Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges In an earlier time, when Greg and Gabe were still toddlers and Simon and Hannah were babies, I was often as much a close parent to these children as was Ana. But we let this pass from us as the farm chores were doled outContinue reading “#47.14, Weds., Aug. 30, 2023”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
#47.13, Tues., Aug. 29, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges I just returned from Luxeuil with the good news that I had spoken with our son. He is now Brother Gabriel, keeper of the birds. His duty there not only fits his gift of caring for the creatures of earth, it also sets him inContinue reading “#47.13, Tues., Aug. 29, 2023”
#47.12, Thurs., Aug. 24, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil Jack, the donkey, seems to know the way to Luxeuil because we go this way so often. And maybe he remembers he belongs to Sister Colleen. This time I’m going alone to deliver the portion due the monastery this month as the tithe we give for the useContinue reading “#47.12, Thurs., Aug. 24, 2023”
#47.11, Weds., Aug. 23, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges So here are Greg and his student, friend and lover, Gaillard, spinning wild imaginings into dreams of faraway lands. They imagine riding camels across a vast emptiness — empty, not because it is a desert, but because it is unknown to them. They ride onContinue reading “#47.11, Weds., Aug. 23, 2023”
#47.10, Tues., Aug. 22, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges I’ve learned from Greg how the Bishop of Metz has, in a way, honored my request that my son be allowed to choose pacifism. Though Greg would be a soldier, his mission could be the Jesus peace. I would’ve said the “Christian” peace, since JesusContinue reading “#47.10, Tues., Aug. 22, 2023”
#47.9, Thurs., Aug. 17, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Greg and Gaillard are in from the stable. The morning chores are light these days, and we have time to talk with these boys who are in the midst of the amazing dreams of youth facing a star-field of possibilities for their years to come.Continue reading “#47.9, Thurs., Aug. 17, 2023”
#47.8, Weds., Aug. 16, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges In the dark of morning I waken and I see Ana there sitting by the fireside reading the letter on fine vellum from Gabe. It’s a short letter — she must be pondering. “Did Gabe tell you how he’s doing?” “He didn’t haveContinue reading “#47.8, Weds., Aug. 16, 2023”
#47.7, Tues., Aug. 15, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges This night our little children are asleep in the loft above us, and Greg and his guest, Gaillard, are sleeping in the hayloft above the stable. Ana whispers her retort to my silent worry. “You have the worst thoughts of that fellow, Gaillard, IContinue reading “#47.7, Tues., Aug. 15, 2023”
#47.6, Thurs., Aug. 10, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges “Papa, Momma,” Greg presses Ana against his iron breast. “I heard about Simon.” His sobs are contagious. Even this young stranger Greg has brought, steps away to obscure his own tears. “It’s a terrible loss.” I say, “It was good you came. WeContinue reading “#47.6, Thurs., Aug. 10, 2023”
#47.4, Tues., Aug. 8, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Here, I play a simple tune on Simon’s harp. It’s a song Simon invented to please the cuckoo nesting near this place where only flowers may grow. Brandell is delighted. For just a moment the tones of cooing cuckoo sullies the sorrows of us humankinds.Continue reading “#47.4, Tues., Aug. 8, 2023”
Lazarus Ink 