Mothers, Strangers…and Angels
It took me a split second to process what was happening when he fell on top of me; though my feet were planted in the check-out line at Walgreens, I was a thousand miles away, agitated and completely out of sorts. * * * A wonderful, albeit surreal, true story but I...
BEHOLD one of life’s greatest mysteries
When I visited Venice last summer, one of the most unexpected discoveries was a fair trade shop somewhere off the beaten bath canal, whose name escapes me now (but I probably couldn't say anyway). The shop was overflowing with interesting bags and accessories,...
Listening to voices
I wasn't thinking about it when I woke up this morning. In fact, I'm not even sure I've committed this date to memory. Is it because I'd rather forget very sad things? I have this old perpetual calendar, gifted to me by a friend maybe 15...
Les Misérables–inspiring quotes from Victor Hugo’s beautiful words
Fight. Dream. Hope. Love. After seeing Hollywood's newest adaptation of Les Misérables and reading more about Victor Hugo's magnificent work, I'm afraid I'm going to have to fall into 1500 pages of 19th century France....
How I celebrate National Whipped Cream Day
In case you didn't know, today is National Whipped Cream Day. Apparently there's some controversy behind this most auspicious of occasions, but far be it for me to withhold celebration from one of my favorite things on the planet. Held annually on Reddi Wip...
…and my One Word for 2013 is… (one I’d rather not choose…)
i. It was the intensity of his gaze that held me captive, anchored to whatever it was he wanted to say. Leaning forward, hands twined around his mug, he wrestled for words that wouldn't make him sound threatening or crazy. "I had a dream...
The Importance of Being Current
Afew years ago I learned an invaluable parenting lesson in the most unexpected of Life Classrooms: a funeral. From the time I met her in the hospital, Teresa had always been in poor health. In the few years I knew her, she visited death’s threshhold...
Glory days
i. The last time this happened, I was a college freshman having the time of my life; so many years ago I'm not going to tell you how many, because even I am having a hard time believing the distance between then and now. ii. Born and raised in Athens,...
Stille Nacht Kapelle :: Silent Night Church
During our ten-month expatriation to Germany, we had opportunity to visit dozens of churches...spectacular, architectural and artistic wonders, the likes of which would leave my jaw dragging the floor, stunned by their opulent beauty and painstaking detail....