It is the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, a special Jubilee year. My catechism lessons ended some time ago, so I took this chance to review the Prayer of St. Francis, also one of the most popular hymns of my childhood. In hymn form it can be a little swoopy and saccharine, […]
I’ve set several intertwined goals this past year, all related to rekindling wonder and connection. More time outside, more books on paper, more art and poetry… and sometimes these activities come bundled into one handy package! The new book Ocean of Stars is composed of lyrical writing by Azita Ardakani and glorious illustration by Rebecca Rebouche […]
Last week I made one of my favorite sandwiches, tomato with lots of salt. Plain white bread, lightly toasted. A tiny swoosh of mayo. As I chomped down with glee, a huge splurt of tomato seeds flew out, landing in dramatic splotches all down the front of my first-day-of-sweater-weather outfit. Oooo doggie, I was mad! […]
I was listening to an audiobook today while doing yardwork, half attentive and half in daydream. Through the mist, I heard the author casually note that there’s a big difference between being a nice guy and a good man. Woah. Both my daydreaming and my pruning paused on the spot, and now I’ve been pondering […]
A few weeks ago I was on an early morning flight where the a/c seemed stuck on full blast. I was rubbing my arms to keep warm, and figured a cup of tea would make things bearable. About ten minutes later, the flight attendant came by with a large water bottle, and offered me the […]
Friends, I promise that these weekly reflections will not be an endless parade of memorials. And yet. What a time. Today I offer short quotes from two lives of wisdom and action – Wendell Berry and Gloria Steinem. It would be easy to think of these two in separate (or even opposite) categories, but both […]
When I was a young media analyst, I got to attend a number of star-studded events. Of course it took just one moment for any Hollywood type to size me up and realize that I was not one of them, nor especially powerful, and therefore most looked right through me. But. One night I was […]
Enchantment is the oldest form of medicine. – Carl Jung Years ago, as our jeep in Africa crested over the edge of a steep hill, we saw just below us a family of giraffes, slow-motion galloping across the road, their necks swaying to the rhythm of their own feet. I was enchanted. Last week, […]
Joyful news this week! Last Mile Health was awarded the Hilton Humanitarian Prize, for their extensive and effective work to alleviate human suffering. Years ago I was honored to serve as board chair of this amazing group. On a trip to Liberia we had the chance to meet with a local leader, who was asked […]
I’ve lived just two hours from Emily Dickinson’s home for many years, but just made my first visit recently. Aside from the crazy patterns of carpets and wallpaper, and some bits of family history that were new to me, the biggest surprise was seeing her writing desk. Of course there is a sense of awe, […]