September 2021 – Prayers, Poems, and Christian Ponderings

To a Mouse

On the last page of the October issue of The Atlantic there is a lovely story by staff writer James Parker, Ode to Squirrels. Here is an excerpt as he talks to the squirrel as it evades his dog “You evade him always, corkscrewing around a tree trunk or dancing ninjalike along a fence. HisContinue reading “To a Mouse”

Blowing in the Wind!

The painter, Peter Brook (1927-2009) spent his life in Yorkshire. His parents were farmers, he became a school teacher but spent much of his time observing and painting the ordinary everyday scenes of life. Many of his painting are of the beautiful Pennine landscape, especially in winter. Most of his small painting also feature hisContinue reading “Blowing in the Wind!”

“Sing them into love, little by little”

This month marks the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death. His great tour de force The Divine Comedy explores the afterlife after he finds himself alone in a deep wood. The poem explores at length the challenges and encounters of the soul through Hell, Purgatory and eventually Paradise. Written when Dante was 35, the middle yearContinue reading ““Sing them into love, little by little””

Mint

It has been a good summer for our herbs. It is always a pleasure to walk onto the back deck or further into the yard to pick some herbs as dinner is in preparation. Rosemary, oregano, parsley, thyme, or my favorite, mint. Just to rub mint as you pass it and enjoy the smell itContinue reading “Mint”

Anyone for tennis?

I know I have watched far too much tennis this past week. It has been unbelievably good to watch the US Open produce so many wonderful games and so many surprises. It has been a week for the 18 year olds! So today I pulled off my shelf Robert Pinsky -New and Collected Poems 1966-1996.Continue reading “Anyone for tennis?”

A Poem of Friendship.

Some days it doesn’t take long to turn a few pages and there right in front of me is a poem I have read many times before, but this time, this one time it says what I never heard it say before. Poetry often does that to you. Today’s post is from the poetry collectionContinue reading “A Poem of Friendship.”

Is the soul solid, like iron?

I love this photograph. Many years ago when I stopped on the Isle of Mull, on my way to Iona, there they were, in plain view and in hiding. I was reminded right away of that gospel parable of the shepherd who had 100 sheep and one went missing. The shepherd searched and searched untilContinue reading “Is the soul solid, like iron?”