Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil “Bringing a new bird now.” That was the message that arrived today on the leg of one of our birds. We had sent a message to Annegray that the boys arrived safely but we had not heard back, nor had we received the visitors weContinue reading “#41.11, Thurs., Feb. 23, 2023”
Category Archives: Historical Fiction
#41.10, Weds., Feb. 22, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Sister Marcella always keeps her eye on the hour, and she is expecting the babies will be waking just now. Ana sits with the first son in the chair, and opens her tunic. Sister Marcella checks on Gabriel, still sleeping soundly. “His name isContinue reading “#41.10, Weds., Feb. 22, 2023”
#41.9, Tues., Feb 21, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Both babies are well today. The three nuns-to-be and I use a little flask with a spoon top to feed one of them while Ana has the other. It is a very nice thing to hold a baby and to nurture his strength with milkContinue reading “#41.9, Tues., Feb 21, 2023”
#41.8, Thurs., Feb. 16, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Ana is concerned about the smaller baby fearing he isn’t well. Colleen and the sisters don’t find this unusual. Being born is always dangerous, and these two infants have just come through that most terrifying journey into life. But Ana is especially concerned andContinue reading “#41.8, Thurs., Feb. 16, 2023”
#41.7, Weds., Feb. 15, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil When two babies sleep the mother sleeps, the midwives get their rest, and so many thoughts and notions, remembrances and dreams race through my imagination just now. I can be the one who is awake to rock the cradle. I can remember lullabies. It’sContinue reading “#41.7, Weds., Feb. 15, 2023”
#41.6, Tues., Feb. 14, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil It was a very long night. And now this disheveled morning is dizzy with sleeplessness. I add more wood to the fires. In our minds this is the good ending we were praying for. In our hearts we are not so sure. Actually, Ana andContinue reading “#41.6, Tues., Feb. 14, 2023”
#41.5, Thurs., Feb. 9, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil After our midday meal Brother Servant is on his way taking a bird, and leaving the two nuns here with Colleen and Ana. I find that this is a good time to work alone in the stable to hone my winter projects, the cradle forContinue reading “#41.5, Thurs., Feb. 9, 2023”
#41.4, Weds., Feb. 8, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil Colleen’s prayer aloud this morning was a bit of a surprise to Ana and me. We learned that Colleen has been worrying that she would be helping Ana deliver twins with no one to help but me. And now, she is bursting with gratitude toContinue reading “#41.4, Weds., Feb. 8, 2023”
#41.3, Tues., Feb. 7, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil A message arrived on a bird’s leg simply mentioning “the nuns of Laon.” “Laon has no nuns, or convent or monastery. We were there this summer on our journey looking for nuns.” I can attest. But Ana knows what this means and she’sContinue reading “#41.3, Tues., Feb. 7, 2023”
#41.2, Thurs., Feb. 2, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil When I mentioned our child yet unnamed Ana smiled with her beautiful whole face beaming far beyond that recent dinge of worry. Together we touched her round belly. We’ve been in the shadow of this thing Colleen calls “circumstance” for what seems a very longContinue reading “#41.2, Thurs., Feb. 2, 2023”
Lazarus Ink 