Monthly Archives: November 2015

Soup to Die For

One of the things I love about the cold is that our mudroom becomes a large food storage area. Right now it merely keeps dishes very cold, but soon I can count on it to freeze foods as well. It … Continue reading

Posted in Stories of Home | 2 Comments

Thoughts on “Don’t Stay In School”

The other night I told my friend Katharine about David Brown’s scathing rebuke of education in England. She experienced the English school system herself. To my surprise, she confirmed important parts of his critique. When my 15 year old son … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Classical Conversations, classical education, writing101 | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

This morning’s reading distilled to 50 words

He was about to be executed. He wrote, “Be joyful! Don’t be afraid of anything but ask God for everything you need, giving thanks for everything you can.” Live confidently in the moment because life is a string of moments that … Continue reading

Posted in writing101 | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Over a Virtual Pot of Tea

If we were having tea together I would tell you I am cutting sugar to 25 grams a day so I can kick a sugar addiction. I know getting hold of my health would have the greatest effect on my sense … Continue reading

Posted in Stories of Home, writing101 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Light

When we encounter a season of gloom, light becomes powerful. Now that I rise well before dawn, the first thing I do in the dark house is light an oil lantern on the dining room table. Throughout the day I … Continue reading

Posted in Healthy Living, writing101 | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Dear Beatrice, from Aunt Grace

Dear Beatrice, Someone deeply hurt you in the past and now you keep everyone back with sharp repartee. You keep your emotions tightly controlled behind a prickly exterior. Your wit pricks–and sometimes spikes–your audience. You would rather set them laughing … Continue reading

Posted in writing101 | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Windows for Writers

We have a cabin out along the back of the property, overlooking the river. We offer it to company of the more adventurous sort, but I also use it as a retreat in the fall when, like Ratty, I feel … Continue reading

Posted in Writing about writing, writing101 | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

#TBT Black and White

Back when Robbo and I were new parents, I used to host poetry parties.  I believed life was more than work, food, and sleep, and that our souls needed to be fed on poetry in the company of good friends. … Continue reading

Posted in Literature, Poetry, Stories of Home, Writing about writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Epiphany at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

Yesterday at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston I stood before this painting more than any other. It is called Museum Epiphany III by Warren Prosperi (2012). It didn’t take me long to realize the painting, the only modern … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Classical Conversations, writing101 | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Winter is the Best Season Ever

Let me be honest about this. Winter is the best in the same way black and white TV is better than color, or finding the bones of a flying squirrel is better than seeing a live one. However, over the years … Continue reading

Posted in Stories of Home, writing101 | Tagged , , | 2 Comments