Burn
Reading what people would save and why is such an intimate peek into their lives that sometimes it even feels like prying. People bring photos of their wives and collars from dogs who have died.
Forward and Back
We made it! One year is in the bag. And from our perspective, it has been a major success. Read on for a few words of gratitude, some fascinating numbers, and several exciting announcements.
En Route
The hum of tires on the road and the whoosh of other cars passing and the thump of bumpy highways has a way of drowning out the chatter of everyday life and transporting us smoothly to blessed vacation.
Hands
A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. A firm hand. I have to hand it to you. To have the upper hand. To be underhanded. Give me a hand. Sleight of hand. The matter at hand.
Etching No. 43
A girl, age four, is in bed with the quilt scrunched up to her chin. Her blond curls quiver. She is petrified. There is a monster in the closet.
Seen & Heard at FFW
The rustle of everyone sitting up straighter and reaching for a pen when an author says something profound. Those pens scratching on paper in unison.
One Art
I hate losing things. I try really hard to stay organized because there is nothing more frustrating than losing an important scrap of paper or a sweater.
Eurydice
“Orpheus! what ruin hath thy frenzy wrought/On me, alas! and thee?/Dark sleep closes my swimming eyes. And now farewell:/with enormous night I am borne away.”
Rereader
The chord sounds a little different—less jaded and sweeter but less sappy—and I’m really glad. Glad to know I’ve changed and glad that a book has changed with me.
In Tenebris
May you find a moment’s space tonight. May you draw the curtain, open the window, and climb outside to wait. May the light fall where you need it most.
Commonplace Christmas
I’m pretty sure it’s Christmas’ fault. We’ve entered the season when everyone and their mothers has something inspirational or encouraging to say.
Listen First
I could tell you my opinion about the intersection of homosexuality, Calvin, and the church. But I appreciate the simplicity and genuine goodwill of these stories, so I’ll let them speak unaccompanied.
East Side Story
I really don’t like reviews. I learned through eight years of school newspaper contributions that I’m not particularly good at writing them (I lack the confidence that anyone really cares what I think about something), and I also am not a huge fan of reading...Perfect Ten
Perfect Ten, but every time this person talks, a stream of bubbles comes out of his or her mouth. Perfect Ten, but everywhere he/she goes, there is a possum within ten feet.
Twentynothings
I really hope thirtyandfourtysomethings don’t think I’m a promiscuous, drunk, hopelessly romantic, lazy, clueless, emotional wreck.
To Put the Heart Into
He told me the etymology of the word “encourage.” “It comes from the old French, which comes from the Latin. It means, ‘to put the heart into,’” he said.
Digging
Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests; snug as a gun.
A Trivial Pursuit
We’ve literally never heard of the 1964 movie Scotch Tape because we were not, in fact, alive in 1964. So no, we don’t know who starred in it.
The Familiar
’ve decided to ignore it and make peace with the familiar. It comes down to personal preference, I guess, but do we really need an adventure every other day of our lives? That sounds exhausting.
