J.K. Marlin

#42.3, Tues., March 7, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Cottage in the Vosges The pagan-like secular church has become a true sanctuary for our worship through these years. The shrine in this place of worship in the woods is made of forest things. A twig, in front of the candle flame on the Christian altar spreads a fully embracingContinue reading “#42.3, Tues., March 7, 2023”

#42.2, Thurs., March 2, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Cottage in the Vosges Always changing, always new is the constant of a farm. Thole brought us a mule the summer after the twins were born, the foal of Ana’s Teardrop and Colleen’s donkey, Jack. With a mule for the hard work of it and a cow for the milkContinue reading “#42.2, Thurs., March 2, 2023”

#42.1, Weds., March 1, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Cottage in the Vosges Change is the nature of things that grow and things that heal and living things we come to know. Twelve years have passed. We know how it was, and how it is and there is a big difference between the “was” and the “is” but theseContinue reading “#42.1, Weds., March 1, 2023”

Catching up with the plot

NOTE TO FOLLOWERS OF THIS SERIAL STORY — Thank you for following. If you are human, and lose track of the story from time to time, the “catching up with the story line” is posted monthly on the home page. This month begins a whole new century skipping a few years. So it isContinue reading “Catching up with the plot”

#41.12, Tues., Feb. 28, 2023

Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Brother Servant arrived here with a bird to send messages to Luxeuil. So our message announcing the births of our sons probably set the dovecote at Annegray atwitter but never actually reached any human eyes. Colleen is serving our guest while in the other roomContinue reading “#41.12, Tues., Feb. 28, 2023”

#41.11, Thurs., Feb. 23, 2023

Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil “Bringing a new bird now.” That was the message that arrived today on the leg of one of our birds. We had sent a message to Annegray that the boys arrived safely but we had not heard back, nor had we received the visitors weContinue reading “#41.11, Thurs., Feb. 23, 2023”

#41.10, Weds., Feb. 22, 2023

Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Sister Marcella always keeps her eye on the hour, and she is expecting the babies will be waking just now. Ana sits with the first son in the chair, and opens her tunic. Sister Marcella checks on Gabriel, still sleeping soundly. “His name isContinue reading “#41.10, Weds., Feb. 22, 2023”

#41.9, Tues., Feb 21, 2023

Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Both babies are well today. The three nuns-to-be and I use a little flask with a spoon top to feed one of them while Ana has the other. It is a very nice thing to hold a baby and to nurture his strength with milkContinue reading “#41.9, Tues., Feb 21, 2023”

#41.8, Thurs., Feb. 16, 2023

Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Ana is concerned about the smaller baby fearing he isn’t well. Colleen and the sisters don’t find this unusual. Being born is always dangerous, and these two infants have just come through that most terrifying journey into life. But Ana is especially concerned andContinue reading “#41.8, Thurs., Feb. 16, 2023”

#41.7, Weds., Feb. 15, 2023

Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil When two babies sleep the mother sleeps, the midwives get their rest, and so many thoughts and notions, remembrances and dreams race through my imagination just now. I can be the one who is awake to rock the cradle. I can remember lullabies. It’sContinue reading “#41.7, Weds., Feb. 15, 2023”