I had the opening for my prayer shawl display at the MU Staff Arts and Crafts Showcase this week. What a fun time! If you were one of people who visited with me, thanks for coming. If you didn’t get a chance to make it, don’t worry, you’ll get a taste of the show here. … Continue reading »
It was Mother’s Day last weekend. I stayed off social media on purpose. Mother’s Day has always been a complicated day for me, for as long as I remember. There are many who have close, supportive and loving relationships with their moms. I’m not one of them. Non-gushy greeting cards While my mom was alive, … Continue reading »
Too often things made by hand, and especially women’s arts and crafts, are relegated to the trivial. Prayer shawls elevate something simple to a tangible gift of depth and meaning. After learning the four points of prayer shawls, you’ll understand the act and importance of making, giving and using prayer shawls. Invitation to Art Show … Continue reading »
Memoir update Good news! I reached my goal for 25,000 words in April toward the memoir. My two writing friends also reached their word count goals. This go-round, I used Scrivener writing software (free trial from Literature and Latte) to lay out the book before I wrote. Wow! It was a world of difference to … Continue reading »
The boogey man “The boogey man’s gonna get you!” he said. I was never exactly sure what the boogey man was. I imagined he was tall with long, strong fingers, quick to grab little girls’ legs. Our house was two stories. Upstairs we had our kitchen, living room, the bathroom, my parents’ bedroom and my … Continue reading »
Candlelit prayers At St. Luke’s, I had a sense of belonging and a job. I was an acolyte. Before the service, I pulled on a white robe and got the brass candle holder that was almost as tall as I was. We made sure the wicks were trimmed. The service started and it was a … Continue reading »
Riding Bruce’s motorcycle (This excerpt is dedicated with love to the memory of my brother, Bruce 1957-2010) I had my own motorcycle helmet as a child. It was blue with gold flecks. I was as happy as a dolphin leaping when my brother Bruce told me to go get my helmet. It meant a motorcycle … Continue reading »
Friends, we’re doing something different here on Light to grow in during the month of April. I’m participating in Camp NaNo, a spring version of NaNoWriMo, the annual novel writing event in November. Two important aspects of the NaNo movement are a clear due date and a vibrant community of support. In November, I wrote … Continue reading »
How has your Lenten season been? As my spiritual practice for Lent this year, I’ve written a free verse poem every day. I approached this practice with a willingness to let it change me. What have I learned so far? First, commitment counts! I can write when I don’t feel like it. Many evenings, I … Continue reading »
Do you have a special animal in your life? Whatever kind of person you are: cat, dog, horse or lizard, pets bless our lives. With the food bills, care needs and short lifespans, a non-animal person might wonder why we give so much to our pets but animal people know how they add liveliness, laughter … Continue reading »
