Another wonderful January winds to an end. It is chilly outside and warm inside and my heart is full. Many burritos have been constructed and are about to be placed into the oven. Music calmly issues from the TV. And yes, a candle burns. I am about to open a book and read and enjoy a bare few moments of my mind relaxing utterly as I sink into a tale of the long ago and still yet to come. And I am ever so grateful for quiet nights such as this. I sigh. My heart slows. The dreams in my soul are being fulfilled better than I ever knew. Peace and love, dear friends.
Tag: life
The Stained Cobblestones Call For My Attention
A quiet winter morning awakes. It is still dark outside though there are the faintest glimmerings as the sun begins to rise. And it is cold. The air hovers a few degrees below freezing and I wish I could put on my coat and hat and scarf and gloves and go on a lovely early morning walk to breathe deep of the fresh winter air but alas this is a day in which I am obliged to work frantically away on this little laptop. I should be grateful and indeed I am. But nonetheless I still sigh. My heart yearns for that long winter walk with my legs striding on before me as I gaze up at the clouds scudding past in the early morning sky. Maybe I shall make a slight excuse and go out just for a few minutes. Just for a few. I now with a pep in my step and a fire in my heart leap up. This day shall be glorious.
Coastline
A quiet Friday morning here for the now. A winter storm approaches these climes and though in general I would welcome such, I fear that our city is not well suited for sub-zero temperatures so I’m slightly worried as to how we will fare. But Dani and I are prepared enough and though I doubt we’ll see any snow, I do look forward to some nice cold weather walks where gloves and hat are required! I got a nice piece of beef chuck at the store yesterday, along with the necessary bag of potatoes and carrots, onions, etc. This all points to a yummy roast beef dinner tomorrow night as the bitter cold descends upon us. I think that is most proper, is it not? I also look forward to some extended times of reading and writing and of course flickering candle on the table and a mug of hot chocolate in the hand. Not sure what I shall write but surely my muse will come up with…something? Anything?? Now, back to the task at hand. Work calls my name and by the grace of the Lord, I shall conquer. Peace and love, my friends.
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.
Fondly She Says
They sit around the table talking of all the delicate things of life. They speak of loving from a distance and friendships severed and high drama now converted to a steady well-banked fire. On the table is laid a feast with one large pot of meat and sauce and other smaller bowls with various accoutrement and at the end sits a plate of sliced bread still slightly steaming and a small dish of butter invitingly placed nearby. It may seem slightly unnecessary to take the time to describe the food and its placement on the table yet does it not add to understanding the back and forth of the hands that go here and there as various bits of this and that get added to bowls as the conversation carries ever on? I am attempting to paint a scene and sometimes I prefer to let my gentle readers fill in the dialogue for themselves if only they see the staging well described before them. So yes. Back to the table at hand. The four friends talk in a way which indicates kinship or union of some kind, even if it can also be seen that they do not know each other as intimately as family might. Yet there are smiles that linger on one face long after an encouraging word has been said and no one is looking in his direction. What is it to share your heart with another and know that it is being seen as true? This is rare, is it not? I know I crave such. But now I leave the table and glance at the tea kettle that already is near at a boil. Four cups on the counter with tea bags placed within. A glance into the living room where sofa and comfy chairs sit and I can imagine them sitting there with cups cradled gratefully in hands, steam rising to caress joyous faces. They sit as I knew they would and then of course the continued chatting about life and death and the divine amidst the mundane of which we everyday breath and see. There is nothing grand to be said about this whole evening of course, it is just a small homey scene. Yet perhaps are not those the grandest? I think so.
Flexing
Hello friends! A quick post this lovely Saturday evening which may or may not lead to more writing down the line, who can say? Certainly not I. As is usual, I’ll start out by noting the absolute gorgeousness of this day. It’s about 50 degrees outside, a chill that delights my heart and warms my soul. The sky is of a cornflower blue, it’s face friendly and well-washed by the recent rain. And feathery clouds rest atop the horizon heralding the sunset that is soon to come. I could have stayed at home and written there of course and I almost did. But I walked down the street to the coffeeshop here mostly because I craved the walk and all its attendant delights. Now I sit here at a small wooden table at Antidote, resting my back against the block wall and subtly listening in on some of the conversations around. Right now to my left sit a couple from England talking to a couple from the Netherlands and I’m enjoying their random chat. But let’s see if I can shut that off and focus on writing, shall I? The electronic beat of the music – warehouse techno in styling – sounds firm in my ears and drives me ever forward. I must write. I shall write. My fingers have been inactive too long. But what? Shall I write of that which I love? Shall I write of those dreams that linger afore my waking eyes and softly draws me closer with the soft scent of rose perfume? Or shall I instead crack open my heart a bit and let it pour forth that molten gold that has been in the forging processing these many months? I know not, I know not. Too often I allow myself these stream-of-consciousness sessions and at times it is beautiful but at times I slightly worry about what may issue forth. But then I remember to whom I belong and who even now is at work pruning me and making me fit for the far country for which I long. And I smile and worry no more. I am a child of God, am I not? What love is mine. So let’s write and let’s love and let’s wonder. I’ll let others worry, I simply rest on the promises that are mine. Peace and love, dear friends.
