Vignette #1: Friends on Facebook may by now be getting tired of seeing a particular post. A former student, now a good friend, recalls a quote of mine from a class about 20 years ago. She posts this every year in early December: “I don’t care what pa…
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In case you’ve never tried the activity, it’s impossible to tickle yourself. Some schizophrenics are the exception here since their identity can blur with others and they may struggle to self-differentiate. But since tickling hinges on surprise, ther…
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“So, are you feeling acclimated/settled/at home now?” For the past three months, most folks have started a conversation with me by asking about my transition to St. Paul and life in Davenport. Often, I answer with some light-hearted joke about going…
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Growing up, our family never traveled at Thanksgiving, but instead stayed in Colorado to spend the day with beloved friends. As it tends to be for holidays, we had our traditions that were necessary to keep. We’d be sure to bring scalloped corn, gree…
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The story of the biblical prophet Jonah and his outsized moments recently gave me the object lesson I needed for a Preschool Chapel reflection. No, I didn’t bring in a whale for the children. Jonah had another outsized moment. It happened when he wa…
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A childhood friend of mine is what you might describe as a bit of a daredevil or thrill-seeker. She will say “yes” to just about any opportunity. Or jump at the chance for any new sort of experience. I’m grateful for our decades of friendship because…
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I have some brand-new fleece-lined jeans that don’t fit and need to be returned. That’s a hassle. No wonder Adam and Eve stuck with fig leaves. That these jeans don’t fit is my fault. What a foolish notion to believe that by sitting in a chair with a…
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Last week, I sat with some dear people as they told stories about their 91-year-old dad who had just died. I heard about Harry’s skills in woodworking, appreciation of baseball, the love of his family. I’d known this, but then his kids shared how he…
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At our house, we have a whole drawer in our kitchen designated solely for cords. It seems nearly everything we own needs its own charging cord. There are cell phone cords (of varying lengths and differing degrees to which they still function). Cords…
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It really is a cesspool of germs. An infection site for both the predisposed and the unsuspecting; a high-risk environment for even the most cautious; a source of exponential viral growth. Yes, I am talking about social media. More specifically, I a…
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Fragile. Stretched thin. Buckling. Nearing collapse. On an almost daily basis now, we’re hearing about global supply chains inching ever closer to a breaking point. Those of us outside of industry haven’t spent our lives worrying or thinking about su…
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This past weekend, St. Paul’s 7th graders gathered for their fall Confirmation retreat. In other years, we’ve spent 24 hours up at Camp Shalom, enjoying the woods, cabins, and adventures of this beloved camp just about an hour out of town. But, like…