Gentle Readers!
If I’d been in good company on Thanksgiving, I would have missed this walk in a hilltop cemetery over a shopping mall in the teeming rain.
This blog started out as a study in loneliness in all 100 shades — abyss black, luminous black shot with stars, fertile black seeded for flowers and fruits. Then it branched out to faith and grace, and to Russian language and culture, panning and sifting for whatever things shine. It’s also verbal cameo miniatures about people and their inner lights. Religion comes up a lot, but it’s a view into the stained glass windows seen from the snow by the bumbling lachrymose Match Girl.
I don’t know who reads this. About 2-5 people log on each week, from 70 countries. The top readership is now Brazil, with Kyrgyzstan a close second. The most-read page is a review of the Kyrgyz film “The White Ship” (Белый пароход, or Ak keme). The second most popular post is devoted to an icon to the Blessed Virgin called “Unexpected Joy” (Нечаянная радость).
“Are the stories true?”
Identifying details about other people, no; those are always heavily in code, because no one deserves to be shocked by recognizing themselves on some public blog. The plot is toned all the way down to keep things believable, and any adversity or darkness is airbrushed into colors easier on the eye. But the essence is true; the workings of providence and kindness.
“Между людьми, даже смерть красна,” the Russian proverb says — Between people, even death is beautiful…. M
© Mary Angelis 2012, Library of Congress, all materials. I’m required to state here that I wrote the material and took all the photos, and hold the copyright, and actually print this stuff for registry at the Copyright Office. It’s called “due notice.” And that’s just as well; you really don’t want to be the person who walks around thinking up all this stuff.
consolationland 
Beautiful writing and photography–thank you for sharing this.
Wendy
Wendy Wendy hello! Thank you so much! This gets about 1 viewer a day and you must be the one! It is an honor to see your kind words and a pleasure to be your tour guide for this little bit of the path… 🙂
“Are the stories true?” Identifying details about other people, no; those are always heavily in code, because no one deserves to be shocked by recognizing themselves on some public blog. The plot is toned all the way down to keep things believable, and any adversity or darkness is airbrushed into colors easier on the eye. But the essence is true; the workings of providence and kindness.
just beautiful.
Did you get my invite to be skype buddies?
Ah, nope; just emailed you to explain how come. Sigh. We’ll get there.
Mary, my god, this is so impressive, this enormous catalogue of becoming. I have always felt this about you, that you rock, basically. And now, with this, this, BLOG you have shown that a magnificent mastery is coming to you and through you. Amen to that. Awomen. Aeverything. So happy to be reconnecting with you. Love, abnd more love, this Joe.
Dear Joe the Wordsmith,
Just found your comment and want to answer it at length but the best answer is to fire up the thurible with crystals of frankincense and wave incense at it. You better call me soon. Love, the Mare
What are the odds that all three of us commenting on this post are named Maggie?? I love it! Love, Maggie a.k.a. the l’il m in the family 🙂
Dear l’il,
Yesss! That coincidence did not escape me. In fact, that coincidence did not even try; I chased it with bird-lime and tasty crumbs. What good luck to have 3 Magi commenters in life! And how very nice to come home from a hearty deluge and read your tidings at a dry warm computer. Love, big roller derby m
I love “Whatever things shine, 5/11” and I always feel better after reading something you’ve written. Even if you were in a funk because…sometimes I’m in a funk.
Maggie
O Our Dear Maggie, thank you much for sending your message bottle back across the ocean. It was very nice to see your comment treasurette wash up tonight and pour its cup of words upon the rocky shore. Here is hoping to learn more soon about your own shore too. Lovely Night! M
HI Masha,
I just read the last four entries of your blog. Love them all. I’m glad there is someone in the world paying attention to the things you pay attention to…
Your writing always fills me up in a good way –
Much love,
Maggie D.
Hey Mare! Just enjoying your words & grace on this dreary, terribly rainy evening; it never ceases to amaze me what a beautiful writer you are. And I LOVE your recipes! Even followed your links and Facebook-Liked them when available! 🙂 I love you!