Bravely Facing “Fleeting” Time  “with a  Heart for any Fate”

Watching this sweet child racing the waves, flying like a fairy, building sand castles and enjoying the magic and awe of this beach and some other fantastical, ethereal place  in her mind, one envies such pure, innocent, boundless imagination. She frolics unencumbered  by the questions and worries of politicians, managers, philosophers, and theologians, unware ofContinue reading “Bravely Facing “Fleeting” Time  “with a  Heart for any Fate””

Underneath Change

A recent poll of Americans found them to be exhausted and fearful and confused about the future. Sometimes it seems that “time” is filled with a jumbled, disconnected series of stories without a cohesive meaning. “Time” does change things, or things change with time. Seasons pass. Years pile up. Successes and happy times come andContinue reading “Underneath Change”

No Matter How Far away You Roam…

Hopefully, as we leave this Christmas season with its bright lights and uplifting music, worship services, and warm gatherings of family and friends, we have garnered excitement for a new year. For some, it has been a sweet time. For others, this is a difficult time of year. Unfortunate or even tragic circumstances, seemingly unendingContinue reading “No Matter How Far away You Roam…”

Romancing the World

Bucks Harbor, a small, fishing harbor in Washington County, Maine, lies in the distance beyond the sheep. Lobster boats are gently rocking on the tide but are invisible in the foggy, snowy distance. Jesus probably would have been at home here. It was the life he lived! Sheep and fishermen were  elements in his earthlyContinue reading “Romancing the World”

Romancing the World

Bucks Harbor, a small, fishing harbor in Washington County, Maine, lies in the distance beyond the sheep. Lobster boats are gently rocking on the tide but are invisible in the foggy, snowy distance. Jesus probably would have been at home here. It was the life he lived! Sheep and fishermen were  elements in his earthlyContinue reading “Romancing the World”

“In the Bleak Midwinter”….

Long, cold, 18th century, English winters inspired Christina Rossetti’s Christmas poem, In the Bleak Midwinter. In the course of this dreary weather season, several religions celebrate special days which include the Jewish Festival of Lights or Hanukkah and the Christian celebration of Christ’s Advent or Christmas. During the extended Christmas holiday, the airways are filledContinue reading ““In the Bleak Midwinter”….”

A Rose by Whatever Name…..

According to Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”. Juliet knew that the character of the boy she loved was more important than his family origin or the surname that he had been given. Labelling, fancy marketing, having a famous name, or presenting a pleasant affect doContinue reading “A Rose by Whatever Name…..”

How Many “Glad” Days are there in a Year?

“Glads” make us glad! Flowers, apart from being gifts of appreciation, tokens of love, and friendly gestures, have a beauty which can and may buoy us up. In one of his “Peanuts” cartoons, Charles Shultz has Charlie Brown hugging Snoopy and questioning, “What if today, we were just grateful for everything? Such an attitude ofContinue reading “How Many “Glad” Days are there in a Year?”

Of Kings and Aunts and Country Singers…

Old and weathered, Maine houses hide their stories but are reminders of ours. When young, optimistic, enthusiastic and busy, we take little notice of the imperceptibly slow but progressive changes occurring in our bodies. Regardless of physical conditioning, body habitus, or huge amounts of denial, they creep up and surprise us. We wrinkle, sag, shuffle,Continue reading “Of Kings and Aunts and Country Singers…”

“Missed Things” That Shift the Narrative…

While reveling in the  beauty of this tiny, mist surrounded island and its reflection in the bay, the distant, tiny image of an eagle scanning the water for its lunch had been missed. However, that significant detail changed the photo’s narrative into something rawer and less ethereal. Somewhat similarly, our stressed and harried routines areContinue reading ““Missed Things” That Shift the Narrative…”