In my childhood, I was allowed 8 houses from my own,That driveway the boundary I was to turn ’round when on my tricycle.Another 8 houses out was a road, not very busy, but busy enough when you’re little.In this same era, I heard the story of the Prodigal Son.I always imagined, then, these lines, “…whileContinueContinue reading “The Prodigal”
Tag Archives: spirituality
New Year’s Report
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 tailspinContinueContinue reading “New Year’s Report”
Ste. Anne’s Lace
It’s a flower both delicate and hearty, Which is fitting for a city like Detroit (Just like our favorite derby girls, Fast flashes of women-on-skates, Bruising themselves and others on a polished ring). I’m always enlivened by the elaborate display Sponsored yearly, in the summer, By the stalky weed-flowers, Clumps of clustered white petals: QueenContinueContinue reading “Ste. Anne’s Lace”
On Buying Kitchen Aids
I’m not actually buying a KitchenAid. One time, when my parents were newly married, my dad bought something very expensive without talking it over with my mom, and then things got heated I think, and my dad felt guilty, and he bought my mom this really fancy gadget that has a blender and a mixerContinueContinue reading “On Buying Kitchen Aids”
Michigan Weather and God
I realized a day or two ago that I’m often tempted to treat God like I treat the Michigan weather…which is to say, “Not all that trustworthy.” A few weeks ago, it snowed heavy, heavy snow. Then, a few days later, we had a warm weather spell, which means my heaviest sweaters were retired, andContinueContinue reading “Michigan Weather and God”
Happy Easter, little chickens!
My family attends the Easter Vigil, a service that starts at sundown and stretches for hours and hours until midnight is passed. We started years ago, when some of my family members became Catholic, because it is that day when adults and children not-still-babies are anointed with oil and water and prayers. But, I digress.ContinueContinue reading “Happy Easter, little chickens!”
Sewer-steam prayer
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.ContinueContinue reading “Sewer-steam prayer”
Lent prep. Starting with the end in mind.
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,”ContinueContinue reading “Lent prep. Starting with the end in mind.”
Tiny blessing prayer
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 prayContinueContinue reading “Tiny blessing prayer”
Post-modern ministry and new evangelization and the way my mind works these days
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 IContinueContinue reading “Post-modern ministry and new evangelization and the way my mind works these days”
Seashell Nell 