Shepherd’s Story

A winter's poem I wrote a few decades ago. In December the sky darkened but a star cracked the blackness to perch like a red bird on the waiting finger of an evergreen tree. Hiking through the field we knelt on damp leaves and knew: the Earth will heal herself. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Blessed … Continue reading Shepherd’s Story

Grace: a Surprise from the Universe

This is a reprint of a favorite holiday story. Enjoy! This is a true story.  It happened several years ago, when I was still working full time. It was early on a Saturday morning when I set out with a long list of errands.  First up:  go to the ATM for cash so I could … Continue reading Grace: a Surprise from the Universe

Meditation on an Advent Wreath

Greetings! This week I've updated a Christmas post from a few years past. It seems more meaningful than ever right now. Long ago, in the pagan cultures of the far north, work and travel were severely limited by cold and snow as days grew shorter.  Farmers and their families would remove a wheel from their carts … Continue reading Meditation on an Advent Wreath

Loving Harvey: some Christmas musings

I wrote and published this piece six years ago, shortly after the death of a close friend.  I came across it this week, and honestly, I'd forgotten that I wrote this as a Christmas meditation.  The idea of surprise is becoming a theme for me this December.  Life deals us all some pretty unpleasant surprises … Continue reading Loving Harvey: some Christmas musings

Meditation on an Advent Wreath

Written with my Tuesday group with the prompt:  traditions that become oppressive! Long ago, in the pagan cultures of the far north, work and travel were severely limited by cold and snow as days grew shorter.  Farmers and their families would remove a wheel from their carts as a sign of surrender to the great … Continue reading Meditation on an Advent Wreath

The Elf on the Ledge (copyright pending)

One day, before our writing practice, most everyone in the writing circle professed ignorance of the modern tradition called “The Elf on the Shelf.”  Although I am no expert either, I found myself compelled to write the following. The elf appears mysteriously on a shelf in homes where parents deign to invite him in.  “This … Continue reading The Elf on the Ledge (copyright pending)

Kittens for Christmas

I wrote this a year ago when my cats were just babies.  They’re much more disciplined now—ha! I was sitting on the toilet a half hour ago, getting a clear view of the leather belt I slipped through my denim belt loops this morning, and I noticed it—kitten teeth marks on the end of my … Continue reading Kittens for Christmas