We have a Book Group usually twice a year. In the Fall we read Sacred Nature by Karen Armstrong and right now we are reading Collisions of Earth and Sky By Heidi Barr. We have such good conversations with book group and that is definitely happening with this book. Here is the reading schedule and the questions for our book group.

The trees have shed their colorful autumn robes.

Winter is raging through the dark, empty branches

and I am listening.

Join us as we engage on a daily pilgrimage through the season of Lent. In the Christian tradition, Lent is a season of reflection and finding strength within. Through this series of daily questions, we will go deeper into ourselves and our souls. Grab your journal and let’s do this!

Although we are in early spring with Imbolc marking this change February 1st, we are still in the season of rest. Imagine being a seed nestled in the soil, this time is the space between resting and sprouting, this is a time of stirring, of transition, of dreaming of growing into bud then blossom.

When watching what was happening with Black Friday this year I cheered the companies that are boycotting Black Friday with some them actually closing their stores both the physical ones and the digital ones. Other stores are finding ways to give back by donating some of the proceeds and partnering with organizations that help extend the life of a product. Many of these stores talked about a Circular Economy, which I had heard of but didn’t know all that much about. With my interest peaked, I had to dive down that rabbit hole!

Life’s Not Fair

That was the response of someone I know and love to her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

“It’s just not fair.”

I agree. This person has devoted her life to helping others. She has cared for neighbors, for family members, for her husband as he navigates his own Parkinson’s diagnosis.

I am sure that in those three words – it’s not fair – there is a lament – a cry to God against circumstances that seem unfair.

When I was in high school, I wrote a weekly column for my hometown newspaper and this was the title that was assigned to it. I used the column to highlight the small and large acts of kindness that often go unreported in the news.

I’ve been back in that small town for several weeks as both my parents have health issues that are escalating. And I’ve seen the value of community evidenced over and over again. The first week I was home one of my Mom’s friends brought a meal to the house – and, of course, stayed for a visit to catch up – after Mom had minor surgery. The next week I observed my Mom repay the kindness, delivering a meal to the same friend after her friend had knee replacement surgery.

Since then at least a dozen friends have dropped off food and desserts for our family to share. And we’ve shared goodies from our kitchen with them.

Hush, hush...

What is this language

I hear

whispered in the stillness? Just beyond the bird song and the calling of the crows there is a quiet voice rustling on the breeze,

a gentle shhhhh.

The balsamroot speaks: Hush, hushhhh...

Once vibrant yellow flowers atop long green stems, now dried,

faded to khaki stalks holding seed pods

high in the air,

small bowls of

new life.

Arrow shaped leaves, emerald green in youth, now dimmed to pastel and dry,

rustle out

a message: Hush, hushhhh... Be still and listen!

More to come