Month: October 2016

clay

  LaFond, oxidation purple , 2012, quartz As a potter, I know how fragile clay is when it has yet to be fired in a kiln.  It may indeed be the most beautiful vase, with sweeping handles like the legs of a ballerina and a neck like that of a...

Mindfulness in a a cloistered Advent

Ex-monks tend to miss the cloister of their ex-monastery in Advent.  We, who left the monastery together are connected - we talk with each other. We visit and call and remember the monastery years in our lives and we talk about why we went, and about why we left. We...

dancing

We are a few weeks away from the Parish Dinner. Dozens of people are working hard to make arrangements to host 300 of our parish for a four course French meal.  A Gorgonzola and cranberry salad, french bread with herbed butter, a pork terrine with brandy, a deep, rich Beef...

the fires of suffering and transformation

As a potter, I know how fragile clay is when it has yet to be fired in a kiln.  It may indeed be the most beautiful vase, with sweeping handles like the legs of a ballerina and a neck like that of a swan.  It may sit on a foot,...

letting God kiss us

  "But what happens when we open our eyes and see the face of God looking down at us, smiling, delighted with us, sitting in the lotus position in the leaves above our head and looking down into our face upside-down, smirking. Leaning in to kiss our forehead, and smooth...

Jesus

When I wake up in the morning I feel like he looks.  Determined.  Resilient, Trusting nobody. Standing tall even in a onesy. This photo was taken by my Dad when I was one. 1964.  Not much has changed. But then I sit, as my adult self, and I pray. When...

equilibrium

For Equilibrium, a Blessing Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore, May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul. As the wind loves to call things to dance, May your gravity be lightened by grace. Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth, May your thoughts...

something new

The death of patriarchy in our society and our church has begun, though slowly.  White men will no longer be in charge. Women will begin to take over and systems which have prevailed for centuries will topple.  Men’s insecurities will no longer motivate what happens on our planet and perhaps...

peace

A blessing A nation at war with itself, peace to you. A people busy, tired and rich, deep peace to you. Couples whose work drives a wedge into their marriage, peace to you. Children whose lives are parentless, peace to you. Men and women who have been betrayed, peace to...

sticky touch and a kiss

“Touch. It is touch that is the deadliest enemy of chastity, loyalty, monogamy, gentility with its codes and conventions and restraints. By touch we are betrayed and betray others ... an accidental brushing of shoulders or touching of hands ... hands laid on shoulders in a gesture of comfort that...