Noise
I went to the grocery store yesterday, and as I was putting everything away, I noticed that our pantry door's hinges were squeaking. Every time I opened the door to put something else in, it made this horrible, long screech. I couldn't find the WD-40, so I just had to deal with it over and over. It went on like that all day. I didn't realize how much I went in and out of that door, but now EVERYONE knew how often it was with that ridiculous sound. The thing was, it seemed like we'd just oiled that door, but as I thought about it, it really had been a while. Time just got away from me. I actually notice this about myself, too. If I don't pour in the oil of the Word on a consistent...
Underneath
I'm getting a late start this morning. Last night was the first full night's sleep we've managed since we got home, and we allowed ourselves this morning for as much extra rest as we could muster. It was delicious. We stayed home all day, yesterday. Kevin spent it outside, working on the property, clearing some areas and preparing our big ol' wood piles for burning, as we've reached the perfect time of year for that. I spent it inside, facing down about four times the amount of laundry I usually do in a week. At first it was daunting, but as I was sorting it all, I found myself picking up a shirt or pair of pants, and remembering the day it was worn on the trip. The orange shirt was...
On Remembering Your Name
Can I just tell you that jet lag is a real thing? Lord have mercy, but yesterday was ridiculous! When we finally got home, we both fell in the bed (our own bed...hallelujah!) around 12:30-1:00 in the morning, and were both wide awake at 4:00. That ended up with each of us only having had about 3 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period, as there was none to be had on the plane. Still battling the respiratory thing from the trip, I was really having a hard time. I called to see if I could get in to my doctor and get a recheck (post-Italian medical experience) and they were able work me in, so I drug myself into the shower and threw on some clothes, trying my best not to look like day-old...
Mimmie’s Heart: Letters to Valé #1
My darling Valé…when you get to be as old as your Mimmie, you might start to realize there are things you wish you’d said more intentionally to your own kids, as they were growing up, or, at the very least, you'll wish you had said them better. I heard once that grandchildren can be a kind of “do-over.” I don’t agree with that entirely, for you are not mine to raise, day in and day out. However, because I am removed from the constancy of your daily care, I think those things that need saying can rise more easily, and with greater clarity, to the top of my heart. It’s my hope that this letter (and the ones to follow in years to come) will help make your life’s road a little easier to...
Real Magic
It's early here in Rome. You may not even have gone to bed yet, if you're reading state-side, but here the sun is just beginning to rise on our travel day. Traveling away from this magical place, and home to reality. We spent our last day returning to our favorite spots. Lunch on Piazza Navona and a leisurely walk down my favorite street, which, I discovered, is named Via de Coronari. We checked out the Castel Sant' Angelo, which was originally built as a mausoleum by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 130 AD, then was used as a fortress and castle by the Popes. It has unbelievable views of St Peter's Basilica and all of Vatican City, and we were, for perhaps the thousandth time, blown...