Contemplating the unexpected…

I owe the phrase of this title to my friend the Rev. Kathy Guin. Sometimes, others can see so much better than I can, even when I know that I see something. Sometimes it is through the eyes of others that we actually can see what we are doing, and a little bit about why we do it. I was just surprised by the presence of a light, dainty, pink rose after weeks of a Washington-style heat wave. I mean, I was only able to write, "As the hottest stretch of summer continues, all over the neighborhood, the roses have decided to bloom again...this little one is mine, on a…
Read More

Build your own metaphor…

For sure, it isn't the best of pictures. But it is an important one. If you can see the tiny rose bush...just getting started. I've had it pulled out of the garden twice. I personally dug out the root. But here it is. Again. And I'm sure it will be beautiful. Again. I'll let you build the metaphor you need most today from this story and I will keep mine to myself. Have a great Wednesday.
Read More

Were you there?

I've had the computer screen open for 30 minutes now.  Nothing.  And yet my head and heart are so full of the things...all the things, in modern phraseology.  Finally, I decided to take my own advice, the advice that I give to my writing students -- just write.  You can always change it later; after all, this is a digital world. I want to tell you all about something and I am struggling.  I suppose that is the nature of the topic.  No, it is not some earth-shattering, life-altering personal news...or is it?  Hmm...but my topic for today, the one that I cannot put down, is this: witness.  Being a…
Read More

March 20, 2020: Strike Up the Band

One of the great things about Capitol Hill is, well, we have our own cherry blossoms. Everywhere. So good morning from me and from my neighbor Mr. John Phillip Sousa...hang in there and notice the good things in your life if you can. #loveinthetimeofcovid #cherryblossoms #strikeuptheband Looking Back: June 14, 2021. I remember this day, vividly. Nothing was intentional in my act of taking a picture and posting it on social media, at least not in the beginning. Taking pictures was just my way of keeping myself moving...if I was looking at my surroundings, I would keep walking and I wouldn't give up on my exercise. Going to the gym was so ingrained…
Read More

Contemplating the unexpected…

I owe the phrase of this title to my friend the Rev. Kathy Guin. Sometimes, others can see so much better than I can, even when I know that I see something. Sometimes it is through the eyes of others that we actually can see what we are doing, and a little bit about why we do it. I was just surprised by the presence of a light, dainty, pink rose after weeks of a Washington-style heat wave. I mean, I was only able to write, "As the hottest stretch of summer continues, all over the neighborhood, the roses have decided to bloom again...this little one is mine, on a…
Read More

Build your own metaphor…

For sure, it isn't the best of pictures. But it is an important one. If you can see the tiny rose bush...just getting started. I've had it pulled out of the garden twice. I personally dug out the root. But here it is. Again. And I'm sure it will be beautiful. Again. I'll let you build the metaphor you need most today from this story and I will keep mine to myself. Have a great Wednesday.
Read More

Were you there?

I've had the computer screen open for 30 minutes now.  Nothing.  And yet my head and heart are so full of the things...all the things, in modern phraseology.  Finally, I decided to take my own advice, the advice that I give to my writing students -- just write.  You can always change it later; after all, this is a digital world. I want to tell you all about something and I am struggling.  I suppose that is the nature of the topic.  No, it is not some earth-shattering, life-altering personal news...or is it?  Hmm...but my topic for today, the one that I cannot put down, is this: witness.  Being a…
Read More

March 20, 2020: Strike Up the Band

One of the great things about Capitol Hill is, well, we have our own cherry blossoms. Everywhere. So good morning from me and from my neighbor Mr. John Phillip Sousa...hang in there and notice the good things in your life if you can. #loveinthetimeofcovid #cherryblossoms #strikeuptheband Looking Back: June 14, 2021. I remember this day, vividly. Nothing was intentional in my act of taking a picture and posting it on social media, at least not in the beginning. Taking pictures was just my way of keeping myself moving...if I was looking at my surroundings, I would keep walking and I wouldn't give up on my exercise. Going to the gym was so ingrained…
Read More

