Historical setting: 589 C.E. Cottage in the Vosges This brittle morning I find easy success in hunting a buck for our winter stews. It falls so near our cottage that I can dress it right here, and don’t have to coax the donkey to drag it on a sledge back to the house. Continue reading “#38.14, Weds., Nov. 30, 2022”
Category Archives: Dark Ages
#38.7, Tues., Nov. 15, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons to Luxeuil In the dawn tranquility and the stagger of morning sleepiness, we make our way to the center of the cottages where there is this community well. Without words, we who will work today are unloading the wagon of ropes and pulleys and we’ve set a tri-pod ofContinue reading “#38.7, Tues., Nov. 15, 2022”
#37.12, Thurs., Oct 27, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons I learn that the King was expecting me to take a message on to Father Columbanus to tell him everything will change. In fact we will be leading the construction crew — the same workers who already know how to build a monastery as they have done here inContinue reading “#37.12, Thurs., Oct 27, 2022”
Post #26.6, Thurs., Nov. 11, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Crossing the Loire The ferry crossing with Thole and his horse ends in a disasterous upset with Thole and his horse and a ferryman all sliding into the river. The horse swims to shore as Daniel takes it’s rein and guides it onto the bank not far from the landing.Continue reading “Post #26.6, Thurs., Nov. 11, 2021”
Post #26.1, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval A scream of terror pierces the night. Count Bert is screaming, “a dragon! A dragon is slithering through the wood right toward our camp!” It is the night of Samhain when the two plains, the immortal and the mortal of earth become one. “This was theContinue reading “Post #26.1, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021”
Post #24.12, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021
Historical setting: 584 C.E. Ligugè This morning I follow the stable master to his workplace after morning prayers and before our work begins. I want to assure him I have prayerfully considered my attitude and he was right. My father would surely be dismayed at my insolence. I won’t try to untangle the confusionContinue reading “Post #24.12, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021”
Post #17.12, Thursday, February 25, 2021
Historical setting: 564 C.E. The Gaul Side of the Pyrenees I’m anxious to let Nic know of my recent clarity of memory. It’s all come back to me now, not as grief but as hope. I have a breathing reality in knowing where I will find my children and grandchildren. I suggest Nic andContinue reading “Post #17.12, Thursday, February 25, 2021”
Post #17.11, Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Historical setting: 564 C.E. The Gaul Side of the Pyrenees August is telling of his becoming a hermit monk. “I wandered alone until I found a quarry for my stonework and I made my cave near that place, so my prayers could be my artwork. Yet, even now I think often of my fatherContinue reading “Post #17.11, Wednesday, February 24, 2021”
Post #17.10, Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Historical setting: 564 C.E. The Gaul Side of the Pyrenees So, Nic asks August, recalling the story of Joseph, “It was like your brothers plotted to take you from your father, strip you of your fine coat with long sleeves then leave you in a wilderness pit?” [Genesis 37:20-24] August answers, “Yes, IContinue reading “Post #17.10, Tuesday, February 23, 2021”
Post #17.9, Thursday, February 18, 2021
Historical setting: 564 C.E. The Gaul Side of the Pyrenees So the decision is made. We make camp between yonder and nowhere for whatever time Brother Joel needs. Severing a foot is an agonizing cure but Brother Joel has accepted it as boldly as could anyone. And it’s clear Nic has a skillContinue reading “Post #17.9, Thursday, February 18, 2021”
Lazarus Ink 