Burnt Grass ~ A Good Friday Reflection

It was April, and a thousand daffodils were blooming down the hillsides, along the pond banks, and up near the old Bascom House. Helen met Papa Larry and I in the parking lot of Shaw Nature Reserve. It had been more than a year since we’d seen her, and I’d forgotten how her laugh sounded … Continue reading Burnt Grass ~ A Good Friday Reflection

Gardening Shame

I wrote a letter to my friend, Sarah, last week and told her I’m suffering from Gardening Shame. There are weeds in every box, and I haven’t re-mulched the paths, so black tarp shows through like the garden’s underwear. My tomato plants won't take to the soil and stand limp. Zoysia grass creeps in and … Continue reading Gardening Shame

Jesus With A Sword

Read: Matthew 10:34-36 & Luke 2:13-14 At the end of a year marked by war, when people have swung swords at each other, I've discovered something (surprising) about division in Scripture: It isn't a political party or mask mandate that ultimately divides people. It’s Jesus and his salvation. “Do not think I have come to … Continue reading Jesus With A Sword

On Writing, Weeding, and Walking in the Light

Good writers are good pruners. They know when to pick up the shears and how much to chop. William Zinsser taught me that. “Be grateful for everything you can throw away. Reexamine every word you put on paper. Is every word doing new work? …Is anything pompous or pretentious or faddish? Are you hanging onto … Continue reading On Writing, Weeding, and Walking in the Light