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December 2024

December 16, 2024

For He Shall Baptize With Fire

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: The crowds asked John the Baptist,...

March 2023

March 23, 2023

The Great Fire of LaBelle

It was evening but not yet dark, when the Lost Girl texted me. "My neighbor's...

June 2022

June 06, 2022

A Tongue of Fire

Again and again, I return to this theme: I wish with all my heart there...

December 2021

December 12, 2021

That Unquenchable Fire

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: The crowds asked John the...

September 2021

September 25, 2021

Whoever Gives A Cup Of Water

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark: At that time, John said to...

November 2020

November 14, 2020

Good Night, Good Morning, Good Heavens

It was late Friday Night. I was in bed, reading. Many people with fibromyalgia have...

May 2020

May 30, 2020

The Pentecost Riots

Today is the feast of Saint Joan of Arc, who fought for freedom against...

April 2019

April 16, 2019

A Suggestion as we Mourn the Fire in Notre Dame

We are all still mourning the tragic fire at Notre Dame cathedral, and justly...

April 15, 2019

Patrick Coffin and the Case of the Arsonist that Wasn’t

To begin with, I need to state that the firefighters working to put out...

April 15, 2019

A Word on the Fire at Notre Dame

I'm supposed to say something about Notre Dame de Paris. On any other day, you...

December 2018

December 15, 2018

He Will Baptize With Fire

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. The crowds asked John the Baptist,...

May 2018

May 10, 2018

Lilacs in Labelle

LaBelle smells like unwashed dogs. The neighbors in the apartment building have at least...

August 2017

August 22, 2017

The Blind Lead the Blind: On the Steubenville Courthouse Shooting

I have often noticed that the statue of Lady Justice on top of the Steubenville...

July 2017

July 23, 2017

The Derelict

I was going for my walk after dark, after the heat of the day had broken....

June 2017

June 28, 2017

Ohio Valley Canticle

I've been trying to fit in here for almost eleven years now-- trying to find a...

June 16, 2017

It Started With The London Fire

It started with the London fire. Images of it were all over the internet, as...

May 2017

May 27, 2017

The Sign On The Door

Finally, my curiosity overcame me. I walked up to the porch to read the sign.

January 2017

January 19, 2017

Ordinary Time: A Short Story for Winter

Author's note: One day in foggy, rainy winter, here in the Ohio Valley, I was...

October 2016

October 28, 2016

Valley of Hell

(image via pixabay) I was walking down a seedy-looking street, carrying a comically large suitcase...

October 06, 2016

A Prayer for Kayden Culp

I hate the days I have to share horrible news. Scrolling through the newsfeed, as...

August 2016

August 25, 2016

In Praise of Cinematic Cheese

(image via Pixabay) We've already established by now that I am the only critic on...

May 2016

May 18, 2016

The Smell of Smoke

When I first smelled the smoke, I thought it was the neighbors' fireplace. Someone nearby...