I saw Anne Stentiford’s name on this sign in January, wondered about it, and decided to do some detective work. (Sort of like my obsession with manhole covers last fall.) I found her address online and I wrote to her. She was very kind and wrote me back. This NO SWIMMING / SKATING sign is the […]
On “Ashes to Go” 
March 5, 2013 by
Starting early on Ash Wednesday morning, while it was still dark, two church members and I stood in our church driveway and parking lot, wearing white robes and offering ashes to the people driving by. We’re on a relatively busy street, but it was freezing cold and dark and I’m not sure that, before the […]
ATVing In The Park 
March 3, 2013 by
Looks like someone was doing donuts with their ATV on our local baseball field the other day. I always thought this only happened in more rural areas. But I guess someone got desperate. Or intoxicated? I often see tracks along highways or major roads, or the patches of ground near exit ramps. But a park? Or could […]
Tiny Houses and Hermits 
March 2, 2013 by
When I’m stressed, I like to read books about hermits: Thomas Merton, W. Paul Jones, Karen Karper, Sara Maitland… I’m becoming my mother, a notorious introvert, who likes nothing better than holing herself up at home and speaking to no one all day long. I used to think she was a bit silly and even […]
Can Pastors Be Honest? (article link)
February 7, 2013 by
The Young Women’s Clergy Project published a piece of mine today at their blog, Fidelia’s Sisters. It’s just as relevant for non-clergy types: Telling the Truth “Wait, you mean you still haven’t fired him yet?” I burst out at my colleague. She was having a meeting with her music director. The same music director. The same director, who, over […]
Frozen Picnic Tables, After Monet
February 7, 2013 by
Some prankster moved two of the park picnic tables into the pond a few weeks ago. Then it got cold, fast, and the tables were frozen in place. I tried to get all Monet with them, and take pictures in different light… Notice the snow above was in tiny clumps – reminded me of popcorn. […]
The Scowl
January 25, 2013 by
When I’m deep in thought, I scowl. Adam used to ask if I was pissed about something. Some guy at a gas station once told me I should smile more. My chaplaincy supervisor in seminary inquired: “What’s the grimace about?” looking for some psychological reflection that might explain it. I came up blank, I’m afraid. […]
Who is Anne Stentiford?
January 16, 2013 by
On a dog walk, I noticed this sign for the umpteenth time. There’s just something about a person with three holes for eyes and a mouth… My husband took some family pictures for some folks at our church and he took one of them standing around one of these signs, holding their arms in the air, […]
Lincoln and His House
January 13, 2013 by
You don’t really know someone just because you’ve seen the inside of their home. But maybe you know them better. A few weekends ago, Adam and I went to Springfield to see the Lincoln Museum. If you haven’t heard yet: It’s amazing. You should go see it. While you’re there, have yourself a “Horseshoe,” which […]
