This is my Camino. Welcome.
Remember when it was a few months ago and I learned that the retreat I go on EVERY New Years for the past LITERALLY SEVEN OR EIGHT New Years was cancelled this year? I probably told you this. What I didn't tell you is that it threw me into a leetle bit of a tailspin... Continue Reading →
I don't know if this happens in other cities (and, for all of my travels, I don't remember the phenomenon in other places) but, in Detroit, white smoke-y steam billows from our sewers. When we were kids we made up some elaborate, fictional story about this, and told visiting-kids about dragons in the sewer systems.... Continue Reading →
This guy walked out of mass with me today and he said, "Hey, I'm not sure what I should do for Lent." Oh, rly. Leeeeent. See, I kind of know what I should do. Here's the deal: if I just do something fluffy and lame like, "Jesus, reveal your heart to mine, OK, amen,"... Continue Reading →
A blessing, sweet Jesus, a blessing I ask your blessing tonight Bless my home and my friends, All assigned odds and ends, That all would turn out alright. A blessing, sweet Jesus, a blessing As I strive to do your will Amidst the questions in my mind And the struggle to be kind I pray... Continue Reading →
On Monday on received a phone call at noon. So, I went to take the call outside. (This is very "If you give a mouse a cookie...") I realized that I didn't want to stand still and talk (for it is cold and I am Nell), so I started walking around the block. And I... Continue Reading →
That night there were homeless, abiding in the alleys and crevices of buildings, keeping watch over their assorted plastic grocery bags by night. And they weren't your down-on-their-luck homeless who just need a stroke of good fortune and they'll be back in a good job and an apartment again. No, these are the kind who... Continue Reading →
Back in high school we were instructed to make "five-year" and "ten-year" plans, and I was never any good at those, which is OK, because between five and ten years ago I consecrated myself to Jesus through Mary and effectively ditched any personal plans for myself. Does that sound terrifying? I guess it is. Jumping... Continue Reading →
There is a line in an Advent song that sings like, "O Come, O rod of Jesse's stem" And today's reading is about the desert and the parched land and the steppe blooming "with abundant flowers." But I'm just over here like, "Yeah, and I'll bet that those were watered by our collective tears." "Mourning... Continue Reading →
I usually sleep straight through the night. This is a grace, I know, And I am thankful for the blessing. To readers with restless legs and insomnia: I'm sorry. But a few night ago I was startled awake. I looked around frantic, Trying to determine what had shocked me alert. Half-awake, I roughly brushed my... Continue Reading →
This phrase came to mind this week and I've been thinking about it a lot: Everything is overwhelming until you realize that God can be trusted. Because if God is who He says He is, then: He desires our well-being and He cares for us and He will give us good things. What is the... Continue Reading →
