advent journal
Our Christmas Eve service, like many around the country, is a service of Lessons and Carols. It is also a family service, so there is the rumble of restless little ones underneath all the singing and silence. It’s awesome. This year, Ginger made a point of asking a number
advent journal
Yesterday on my break at the computer store, I walked over to Barnes and Noble to get a cup of coffee, which might be described as my regular routine. The line was about five deep when I got there, which didn’t bode well for my fifteen minute recess, but
advent journal
come . . . sit in the dark with me and tell the truth reach deep in the pockets of our souls for scraps of hope and wonder come . . . look up at the storms of firefly stars flinging their light our way lay back on the blanket of dead leaves and sleeping soil
advent journal
One of the things I miss about living in Marshfield was learning to tell time by the tides. The tide came and went twice a day, but never in sync with the clock. The tides felt a rhythm rather than a ticking. They followed the moon, the earth’s turning,
advent journal
Throughout Advent, I have been collecting a soundtrack to get me deeper into the season. Tonight, I was greeted by two songs at our annual “Blue Christmas” service -- one I sang and one I heard -- that helped move me along towards the manger, sadness and all. Tonight, I
advent journal
Today has been a sad day. My dear friend, David Gentiles, died three years ago today. Three years later, this day lies between the anniversary of the death of my father-in-law, Reuben, who died a year ago last October and January, which will mark the first anniversary of Lola, our
advent journal
I saw Joy dressed as a postal worker tenaciously attempting to infect everyone in line up against Impatience in the form of a woman still in her workout clothes complete with jewelry and then I stood behind Clumsy or so she seemed -- dressed in faux fur and fumbling at
advent journal
I love my wife for walking out of church this morning. She began our worship, you see, by using a song they sang on the 2012 Freedom Ride to help us figure out a way to allow us room to deal with our grief over Sandy Hook in our service.
advent journal
One of the gifts I got for my birthday was time. It’s something I always ask for and Ginger takes my request quite seriously. After a marvelous birthday breakfast together at Guglhuph, a wonderful German bakery and restaurant here in Durham, Ginger and Rachel, my mother-in-law, left me there
advent journal
I tried prose tonight but all I could do was drop a gravel load of anger in the middle of the page this is no time for stones I tried to be relevant but all I could do was take my best shot in the ranting wars in hopes of
advent journal
Tonight, I cooked dinner for some of our neighbors as part of my participation in our Old North Durham Neighborhood Association auction not long ago. For tonight's post, I offer the menu -- with links to recipes. Winter Salad Autumn Gallette Vietnamese Caramelized Catfish "Sliders" on
advent journal
I love telling stories. I also love repeating them -- just ask Ginger. I do, however, come by it honestly: it’s a family trait. One of my favorite repeatables is one I have heard my brother tell many times and comes from his days living in Akron, Ohio. His