Poison ivy, phone issues, a leaky sink, and tenacious weeds could have ruined my week. Lucky for me—life is bigger than bad moments, and free will is the true test of love. There is an old oak tree that stands on the edge of our property, and every time I […]
I’m Making Mine
Imogen trudged down the porch steps of her sister’s farmhouse, doing a quick kindness and her civic duty. She crossed the yard, lugging two large bags to the burn barrel while pattering footsteps followed close behind. She hoped it wasn’t the murdering demon that had kept her up half the […]
CWG Book Blast! “The Boy Who Knew (Carlo Acunis),” by Corinna Turner
This month, the Catholic Writers’ Guild is touring Corinna Turner’s book, “The Boy Who Knew (Carlo Acutis)” It is a CWG Seal of Approval recipient! Teaser in the form of a sentence: Daniel’s got leukemia—can a holy dead boy help him? Summary: “You have leukemia.” Daniel’s just received the worst […]
What Really Matters?
As I maneuver between the goalposts of my day, I brush up against all sorts of realities. Some deceivingly mundane, some clearly molehills, others require deep prayer to survive their clutching, smothering embrace. As a sat in the library on a Saturday morning where I had offered a writers’ support […]
Nocturne Blest
As the sun drops beyond the horizon low, Leaving the crimson world aglow, I stand alone between flowers and trees, Soaking in a gentle breeze. Fireflies twinkle in fairy-land darts, Easing mind, soul, and heart. In noontime heat, I stroll the familiar beat. Stepping around molehills and brushing off flies, […]
Menagerie of Hidden Influences
My synaptic mailbox is full. Sitting in a relatively quiet room—the birds are chirping outside, the downstairs refrigerator is rattling, and the drier is whirling about—I alternate my gaze from myriad unfinished projects to pictures and paintings covering the walls to the well-tended jungle growing just beyond my porch. In […]
CWG Book Blast! Carolyn Astfalk’s “Rightfully Ours”
This month, the Catholic Writers’ Guild is touring Carolyn Astfalk’s book, “Rightfully Ours.” It is a CWG Seal of Approval recipient! A coming-of-age story of first love, buried treasure, and discovering that some things are worth the wait. Summary: Sixteen-year-old Paul Porter’s relocation to Pennsylvania is a temporary move during […]
If Trees Could Talk
If trees could talk, What would they say? If they could walk, Would they also play? Leaves tremble in silent breeze. Their colors change, as seasons please. Fruit for the plucking. Bees—nectar sucking. Giants with myriad homes, Rest for the weary soul. Hewn down. Unable to escape—fire, flood, disease… Yet […]
Journey On
It amazes me that we humans ever understand each other given our robust ability to mess with syntax, translations, and meaning. Some years back, the kids and I visited my dad in Kansas. My youngest, only about five at the time, was very impressed by something my dad shared with […]
Yet Another Day
Exorbitant fear dooms all, In gloom see nothing but a fall. Dear spirits above holding tight, Overcome tragedy strong-willed might. Fragile flowers do harsh winds face. Honeybees against storms do race. My roots dig deep to foundation core, Faith holds me, feeds me from an ancient store. When the light […]