Early Medieval – Page 35

#39.5, Tues., Dec. 13, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. the path to Luxeuil Wearing winter fleeces now, I make my way down the hill coaxing the mules through the drifts of snow on the zig-zag path, down, down to the hard-frozen creek bed. The wind is nearly at my back, sending snow dancing in swirls and twirls of outContinue reading “#39.5, Tues., Dec. 13, 2022”

#39.4, Thurs., Dec. 8, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. a cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Colleen asked. So I bring out the little cradle I’ve been carving to make a gift for Ana and the baby; but now Colleen flatly rejects it. She says it will never serve under the circumstances. I needed to carve it from a muchContinue reading “#39.4, Thurs., Dec. 8, 2022”

#39.3, Weds., Dec. 7, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. a cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil The skies threaten a winter storm so the Luxeuil workers who travel the creek path with the mules come up here now to find shelter for the mules. Here our stable is a perfect place for… well, not just for hiding the lust ofContinue reading “#39.3, Weds., Dec. 7, 2022”

#39.2, Tues., Dec. 6, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. a cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Colleen returned from meeting Father Columbanus in a far better state than when she left. He has that gift. She, who is usually stoic and unrattled by circumstances, seems nearly cheerful. Ana asks if the worry over sin is settled. Colleen won’t yieldContinue reading “#39.2, Tues., Dec. 6, 2022”

#39.1, Thurs., Dec. 1, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil I set a fire in the pasture for smoking the deer and I took some portions to the cold cellar dug under the wall of the cottage, where now I can hear Ana and Colleen inside arguing. I’ve never known them to disagree, much less,Continue reading “#39.1, Thurs., Dec. 1, 2022”

#38.13, Tues., Nov. 29, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Cottage in the Vosges Brother Servant finds Colleen’s porridge delicious. But Ana suggests I do the cooking if Colleen doesn’t allow her out of bed to do it herself. I’m fine with that. Let’s let Ana rest. I think we can spare a turnip from the heap of roots, andContinue reading “#38.13, Tues., Nov. 29, 2022”

#38.12, Thurs., Nov. 24, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Cottage in the Vosges “So it will be longer walk for us to Luxovium.” I’m just thinking aloud to the Brother Servant. “We will have to go ten miles now.” “You’ve no idea where Luxeuil is, Ezra? Your hill cottage is a stopping place on the way there. PeopleContinue reading “#38.12, Thurs., Nov. 24, 2022”

#38.12, Thurs., Nov. 24, 2022

#38.11, Weds., Nov 23, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. At home in the Vosges Mountains On this new day the earth is glittering pure and glazed in snow — a blank page for new beginnings. This morning we will climb the hill to the cottage we left last summer as a still sleeping dream of a home. Brother ServantContinue reading “#38.11, Weds., Nov 23, 2022”

#38.10, Tues., Nov. 22, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. the road home Months ago, Ana and I had journeyed so long on horseback following a different route to deliver messages to the Bishops of Austrasia. Now we have a more direct path and it seems we are already starting the climb into distant mountains. The infant in Ana’sContinue reading “#38.10, Tues., Nov. 22, 2022”