Category Archives: Uncategorized

3/17/19: Joyful and Not-Quite-Joyful Noise

Posted on March 17, 2019 by

A Jewish friend once admonished me for passing up a recreational day trip. He let me know that one day when we face God, He will say “I filled this world with innocent wholesome pleasures. What pleasures did you go … Continue reading →

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01.21.2019 Winter Antidote

Posted on January 21, 2019 by

It was fortunate that a resourceful co-worker persuaded me to take a walk today. I resisted the whole idea, thinking of all the chores awaiting and the usual state of Sunday meaning-of-life blues. But she persisted in thinking that this … Continue reading →

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Nicholas the Wonder-Worker (Николай Чудотворец)

Posted on December 28, 2018 by

St. Nicholas? Why? That question rose, quiet and bright as the moon melting up into the sky over the black and tangled trees. It was Christmas Night. After my week of upholding and returning and conveying the sweetness and blessings … Continue reading →

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12/21/18: Velvet and Chains

Posted on December 22, 2018 by

At a conference a whole bunch of years ago, a social work colleague invited me to her agency, to sit in on a special support program. The program was for adults in their early twenties. The young adults all had … Continue reading →

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12/16/18 Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me

Posted on December 16, 2018 by

(As with all film reviews on this blog, full spoilers are provided throughout.) For Glen Campbell fans, and for people who don’t recognize his work at all, this is a wonderful worthwhile movie about family coming together in adversity, and … Continue reading →

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12/1/2018: Ukrainian Music: Yuriy Fedynsky (Юрій Фединський)

Posted on December 1, 2018 by

Yuriy Fedynsky  builds, plays, and teaches traditional musical instruments. With a  background in classical piano, living in North Carolina he heard his grandmother and mother speak Ukrainian, and felt inspired to learn the language and to travel to Ukraine to … Continue reading →

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11/30/18: Manger Scenes

Posted on December 1, 2018 by

There’s an exhibit in town of 500 or so Nativity scenes from 120 countries. Some are family heirlooms; many were brought back by missionaries the world over. I walked in out of a windswept rain for a look, and gosh … Continue reading →

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