On well meaning protectors

On well meaning protectors

In the year of our Lord two thousand and nine I went camping with a friend. There was a lake near my parent's house with a small island that I thought would make for a perfect campsite. The only boat we had was a canoe and the only way to launch it was to walk over a hill with chest-high grass and push out amongst thick reeds and mud. Our sweat was flowing freely by the time we reached the water. We nearly tipped the canoe--full of gear and supplies--multiple times while trying to launch in t...

In the year of our Lord two thousand and nine I went camping with a friend. There was a lake near my parent's house with a small island that I thought would make for a perfect campsite. The only boat we had was a canoe and the only way to launch it was to walk over a hill with chest-high grass and push out amongst thick reeds and mud. Our sweat was flowing freely by the time we reached the water. We nearly tipped the canoe--full of gear and supplies--multiple times while trying to launch in t...

Of Sisyphus and Interpretive Dance and Laundry

Of Sisyphus and Interpretive Dance and Laundry

The first time I went to church was probably at a construction site. I was a laborer. The minister had a face that looked like the gnarled bark of a very old tree. He was the lead carpenter and I don’t think he liked me very much. Understandable: I barely knew how to hold a hammer. The eucharist was a horribly dry peanut butter and jam sandwich. Blood of Christ, jellied for you. The cathedral was a cold and wet, freshly framed bunkie on the side of a cliff. The incense was a mason’s sog...

The first time I went to church was probably at a construction site. I was a laborer. The minister had a face that looked like the gnarled bark of a very old tree. He was the lead carpenter and I don’t think he liked me very much. Understandable: I barely knew how to hold a hammer. The eucharist was a horribly dry peanut butter and jam sandwich. Blood of Christ, jellied for you. The cathedral was a cold and wet, freshly framed bunkie on the side of a cliff. The incense was a mason’s sog...

I'm doing it again Sweet, gentle 'thank you's delicately whispered to crisp winter air Breath forms a steamy incense as it passes through my lips Always I come back to this Though I am less and less sure how it works

I'm doing it again Sweet, gentle 'thank you's delicately whispered to crisp winter air Breath forms a steamy incense as it passes through my lips Always I come back to this Though I am less and less sure how it works

I heard once that people in India protect themselves from Tigers by wearing masks on the back of their head when walking through the jungle. Tigers only attack if they think you can't see them coming, they say. I must have thought I was going to need that information some day because I still remember it over fifteen years later. I have not yet been to India, and I've not yet been stalked by a tiger. At least, I assume so; I've never worn a mask on the back of my head.

I heard once that people in India protect themselves from Tigers by wearing masks on the back of their head when walking through the jungle. Tigers only attack if they think you can't see them coming, they say. I must have thought I was going to need that information some day because I still remember it over fifteen years later. I have not yet been to India, and I've not yet been stalked by a tiger. At least, I assume so; I've never worn a mask on the back of my head.

Once, sitting in my parent's kitchen, I watched a mouse drag itself across the floor. It was folded in half; a mouse trap scraped along behind it.

Once, sitting in my parent's kitchen, I watched a mouse drag itself across the floor. It was folded in half; a mouse trap scraped along behind it.

Perhaps the burden of existence is such only because we demand it to be something it is not

Perhaps the burden of existence is such only because we demand it to be something it is not

We watched a honey bee bustle about on a clover with fervent ambition. She was a young one; Small. She plunged her head so deep in the petals that the smallest of flowers almost swallowed her up. Pulsing thorax, kicking legs, and periodically buzzing wings led me to think it was an especially delightful nectar deposit. Worth it. I walk through this yard every day. Getting the kids to school. Getting myself to work. Picking up groceries. Going on a walk. Cutting the grass. Garbage day.

We watched a honey bee bustle about on a clover with fervent ambition. She was a young one; Small. She plunged her head so deep in the petals that the smallest of flowers almost swallowed her up. Pulsing thorax, kicking legs, and periodically buzzing wings led me to think it was an especially delightful nectar deposit. Worth it. I walk through this yard every day. Getting the kids to school. Getting myself to work. Picking up groceries. Going on a walk. Cutting the grass. Garbage day.