Contemplating the unexpected…

I owe the phrase of this title to my friend the Rev. Kathy Guin. Sometimes, others can see so much better than I can, even when I know that I see something. Sometimes it is through the eyes of others that we actually can see what we are doing, and a little bit about why we do it. I was just surprised by the presence of a light, dainty, pink rose after weeks of a Washington-style heat wave. I mean, I was only able to write, "As the hottest stretch of summer continues, all over the neighborhood, the roses have decided to bloom again...this little one is mine, on a…
Read More

Build your own metaphor…

For sure, it isn't the best of pictures. But it is an important one. If you can see the tiny rose bush...just getting started. I've had it pulled out of the garden twice. I personally dug out the root. But here it is. Again. And I'm sure it will be beautiful. Again. I'll let you build the metaphor you need most today from this story and I will keep mine to myself. Have a great Wednesday.
Read More

Were you there?

I've had the computer screen open for 30 minutes now.  Nothing.  And yet my head and heart are so full of the things...all the things, in modern phraseology.  Finally, I decided to take my own advice, the advice that I give to my writing students -- just write.  You can always change it later; after all, this is a digital world. I want to tell you all about something and I am struggling.  I suppose that is the nature of the topic.  No, it is not some earth-shattering, life-altering personal news...or is it?  Hmm...but my topic for today, the one that I cannot put down, is this: witness.  Being a…
Read More

March 20, 2020: Strike Up the Band

One of the great things about Capitol Hill is, well, we have our own cherry blossoms. Everywhere. So good morning from me and from my neighbor Mr. John Phillip Sousa...hang in there and notice the good things in your life if you can. #loveinthetimeofcovid #cherryblossoms #strikeuptheband Looking Back: June 14, 2021. I remember this day, vividly. Nothing was intentional in my act of taking a picture and posting it on social media, at least not in the beginning. Taking pictures was just my way of keeping myself moving...if I was looking at my surroundings, I would keep walking and I wouldn't give up on my exercise. Going to the gym was so ingrained…
Read More

Contemplating the unexpected…

I owe the phrase of this title to my friend the Rev. Kathy Guin. Sometimes, others can see so much better than I can, even when I know that I see something. Sometimes it is through the eyes of others that we actually can see what we are doing, and a little bit about why we do it. I was just surprised by the presence of a light, dainty, pink rose after weeks of a Washington-style heat wave. I mean, I was only able to write, "As the hottest stretch of summer continues, all over the neighborhood, the roses have decided to bloom again...this little one is mine, on a…
Read More

Build your own metaphor…

For sure, it isn't the best of pictures. But it is an important one. If you can see the tiny rose bush...just getting started. I've had it pulled out of the garden twice. I personally dug out the root. But here it is. Again. And I'm sure it will be beautiful. Again. I'll let you build the metaphor you need most today from this story and I will keep mine to myself. Have a great Wednesday.
Read More

Were you there?

I've had the computer screen open for 30 minutes now.  Nothing.  And yet my head and heart are so full of the things...all the things, in modern phraseology.  Finally, I decided to take my own advice, the advice that I give to my writing students -- just write.  You can always change it later; after all, this is a digital world. I want to tell you all about something and I am struggling.  I suppose that is the nature of the topic.  No, it is not some earth-shattering, life-altering personal news...or is it?  Hmm...but my topic for today, the one that I cannot put down, is this: witness.  Being a…
Read More

March 20, 2020: Strike Up the Band

One of the great things about Capitol Hill is, well, we have our own cherry blossoms. Everywhere. So good morning from me and from my neighbor Mr. John Phillip Sousa...hang in there and notice the good things in your life if you can. #loveinthetimeofcovid #cherryblossoms #strikeuptheband Looking Back: June 14, 2021. I remember this day, vividly. Nothing was intentional in my act of taking a picture and posting it on social media, at least not in the beginning. Taking pictures was just my way of keeping myself moving...if I was looking at my surroundings, I would keep walking and I wouldn't give up on my exercise. Going to the gym was so ingrained…
Read More