Joys of the Day: Late January

Northern Minnesota It’s not quite dawn as I write. Even here in the main room, inside the thick log walls, Continue reading →

Christmas vs. Easter

Christmas comes as the darkness grows. Easter comes after the darkness is complete. At Christmas, we light candles in the Continue reading →

Getting to Joy

Last week a song made me cry. It threw me backwards into the thick sadness of 25 years ago. I Continue reading →

Wilderness Love

As Mom came around the corner and saw it, she gasped, stumbled against me and started to cry.  “There are Continue reading →

Deep Winter

As I drive, snow stretches from the road across an open space to dense balsams. Beyond the road’s grey crust, Continue reading →

The Song I Hear

  Wake up and listen. There are sounds you’ve been taught not to hear: Joy is as real as despair. Continue reading →

Words for a Bad Day

I can’t make it stop hurting. You’ll have to do that yourself, and you’ll get it done. I know you. Continue reading →

Where Fahrenheit and Celsius Meet

The Celsius and Fahrenheit scales come together at -40.  I had read it in chemistry textbooks, but never thought to Continue reading →