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October 2025

October 25, 2025

The Shadows at the End of the World

The cat thinks shadows are solid objects. I've never had a cat before. Charlie is...

May 2025

May 01, 2025

A Tempest in LaBelle

The sirens began when we were in the checkout. Steubenville doesn't have tornado sirens at...

April 2025

April 09, 2025

Saving the Flowers in the Last Frost

Again, I opened my door at the end of the world. I shouldn't have...

March 2025

March 18, 2025

The Cough that Carries You Off

Over the weekend, I got sick. It began with a scratchy throat that quickly turned...

February 2025

February 01, 2025

Tell Them It Rained All Day

It rained all day. It rained, and I was relieved. It ought to be...

February 22, 2024

In the Late Morning

I didn't wake up to the sound of my phone that morning. I was...

January 2024

January 24, 2024

For They Had Heard No Thunder

image via Pixabay [Note: a version of this post originally appeared in 2019, but the...

May 2023

May 22, 2023

To Pray in a Garden

"Pray in a garden," said Holly the witch. "It's what Jesus did. Jesus didn't pray...

March 2023

March 28, 2023

Harbinger of Spring

The panic was severe for the longest time, and then it evaporated. The insomnia went...

August 2022

August 15, 2022

A Deeper Miracle

The first thing that happened when I got home from Columbus was a miracle....

July 2022

July 03, 2022

A Sermon and an Outburst

I went to Mass today. It's hard going back to Mass at home after being...

March 2022

March 18, 2022

Vidi Aquam, I Saw Water

I woke up under that terrible weight-- the fear that I am going to...

March 02, 2022

In This Fateful Hour

It's supposed to be Fat Tuesday, a day to have a little fun. There's...

February 2022

February 24, 2022

As I Watch The Invasion Of Ukraine

I never feel I have anything good to say, on days like this. I'm watching...

February 08, 2022

What Did You Do That Was Brave?

I played in my own backyard this weekend. This may not seem like much to...

January 2022

January 28, 2022

To See Something Beautiful

The darkest part of the year is not a good time. I've already said...

December 2021

December 22, 2021

Rise Up Shepherd

It hasn't been the brightest Holiday season. I've been struggling with my poly-cystic ovary...

November 2021

November 24, 2021

A Tree to Save the World

Truth be told, the anxiety is still bad. I've struggled with anxiety my entire life....

November 06, 2021

The Beginning of Wisdom is the End of Fear

Last week was Halloween. As anyone familiar with my work knows by now, my...

October 2021

October 25, 2021

There Are So Many Different Fears

There are so many different kinds of fear. I have felt so many fears...

August 2021

August 08, 2021

Of Delta, Vaccine Conspiracy Theories, Francis and the Leper

The Friendship Room is putting the plexiglass back on their porch. I don't think the...

June 2021

June 20, 2021

A Garden in Hiding

The menacing neighbor was quiet today. It's Saturday, so the workmen didn't come. And she...

May 2021

May 27, 2021

A Prayer Impatient and Irreverent

Two days ago was the best day I've had in years, and I am thankful....

March 2021

March 17, 2021

Maybe I’ll Drive to Church

We are buying a car on Saturday. Well, maybe not. There are a million...

February 2021

February 22, 2021

Charismatics, Superstition, and the Real Origin of the Peace Sign

I found out today that the peace sign is semaphore. I'd grown up thinking...

February 04, 2021

On the Feast of Saint Blaise, Bishop And Martyr

It snowed hard this week. Last winter was so warm it didn't snow more than...

December 2020

December 04, 2020

For God So Loved the Formless Waste

Rosie and I went downtown, to bring a space heater to the Friendship Room, and...

November 2020

November 05, 2020

I Could Not Sleep

I had hoped to talk about the election results by now, but here we...

September 2020

September 10, 2020

Requiem for an Era

This year it is nineteen years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks-- almost a whole generation....

August 2020

August 03, 2020

Saint Therese, Stella Immanuel and the Charismatic Renewal

You've surely all heard by now of Doctor Stella Immanuel, who was praised by certain...