Oddly, I set aside a book I had started that felt too dark and then somehow managed to read two other fairly dark books. This is the second of those. While it is definitely dark, it is also one of the most engaging books I have ever picked up. The
Part historical fiction and part magical realism, this book is full of the stories of black women and the sacrifices they made for freedom for themselves and others. There’s a lot of beauty in the book, but also a lot of ugliness, which is not surprising considering the topic.
Welcome to all new and old readers. If you are a new reader, please check out my About page for more details of who I am. I recently made a commitment to devote two full afternoons a month to writing. It may not sound like much, but in the midst
Handmade Hobbies
It’s raining again as it has off and on for the last few days and many other days for this entire month. A wind ruffles the new leaves of the apple tree outside my living room window. Pink and white flower buds cover the tree, a few tentatively opening
Uncategorized
1. Anniversaries are somewhat meaningless in measuring wisdom. We cannot expect someone to have the answers to healthy relationships just because they have been married a long time. And though I don’t think it is wrong to recognize and celebrate certain milestones, I also feel strongly that longevity is
Personal Growth
At the end of last winter, I remember going for a walk during the season of Lent, down one of the rural roads near where we live. I walked through the forest—overgrown and tumbling cabin walls marking the remains of long abandoned homesteads. It was bitter cold, and everything
Healthy Living
Two weeks ago, I drove 15 minutes to a nearby CVS to get my COVID booster and my flu vaccine. This is only the third time that I’ve gotten a flu shot. The first time was in 2005. That was the year I gave birth to Emma Anne. Because
Personal Growth
Fall is my favorite season. Or at least it always has been. I’m experiencing my first Fall in New England this year and I was surprised to find that while all the essential elements are there—breathtaking color, crisp mornings and warm afternoons, and occasional whiffs of woodsmoke—the
Family Updates
My favorite view of Morgantown is the short, but spectacular glimpse I get of the whole town spread out on the hillside as I round the curve on Monongahela Boulevard coming down from the Coliseum to Morgantown proper. The mood changes depending on the season and weather, but I never
Personal Growth
The meal was over. The kids disappeared quickly back into a game of Mario Kart and John retreated to the quiet of our bedroom downstairs. I found myself sitting alone at the table staring at the overflowing counters and empty tablecloth. Dietrich flitted back and forth as he explained to
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Many of you who know me know my background. I was raised in the conservative evangelical tradition of Christianity. Instead of girl scouts, I went to AWANA. AWANA, for those of you who are not familiar with it, stands for “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed.” The focus was on Bible
Personal Growth
On the very first day of 2nd grade, I read the fable of the Little Red Hen to my youngest child. He followed along with the story as the hen planted the grains of wheat, reaped the grain, took it to the mill, and baked the bread, all while the