Hello friends! Thought I’d write a little post before I pick up my book and transition into reading time. I’m now at home and though I did enjoy my time at coffeeshop, it’s so nice now just to be home and relax on the couch with dinner in the oven. The chicken, potatoes, carrots & onions are roasting and I am most excited for the point about an hour and some minutes from now when it’s done and I can fill my plate. Ah simple pleasures. Though I was going to play some of my still-in-progress next classical playlist, I couldn’t resist turning on the TV and putting the baseball on instead. Cleveland vs. White Sox Game 5, winner shall advance to face the Rays in the ALCS! I do love playoff baseball and I love having a game on while I read. A baseball game is just sedate enough that I can have it on and still focus on my book. I’m excited by this one – just started it last night. It’s a book by Gavin Ortlund called “Why Christianity Makes Sense” and while he doesn’t have to convince me, I’m already finding my heart encouraged as he talks about the truths of Christianity and the beauty found therein. Speaking of. I think this post has rambled on enough and it is time for it to end. Much love to you all. Rest in our Lord this night. Peace and love.
Tag: dinner
Leave Falling All Around Now
Hello friends! A Saturday afternoon post from the coffeeshop! I have very sadly used most of my coffeeshop time here looking through old pictures and not writing at all, even though that was my express purpose for walking here. Alas. But now I’m not sure if I really feel like writing anything at all, as sad as that sounds. So…maybe I’ll just ramble on about my day and maybe some inspiration will come?
It’s been a good day, I suppose. A busy one. Early morning discipleship group then back home for a few hours. Dani and Joy are off at the beach now, so I decided I must be productive with the time alone so what did I do? Well, some errands, grocery shopping, etc. Figured I’d make a roast chicken for dinner tonight, as it’s not Dani’s favourite and since she isn’t here well…I can have it all to myself! A nice roast chicken with potatoes, carrots and onions. Can a dinner get much better? I submit that it cannot. Anyways, got the goods to make that, then came back home and did some housecleaning chores. Decided after that while I could just sit at home and attempt to write, why not walk on down to coffeeshop and attempt some writing there? Well, a valiant idea, to be sure. Alas, I got down here and ended up going through old pictures with the idea of printing out some of my favs from the last few years. It was a good exercise though as one can guess, looking at old pictures sure does stir up the memories, hm? Looking at pictures from 2021-2024…what a stretch. It made me sad in some spots and then ever so happy in others, as is…expected, I suppose? I shan’t talk more about that now.
What now? Well my coffee is cold and I really should go home and get dinner started sometime soon. But I am a bit sad I didn’t write anything creative. At least I got this little update post written? That’s something. That’s something. Be well, dear friends. Peace and love.
Greenway
Hello friends! A quick post before I continue with my evening and (most likely) shut this laptop. I’ve written a little something on creating and the mediums used in such (see post below) and it’s in my typical stream-of-consciousness style, random with perhaps a nugget of truth here and there. Sometimes perhaps I need to learn to write more concisely. As I read my current book with essays by C.S. Lewis, I take a step back and admire how he so brilliantly communicates profound truths. I am, I must confess, a bit jealous of his skills in such communication. Anyway! That was a fun bit of writing to accomplish, but now I feel that dinner making must take place. Tonight is classic sausage pasta, hurrah! It will take a bit of time to cook the sausage, carrots, onions, etc, of course. But the best part? Once the tomatoes and milk is poured in and everything is slowly bubbling away, I have a good hour or so to sit back down here in my corner chair and read. I’ll light a candle of course as well and then sigh for pleasure that I have the time to let my mind linger on the words on the page in front of me. I think I’ll knock out the C.S. Lewis book and then perhaps read either more of my Bonhoeffer book or the (admittedly lesser in quality and content) Sanderson that is my current. So that’s the plan for the evening. Grateful for this night of rest that is given me. Peace and love, dear friends.
Domestic
Hello friends! A Tuesday evening post here, a bit rare that. But I do have a few minutes to sit here on the couch and rest and why not? I’m feeling simultaneously tired and happy at the moment. A long work day accomplished. Then some errands with the Dani. It’s been a grey drippy day all throughout and what better at the end of a long wet day? A nice hot bowl of soup with fresh bread, says I. So…well get to work, James – I said to myself! Vegetables have been chopped and a quick dough has been whipped up and now the ham and bean soup simmers on the stove and bread is baking in the oven. Thankfully I’m not quite hungry yet as I feel the soup needs a couple hours to really come together. We’ll get there. Even if we do end up eating dinner about 8pm tonight! That all being said – far too much talk about dinner I suppose! – I really just wanted to write a few words on a normal little day here. Sometimes we crave to chronicle the momentous happenings of life and such is good. But I also think it important to record days like this. A quiet little Tuesday in which life is lived even if there is nothing big or grand about it. Living itself is something that points to the miraculous is it not? So I now lift my head and sigh, grateful for a hearty dinner ahead and a warm dry home and a book about to be read. I am truly blessed, that I cannot deny.