Torchlight
A beautiful walk has been had and now back home am I, cosily ensconced in my armchair and about to get some reading time in. I really must dig in and make some progress on my current book (The classic “Count of Monte Cristo”) if I’m to finish prior to our book club meeting. I’m enjoying it but it is not exactly a small book and so even with prodigious reading sessions, feels as if I’m barely making a dent! That aside, why am I writing a few words now? I suppose simply because it is a Sunday afternoon and at times I feel a weekend day is wasted if I don’t write just a bit. I know I need to write more, I know I want to write more, but sometimes I just can’t bear to waste a lovely day. Hence today after a little Sunday nap, I chose to dash outside and go on a little walk in the brilliant January sunshine. Worth it, obviously. Partly for the people watching of course, but mostly for the breeze on my neck and the sunshine on my upturned face.
Now I’m back to the rambling. Do I have anything of substance to say? Honestly I know I want to write more creative tidbits yet life seems to take all of my best yearnings and so when I sit down to write on this laptop, only wrung out rags are left. Alas. Maybe someday I will turn the knob and step outside and find myself stepping into a new land. For now, I will content myself with the well-worn routes and sigh and sip my tea and offer gratitude to my God for all things.
Light in the Darkness
How good it is to be still and rest and sit and meditate the beauties of my God this merry day. What a joy it is to be with the family and hear all their voices chatting about this and that and the other, my stomach very pleasantly stuffed, a pot of stock bubbling on the stove and a book at my side about to be opened. Oh my heart is full to bursting as I consider how much my God has blessed me this day, all the days in my past and all the days in my future still to come! I sometimes tilt my head in awe and wonder that I should be given so much, I whom deserve so little.
So though I could write lines and lines and books and books and I feel the words simply must be written so that all might know what is in my heart, I shall cease now in fear that any words I could write would be insufficient to convey the beauties of the glory of the Lord. But hark – just a few more. Have you ever thought how marvelous it is that the God that created the universe and even now holds it all together, this very same God was born a baby on this earth in order to bring us close to him in full and forever communion with Him? I do not serve a cold and distant being who looks upon me in scorn. No, I serve a God who has saved me from my sins and has brought me into perfect fellowship with him. I deserved nothing but wrath and I have been given nothing but love. Jesus Christ came to this earth and was born in one of the most shockingly beautiful moments in history. My soul trembles as I think that God knows my name and smiles upon my frame. My heart breaks as I consider that I will be with my God forever through the blood of my Jesus who was born and died for me. Shocking, this.
Merry Christmas, my dear friends.
A Little of This
Hello my friends! I sit here in a random coffeeshop this hour. Or actually not so random. Antidote, long time no see. I believe it’s been years since I’ve actually sat here with my laptop to write. It’s strange to be back again but also kind of homey and I have now realised I need to come here more often. Mayhaps you will fill this hole in my cosy coffeeshop craving heart that has not fully healed since the closing of EQ. We shall see. But for now? It’s kind of nice to feel comfortable and at ease in coffeeshop with partial grunge/industrial vibes. I’m weird I know, come out and say it. Anyways! What shall I write? It’s a luxury this afternoon, I have a bit of unhurried time in which I can simply sit here and write and/or read and I don’t have anywhere I have to be for a few hours. What is this wonderful gift that has been granted me!? So I sit here now with my hot decaf americano and sip slowly, grateful for a fully-charged laptop, a beautiful upright chair (why is back support so important these days – I suppose I am not in my 20s anymore…) and the beautiful buzz of background conversation that makes me feel as if I am in the midst of people living their lives and talking about drama and I feel most assuredly that as I type here and now I am not alone. Well, of course I know that and generally I do not give in to melancholia (please no one call me a liar, especially please don’t quote any of my poems), but sometimes the silence that comes with sitting in your own room can make one feel a bit claustrophobic and manic at times. You know? Is that just me? Hm. I have forgotten how alive I feel when I write at a coffeeshop. Of course all this typing now is just nonsense stream-of-consciousness perfectly geared to warm up my writing muscles and relax my mind in order that I might more sweetly seduce my muse into giving up some of her charms to me this lovely December afternoon. We shall see how successful I am and I am most certainly not promising anything profound. But do I enjoy writing just for the sake of it sometimes? A thousand times yes, even if nothing productive or beautiful results. So I make up the tenth person in this small coffeeshop (not counting barista – for some reason, no one ever does count the barista, hm) and as I sweep the small confines with my gaze, I feel my heart warm as I consider these wonderful men and women whom I share this space with this day. I wonder what their heart fills with as they sit here breathing the same air as I. I ponder what dreams rage within their hearts as their faces flush with anticipation for what their soul longs. For me, I am grateful that I can in peace and quiet write a few words. I feel my heart slow and my mind still as I prepare to enjoy this most beautiful afternoon. Peace and love, my friends.
A Lamb Shakes Her Tail
A fine December morning dawns. Well, almost dawns. I believe it is still dark at the moment yet I know the sun is hovering just barely off stage simply waiting for her cue. I have no doubt we shall witness her entrance soon enough. As to the now? I thought I’d just pop in for a second and write a few words on my latest book before work begins in earnest. Grateful that this work week is not going to be long – hello vacation my old friend! Soon. Soon. Hopefully the take off this week leads to much writing. No promises. Now enough rambling.
82. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. A week or so back I decided that I really felt in the mood for a proper Christmas-y book to welcome in the Christmas season. And…is there really any better book than this one? I think not, even if there is no snow falling in my present climes. I forgot how much I love this book. It never ceases to warm my soul. And I’m pretty sure each time I read it, I discover new nuggets of truth and beauty. Lewis tells this tale with such simplicity and wonder, I dare say I’m almost jealous of his skill in such. There is much in this book to recommend it, not least that it points to deeper and greater truths that make this heart swell with joy. I love this book and I’m now contemplating whether or not I should read it every Christmas. This is one of the greats.
Something Weird 