truth be our lasting enc...

 The windows are all open and it's almost cold in the house, but I'm okay with it. It was up over ninety the past two days, and oppr...

 A co-worker brought in a bouquet of lilacs, and they perfumed the workroom at the library. But it wasn't overpowering and I was surpris...

 It really seems like summer has begun early this year, except for today. It was barely sixty and rainy. I made a new recipe for the second ...

 We had a bit of a thunderstorm at suppertime. Well, it's been hot and humid for a few days - like July! I wonder if summer has already ...

 God is love; to Christ we pray - You are the way:    - lead us in your ways today and throughout the coming week.  You are the truth:    - ...

 Ordinarily I'd never buy a hanging plant this early; we usually can expect frosts in mid-May. But the days are actually hot, and this p...

 We're having very summery weather, like eighty-something, and with humidity. Dolly has definitely been  uncomfortable, restlessly going...

 A year ago we took down two trees, and lost a lot of shade in the back yard. We researched different tree types but then the nursery didn...

 I had to read a biography of someone living, for my reading challenge. I kept this in the back of my mind for some time - it would mostly l...

 Melt 3 (or 4) tablespoons of butter. Add two leeks, which have been cleaned up and sliced, two stalks of celery, chopped, and a clove of ga...

 It's May now - surely it's safe enough to put away my boots.  Everyone I know has high hopes for this month - April was a disappoin...

I had a cold last week, and am shedding the residual effects of it. I reached for a book to read, wanting a pleasant distraction, and picked...

  Now the bright morning-star, day's harbinger, Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her The flowery May, who from her green lap ...

 A month ago, my friend Cyndi called - I hadn't heard from her for a while; we hadn't exchanged Christmas and birthday gifts, and I ...

" In the risen Christ, wounded and glorified, we see all our hopes realized. In him all the wounds of our hearts, minds, and bodies a...

 Easter was so lovely this year. I mean, it was too cool - not even fifty degrees - but bright and sunny,   just very Easter-ish. And I was ...

Rise, heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise Without delays - George Herbert Human language falls silent before the mystery of resurrecti...

 "It is finished; the work is done. ..There will still be wars, famines, earthquakes, and other kinds of suffering too, which come in t...