Valentine
A quiet Wednesday evening here. I know I don’t usually post at this time (or – at least it’s been a while!) but thought I had my laptop out and might as well at least write a few words! Today’s been a cold drizzly grey day. Sometimes I love those kinds of days. Alas today my love was dry. After I finished work, I would have loved to go out and walk in the cold afternoon but the showers descending without mercy gave me pause. So inside I have stayed! Bonus work was accomplished. Some reading was also done. I am almost done with the adventures of the Count of Monte Cristo. What a beast of a book! I hit the thousand-page mark last night and still a good bit to go!! It is worth it, although I am not convinced that it compares to some of my other 19th-century favs. Maybe I’m just not a fan of French lit. Maybe I just prefer the Russians. What does that say about me?
In other news, the scents of dinner rise. Dani is in the kitchen and I am now pleased to report that it seems as if a delicious dinner of fried okra and beef is at hand. Soon enough we shall enjoy a pleasant and delicious dinner and then bed time will be my lot. Early I know, but work is pressing hard of late and I fear I need all my strength to meet the challenge. The Lord gives grace, always.
Now I shall cease this slightly rambling evening post. It’s been a bit since I’ve written like this (makes me nostalgic for the entries of my past a bit!) and though I can’t promise I will keep this up, it makes me smile to write a few words in the middle of a hectic tiring week. Apologies for the lack of anything resembling creativity or wit. Perhaps next time, my friends, perhaps! Oh and one question for the readers. What books should I tackle next? I’m pondering which beautiful works of fiction shall be on my reading list this year of 2026. I am considering a Lord of the Rings re-read (it’s been too long!) and perhaps some more Lewis as well. But I am undecided so I would heartily welcome any beloved recommendations.
Now I am off for real. Peace and love, my friends. Peace and love.
First Christmas
Very briefly. A lovely evening is yet progressing. We are all currently watching (well, I’m half-watching!) a Christmas episode of Little House on the Prairie and it is heart-warming and wonderful. And being home with the family…even more wonderful. Sitting around the dinner table today…enjoying steak (cooked by Mom!) and sweet potatoes (cooked by Maryanne!) and salad and little shrimps and cocktail sauce…but better than all the food was just being at the table with Dad & Mom & Maryanne & Laura…and talking and being together. A couple hours of bliss. Oh so good is our God to us. And shall I spend more time writing here at the fiercely glaring computer screen? I think not. I shall return to watching Little House and being with the family…
Peace and love.
That Arrogant, Ignorant Cadre of Youth
Hello friends!! Thought I’d write for a minute this calm Saturday evening…been a lovely day (hanging out with my friend Marina in downtown Tampa…lovely time of good conversations in the riverside breezes…) and then this evening has been a splendid time with the family…dinner of Best New York pizza and then watching the rest of Captain America with the family (been introducing Mom & Dad to Marvel movies…Dad rather liked Iron Man and I think Mom is a fan of Cap!). Now Maryanne and Laura and Mom are watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie…and I may be sneaking a peek every now and again myself as I write this. So classic. Dad is prepping for message tomorrow…and I suppose I will sit down myself and watch the rest of this episode.
Very thankful for the goodness of the Lord in all things.
A Moment of Thanks, nay – a Festival of Thanksgiving
So it is about half two this Thanksgiving afternoon. And I sit here in the family room at the computer, tapping away on this keyboard for a bare few minutes that I have free. Maryanne is strumming away on the ukulele and Laura is on the couch attempting to not feel sick(sad day!), Caisson is finishing up the mashed potatoes while Dad decides that the stuffing is most definitely at the right level of done-ness…and Mom is resting for a moment after she’s done most of the work prepping the simply lovely-looking dining room. For the moment of the Thanksgiving feast is almost at hand…Steve and Vickie and Ted and Norraine should be walking through our door at any moment and then an afternoon of far too much delicious food and even more abundant conversations of love and laughter awaits…and the pervading mercies of the Lord thrill our souls.
Have a most lovely day of Thanksgiving, my dear friends. My heart is full of gratitude for you all. My heart is full of that peace which surpasses all comprehension. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Slightly Transylvanian
A restful night. Meatloaf and green beans in oven…and mashed potatoes shall accompany once it is time for dinner. A quiet night. I am ever so grateful to my Father God for blessing me so. I have had a long weekend and my body craves rest. My heart longs for quiet. My soul cries for love. This night I lift my song of praise and thanksgiving to my Lord, my God, my Father. He has given me much. He has forgiven me everything. Thus sings my soul. A lovely night.
Onwards
A sleepy evening, yet again! And so nothing momentous planned tonight. But I am rather excited for my dinner. Delicately spiced fish bakes in the oven, asparagus and mashed potatoes to accompany. Perfection. And so on this night when my heart beats fast yet soul pulses slow, I am grateful to the Lord my God for the simple pleasures in life. Always.
Now time to turn on ’24’ and watch some Jack domination. Oddly comforting that show. Although maybe not so odd. Evil and darkness sometimes posture as victors, but nay.
Light will always conquer.
