This morning after prayers and prayers again I find Brother August and his new apprentice at work on the great stone of marble. It’s in this state of creation where a halo is emerging from the center at the top, and it seems affixed to a head that is bowed. Already I can seeContinue reading “#36.3, Weds., Sept. 7, 2022”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
#36.2, Tues., Sept. 6, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Ligugè near Poitiers It’s nearly dark when I reach Ligugè after getting Ana settled in as a guest with the nuns. I arrive for vespers and stand in the back near the door. It is only the abbot and few monks here now. The abbot sees me immediately and atContinue reading “#36.2, Tues., Sept. 6, 2022”
#36.1, Thurs., Sept. 1, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Toward the Monastery of the Holy Cross We ride in silence for some hours, I, on a familiar road, Ana, always in wonder of the new places. It’s been a few generations for me, and some deaths since I attuned myself to the patterns of woman. As the pure paleContinue reading “#36.1, Thurs., Sept. 1, 2022”
#35.14, Weds., Aug. 31, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The Celtic Pagan village of Largin Ana has a clearer picture now of the challenges and possibilities and believes her mission, to save both mother and child might be doable. When Thole and I are privy to the “secret” it is that Tilp differs from her husband on priorities. TholeContinue reading “#35.14, Weds., Aug. 31, 2022”
#35.13, Tues., Aug. 30, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The Celtic Pagan village of Largin We’ve arrived at the village where Thole worries while Tilp naps. Ana is waiting to examine Tilp, and in the meantime Thole is explaining her pregnancy to Ana. “We are planning that winter would be a good time for this, near the solstice,Continue reading “#35.13, Tues., Aug. 30, 2022”
#35.12 Thurs., Aug. 25, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Druid Largin’s village on the Loire Ana is most anxious to meet Tilp and examine her. She wants to assess the limits of her skills against the likely problems with this birth. As we speak in whispers not to wake her, Thole tells Ana of his worsening fears for Tilp’sContinue reading “#35.12 Thurs., Aug. 25, 2022”
#35.11, Weds. Aug. 24, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Marmoutier on the Loire Saint Martin’s monastery here on the banks of the Loire, called Marmoutier, (That’s Martin’s monastery in French) is firmly grounded in the Benedictine Rule now. So this night we will stay here in a guest room with Ana wrapped in a monk’s wools so we won’tContinue reading “#35.11, Weds. Aug. 24, 2022”
#35.10 Tues. Aug. 23, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Following the Loire On these days we are riding on the north side of the Loire. These riverbanks had caves where Christian ascetics found solitude. I was among them while St. Martin was living with the monks near Poitiers. Ana listens to my incessant reminiscing. “When I first cameContinue reading “#35.10 Tues. Aug. 23, 2022”
#35.9, Thurs., Aug., 18, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Journey toward the Loire This new day we set out to follow the rivers to reach the Loire. At our pace it takes barely more than a day to come into sight of Sens, a city that keeps its Celtish ways even after the Romans came and built a wallContinue reading “#35.9, Thurs., Aug., 18, 2022”
#35.8, Weds., Aug., 17, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons “So, Laz, right there in the middle of the Gospel of John was that personal telling of your death and all the grief. With those details given of the funeral arrangements and all the people keening, it was surely a first-hand story by the ‘beloved disciple’ of Jesus. SoContinue reading “#35.8, Weds., Aug., 17, 2022”
Lazarus Ink 