Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Dorestad We follow until the river reaches the bluff edging the flood plan. From here the Rhine is laid out on the smooth land splitting into branches as a great tree with many limbs. We ride on to the place where these waters meet the sea. Here the wild-eyedContinue reading “#61.11, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024”
Author Archives: J.K. Marlin
#61.10, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Dorestad At this forge, we watch a master smithy and several apprentices at work. No one speaks — neither the smiths nor Greg and Gaillard. And I know better than to speak also. The silence doesn’t mention the king’s gold that is hidden with oats on our pack mule. SilenceContinue reading “#61.10, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024”
#61.9, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Rhineland marketplace Greg and Gaillard are including me on their so-called “pleasure” journey to purchase swords as a King’s gift. “You’re grieving, still.” Greg notices in my constant kvetching. “I suppose so. But always in grief it is one sadness upon another, so now, even my pacifistic natureContinue reading “#61.9, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024”
#61.8, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Traveling northward on the Rhine This next stopover is in another Roman city on the Frankish edge. Here a river crossing with horses can be done with a boat made by the Wends to transport war horses on these northern rivers. Theoretically, these boats can also be carried or draggedContinue reading “#61.8, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024”
#61.7, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024
Blog Anniversary, In Memorial This day is the fifth anniversary of this blog which I started and continue as a memorial to my father, Milton Heitzman, who was born on October 15, 1917. His spiritual presence affirms my blather here. He loved history and reading stories, promising always to write one, but he was busyContinue reading “#61.7, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024”
#61.6, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. The pasture at the farm in the Vosges Maybe Inky the cat will miss me. As for my children, I’m just the reminder of their loss. Do they need to be reminded to grieve? As the dark of winter closes in, I know they will remember their mother even ifContinue reading “#61.6, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024”
#61.5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. a place where only flowers may grow Greg and I are here in this place where I have chiseled Ana’s name on a stone to mark the burial of her bones one year ago. Now, our children believe this grieving year is supposed to end. I know it will not.Continue reading “#61.5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024”
#61.4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. the family farm in the Vosges Greg is explaining a perspective of a world that can be laid out on a table as a sheet of velum, marked with strategies in doted lines. It has X’s for various peoples distinguishing one from another with color codes for possible enemies —Continue reading “#61.4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024”
#61.3, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. the family farm in the Vosges This morning more horses were delivered to the pastures and I asked one of the young soldiers, who was it who ordered this. Of course, he names “Captain Greg.” I asked if this was preparation for a military operation or for escorting a journeyContinue reading “#61.3, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024”
#61.2, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024
Historical Setting, 631 C.E. The loft of the Creek Cottage Everyone tries to fix grief. I know they miss their mother and grief is not mine alone splayed out here for their mending. But, like an old wear-softened tunic, grieving should be worn underneath everything now, always close and always present, but best kept hiddenContinue reading “#61.2, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024”
Lazarus Ink 