Historical setting: 589 C.E. The cottage in the mountains The monk explains that in Lent there are more pilgrims than ever at Annegray. He thanked Ana for the seeds and wild roots and flavorful herbs and for instructions for the kind of root cellars used in Gaul. So now, he says, food was alreadyContinue reading “Post #30.14, Weds., March 30, 2022”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
Post #30.13, Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The cottage in the mountains Close to the heart in these mountains deep in its valleys, the Black Forest cradles an eternity of ancient lore. Turned as yarn on the spindles of storytellers are romantic legends of fairies and princes, commoners always reaching justice after cruelty, always turning things upsideContinue reading “Post #30.13, Tuesday, March 29, 2022”
Post #30.12, Thursday, March 24, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The cottage in the mountains Ana and I are stumbling over steep cobblestones of reunion. Her dream of finding her beloved teacher alive and well, welcoming her back is dashed, and instead she gets handed a man with a wound. She breaks into my silence with words, “Of courseContinue reading “Post #30.12, Thursday, March 24, 2022”
Post #30.11, Weds., March 23, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The cottage in the mountains I’ve always imagined finding Anatase and it would be a happy reunion, abundant gratitude and endless hopes fulfilled. I’ve done nothing here but stare into the deep sky and I feel like she’s blaming me for all her hurt just because of my gender. Continue reading “Post #30.11, Weds., March 23, 2022”
Post #30.10, Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The cottage in the mountains Awake again, the brother servant and Ana are having biscuits and porridge. Brother Servant says he will be going back to Annegray right away, and offers to help take me to a straw bed closer to the fire before he goes. That is a kindness.Continue reading “Post #30.10, Tuesday, March 22, 2022”
Post #30.9.1, Friday, March 18, 2022
The Bridge to “Once We Were”* Historical setting: 589 C.E. A Roman Ruin What is it about ancient times that lets Roman bridges stand firm on old roads long after the empire has fallen? History, we know, is nearly always skewed by the perspective of now. The same hymn attributed to Saint PatrickContinue reading “Post #30.9.1, Friday, March 18, 2022”
Post #30.9, Thursday, March 17, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The cottage in the mountains “I once heard the ancient legend of Patrick told by a pagan druid. The pagans accept myths of shape-changers and, in fact, all varieties of magic of which Jesus knew nothing. So when I heard the druid legend it seemed all about the magic. Continue reading “Post #30.9, Thursday, March 17, 2022”
Post #30.8, Weds., March 16, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The cottage in the mountains Brother Servant and I are talking quietly. Ana is resting in the next room. He tells me, “Ana has been anxious to hear what has become of her teacher and her home by the Loire. She saw smoke rising behind her as sheContinue reading “Post #30.8, Weds., March 16, 2022”
Post #30.7, Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. A cottage ruin in the Mountains Ana answers the door of this place with the sky as its ceiling and she welcomes Brother Servant. He’s come with a cart and a wrap of linen apparently to gather up my remains for burial. She invites him in so I chooseContinue reading “Post #30.7, Tuesday, March 15, 2022”
Post #30.6, Thurs., March 10, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The ruin of a mountain cottage At this waking cold sunshine finds no roof over me. The deerskin is a warm blanket. Looking around the room there are walls and doors and even a window, just no other ceiling but the sky. There is a shelf near where the roofContinue reading “Post #30.6, Thurs., March 10, 2022”
Lazarus Ink 