Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Simon played this little harp we made with gut strings on a bent ash root. From these hardened leftovers of life-things Simon made music and Brandell believed Simon had magical power. Maybe a two-year-old notices the “hole in the music” when someone is missing, andContinue reading “#47.3, Thurs., Aug. 3, 2023”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
#47.2, Weds., Aug. 2, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges People like Simon would seem ordinary, or common, amid the great heroic tales that are told by the fires of soldiers gathering for wars. The ordinary aren’t mentioned. Great stories are spun around the likes of Greg or Gabe. And I can imagine little dark-hairedContinue reading “#47.2, Weds., Aug. 2, 2023”
#47.1, Tues., Aug. 1, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges All night last night, we sat at the table with a candle and the book. Ana and I took turns reading to one another through warm tugs and tears. We read the scribbles of words in Simon’s journal. [Footnote] The pages are the storyContinue reading “#47.1, Tues., Aug. 1, 2023”
#46.12, Thurs., July 27, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Commoners don’t record their begottens. No one but God and the memories of old grandmothers keep this lineage. But with my oddity, having an ever and ever perspective I’ve come to know that the human record of history is only as good as the keepingContinue reading “#46.12, Thurs., July 27, 2023”
#46.11, Weds., July 26, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Late summer days on this farm bring so many changes – geese and goats added and the earth yielding a full harvest. The root crops are particularly abundant and if we store them properly, they will stretch well into winter, maybe even to spring. TheContinue reading “#46.11, Weds., July 26, 2023”
#46.10, Tues., July 25, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Gabe and I share this private conversation as we brush down the horses Greg and I borrowed and Gabe wants to discuss the issue burning through the night whispers in the novice quarters. “Fear of the Lord” whether required or optional, or interpreted through abusesContinue reading “#46.10, Tues., July 25, 2023”
#46.9, Thurs., July 20, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges The novice here on stable duty this morning is Gabe. That was probably a kindness by the brother who assigns duties to the novices. I can see Gabe is well and finding his spiritual nurture in this place. He tells me he has a betterContinue reading “#46.9, Thurs., July 20, 2023”
#46.8, Weds., July 19, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. On the road between Metz and Luxeuil It was a different kind of authority that Jesus taught in a time when Romans kept the order and Pharisees kept God’s law. Jesus opened that old Jewish vault of always knowing that God is love. He remembered the ancient stories of theContinue reading “#46.8, Weds., July 19, 2023”
#46.7, Tues., July 18, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. Metz It seems as though I should be grateful that my son would be indentured to a man who, as bishop, has placed his own commitment to God above his noble need for expanding earthly power. Thank you, God. And maybe this chaffing at my conscience is only myContinue reading “#46.7, Tues., July 18, 2023”
#46.6, Thurs., July 13, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. Metz The bishop only scoffs at my suggestion that a Christian birthright assumes pacifism and apparently, he doesn’t see that as courage. “But your holiness, wasn’t Christian pacifism taught and exemplified by Jesus? And wouldn’t you say that Jesus showed great courage calling out his forgiveness from the cross?”Continue reading “#46.6, Thurs., July 13, 2023”
Lazarus Ink 