Drinking has changed. In the late 1970s when I was in college, my friends and I drank cheap beer which we bought by the pitcher and shared. We rarely drank wine, other than an occasional bottle of sangria, which we repurposed as a candleholder when it was empty. Wine was for rich, old people who … [Read more...] about Why I Quit Drinking
Why I Quit Caffeine
I come from a long line of coffee-drinkers. My parents drank coffee with every meal and frequently in between. At age 16 I started drinking it too, following my mother's advice to forego any sweetener. Coffee-drinking is a lifetime activity so its best to fend off those spoons-full of sugar. For … [Read more...] about Why I Quit Caffeine
The Real vs. The Idyll
idyll |?noun --?an extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque episode or scene, typically an idealized or unsustainable one. Do you prefer the real thing? Or do you get attached to your idea of what ought to be real, in other words, the idyll? The push and pull between these two applies to our … [Read more...] about The Real vs. The Idyll
The Secret to Happiness: Want What You Have
I know the secret to happiness. Do you? If you don't, just ask my daughters. I'm forever telling them. Which is super-annoying, I'm sure. "Want what you have." Isn't that easy? Four words that lay out the path to happiness.?Embrace what you have. ?Don't want what you don't have. ?Find the gift … [Read more...] about The Secret to Happiness: Want What You Have
Praying with Open Eyes
I have a favorite spiritual discipline, and I notice that I exercise it more when I'm in a good place mentally and spiritually. A connection perhaps? I like to be in a public area where no one knows me, and watch people and pray for them. Usually I start out making sentences in my head, and then … [Read more...] about Praying with Open Eyes
The Fire of Hospitality: the Benedictine Way
Today I enjoyed Benedictine hospitality with a cup of tea in the Japanese style, and a piece of homemade custard pie, served on a handmade plate and garnished with strawberries. While we enjoyed our tea, Master Potter, Richard Bresnahan, sat with us and explained the chemistry of glazes, the … [Read more...] about The Fire of Hospitality: the Benedictine Way
The Kingdom of God and Clean Laundry
Life is good when you can enjoy the simple things. When life is difficult, or painful, it's hard to even notice the simple things, much less to take time to make them happen. So many simple pleasures take a few minutes of attention: clean sheets, homemade scones, a tidy bathroom. I know that I only … [Read more...] about The Kingdom of God and Clean Laundry
Birds: Overrun with Starlings
We have birds nesting in our backyard, in a stand of Leland pines. Our favorite is the cardinals because Mr. Cardinal is always bringing Mrs. Cardinal tasty morsels and popping them in her mouth. The Catbirds have tails that stick up, and make unappealing noises. The most beautiful are the … [Read more...] about Birds: Overrun with Starlings