If we take O’Connor observation at face value, we could consider that the old mans’ encounter with transcendence comes not from the unity with creation, overtaking nature, or victory despite destruction, but rather, in being defeated, and then being taken.
Why Jazz?
Jazz is always a staple in our family culture but, in these last weeks of Mardi Gras, it comes to the forefront of our musical revue. In our nod to New Orleans as the premiere celebration spot for Mardi Gras, we listen in on Spotify, watch “The Princess and the Frog” based in New Orleans.Continue reading “Why Jazz?”
Lemons: An Answer to Life’s Troubles
When it’s time to harvest the fruit, and it must be harvested before it is too late; and when it is time to juice all that citrus, and it must be juiced before it rots on my countertops, we allow ourselves to be beholden to something that is good, natural, rewarding, and, well, sweet. So we make lemonade.
Lenten Literary Book Club
Do you buy Lenten devotionals but find the process of following them too dry, too big, too small, or too boring?
Do you want to enliven your Lent with holy and literary thoughts?
Do you look into your soul and find a whole bunch of fiction?
If you answered yes, then this is the book club for you!
Why we celebrate the Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year began February 1 and concludes 15 days later. My grandmother was born and raised in Shanghai. She attended a British boarding school. Raising a biracial family in the United States in the 1950s brought its challenges and the goal of the time was assimilation. We were not culturally Chinese, except on thoseContinue reading “Why we celebrate the Lunar New Year”
Spring Traditions
The temperatures make their great climb up and down between 35° and 65° in these early days of California spring. One, two, three, four daffodils bloom in the garden with two more on the way. I clip and cut and take the first of spring’s beauty indoors, displacing the winter decor, forgetting the calendar, theContinue reading “Spring Traditions”
All Work and No Play, makes Jack
Just as I began to accept the quiet of January and the spirit of “hygge,” a sense of cozy comfort with books, candles, tea and all things that help us endure the dreary winter days, the sun came blazing out, the temperature rose above 60° and I saw a daffodil in bloom. And just likeContinue reading “All Work and No Play, makes Jack”
A desk, a walk and an idea
I bought a desk When I decided to be a writer, to go all-in with the profession whenever it fits within the larger profession of all that stuff I do at home, I decided to buy a desk. We found a beautiful writing desk, probably from the 1940s on Craigslist and I sent my husbandContinue reading “A desk, a walk and an idea”
My January Must Watch List
I love a good theme and with Christmas behind us, in the spirit of Oscar season, I thought going for great films in January was in order.
Discovering George MacDonald
In my effort to read the classics, and those books that influenced the classics, I discovered George MacDonald. Have you?