Canada Geese and the Gift of Awe

This morning, as I closed the pasture gate, I heard them beyond the woods at the edge of our hay field.  Their honks heralded their arrival long before their graceful necks cleared the tree line. Canada Geese.  An animal that has been – as long as I can remember...

Art Building – The Barn Begins

On Thursday afternoon, two men arrived in one of those pick-up trucks that makes Philip nearly salivate – four doors, long bed, impeccable paint. While this machine was gorgeous – even by my standards – it was also practical – a necessity for...

Writing, Standing, and Silencing the Ugly Voices

I see her standing, hands wrapped in each other and pulled tight to her chest.  Her feet are turned in just a little bit beneath the slim corduroy pants she’s wearing, and her thick, blonde hair is cropped short, just above her collar.  She looks terrified, and...

4 Ways Books Have Taught Me to be a Better Person

I love reading.  I love reading to escape. I love reading to learn. I love reading to experience.  As an introverted, odd child, books were my havens.  They provided me shelter and learning in a way that protected me (sometimes too much) from a world that didn’t...