hello. What I want to do is tell you about Bilbo Baggins and the butterflies. He’s in this forest – I’m not sure why; I don’t think he knows why, either – and he’s been told to go climb the tallest tree in an effort to get the crew the f- outta there (man-eating spiders inhabit this forest, hence the… View Post

These days are treacherous, aren’t they? There is so much to worry about; so much to be angry and sorrowful over. I almost feel ashamed at the joy I feel when I look out the window at the leaves that shout their brightness back to me. Don’t make too big a deal out of that beauty, I think. It’s not making a… View Post

A few days before Hadley turns 14, she yells from her room, “Mom! Mom! Mom, are you here? Where are you, Mom?” I am feet away from her, sitting at my desk, waiting for a moment to say, “Yes?” or, “What?” or, “I’m RIGHT HERE WHAT DO YOU NEED?” “Guess what I JUST learned?” she says, this time standing outside… View Post

What’s October without a scary story or two? At the least, we should do something we’re afraid of. Not to conquer it, mind you, but to see if there’s something else than fear that’s lurking around waiting to surprise us. You know what I did that’s scary? Every morning in September and the first two weeks into October, I walked… View Post

I was asked to write a little something about Corby for a Blessing of the Animals service at our church. I am always honored to have the chance to speak in church. Here’s what I wrote: I am writing this on a day when our dog, Corby, has been very bad. There was yelling and there was screaming. Some of… View Post