Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The Vintner’s Cottage on the Moselle The vintner asks me why I’ve come to the vineyards if it is just to pick my way fighting into their controversy. I have to wonder that myself. Was I driven here for some reason only I can fulfill? Or am I so caughtContinue reading “#53.7, Thurs., Feb. 15, 2024”
Category Archives: Historical Fiction
#53.6, Weds., Feb. 14, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. On the River Path near the Moselle River This morning I leave early on the borrowed horse. Ana doesn’t exactly send me off with her blessing. She thinks it’s foolish for a pacifist as I am to go off to quill a fight among wine growers. But, while Brandell isContinue reading “#53.6, Weds., Feb. 14, 2024”
#53.5, Tues., Feb. 13, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. Luxeuil to borrow a horse This morning I am at Luxeuil which happens to be one of these monasteries built on a Roman ruin. Here my own son, Brother Gabriel, takes the messages from the leg of a bird to the abbot in this community. So here I findContinue reading “#53.5, Tues., Feb. 13, 2024”
#53.4, Thurs., Feb. 8, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The secular church near Annegray Mater Doe, our priest, shared with me her concern with answering the question of the vintners with her explanation of baptism, it puts the Jewish settlers coming to the lands in danger as outcasts. She is realizing now, after they left, that the real concern theyContinue reading “#53.4, Thurs., Feb. 8, 2024”
#53.3, Weds., Feb. 7, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The secular church near Annegray Mater Doe tells me of her conversation with two men who came here asking about baptism. “They asked me particularly about the power of baptism as it is demanded for Christianizing Jews.” “That is the concern these days?” She continues, “We know it’s a king’sContinue reading “#53.3, Weds., Feb. 7, 2024”
#53.2, Tues., Feb. 6, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges Brandell prepares for his journey into the unknown of Constantinople. He will be guided by his brother and Gaillard across the mountains, then they will part ways and Brandell plans to join a merchant ship’s crew in Ravenna to earn his travel by sea toContinue reading “#53.2, Tues., Feb. 6, 2024”
#53.1, Thurs., Feb. 1, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges The little painting, the icon, that Greg and Gaillard brought as a gift to our household is captivating. People who know the story well, children who’ve never heard it, the peasantry who have heard it all bedazzled with mystery by priests and scholars, everyone, nowContinue reading “#53.1, Thurs., Feb. 1, 2024”
#52.14, Weds., Jan. 31, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges While Brandell is completely committed to a journey somewhere he knows nothing of, using shear creative imagination to solve a problem he has no control over, he is simply answering God’s dare. He has no imagination for any of the dangers of travel. He doesn’tContinue reading “#52.14, Weds., Jan. 31, 2024”
#52.13, Tues., Jan. 30, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. Creekside near the farm in the Vosges “I did pray about it, Papa. And God answered with that kind of backwards answer when God expects us to already know something. So, the second verse of my prayer was, ‘Yes, dear God, Creator of all Creation, I don’t even want toContinue reading “#52.13, Tues., Jan. 30, 2024”
#52.12, Thurs., Jan. 25, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges “Brandell.” I ask, “sing for me this so-called evil verse?” He sings shamedly, nearly under his breath. “My grandpapa was a Pharisee, fine, A God beloved, obedient Jew! He feasted on lamb and sipped blest wine And remembered theContinue reading “#52.12, Thurs., Jan. 25, 2024”
Lazarus Ink 