No tissues

“Mama, I thought you were leaving!” Maggie looked up from her short stack of wooden blocks where she crouched, smiling,… Read more No tissues

Gumberries

My love for crimson clover started my senior year in college. I’d never really paid them much attention before then.… Read more Gumberries

Doing

Maggie will turn four in November. I watched her sleeping tonight (since I couldn’t seem to fall asleep myself). She… Read more Doing

Walk and chalk

“Walk. Chalk.” Each morning, as the hands on the clock tick and tock their way toward the number nine, Maggie’s… Read more Walk and chalk

Going off the grid

Last month, I sat at home with my daughter one chilly spring morning. Before my husband left, I had an… Read more Going off the grid

Stalking stillness

That pesky red-bellied woodpecker. I have stalked that woodpecker since I first noticed him, just a few days after we… Read more Stalking stillness

2013 gift list

Before I move on, I want to look back—not to dwell on the past or listen to Sirens, as I… Read more 2013 gift list

Choosing not to

When my friend Bruce invited me to his concert next weekend, I was stoked—and then immediately felt totally bummed. His… Read more Choosing not to

Not wasted

My husband changes the oil in our vehicles himself. When his brake pads need to be replaced, he borrows tools… Read more Not wasted

The real world

Someday, your father willbuild me a sunroomwith his hands. His sweat steadilydripping, devoted to craftingcontentment in my soul. And when… Read more The real world