Historical setting: 589 C.E. Metz Sweet fragrance of vineyards hums a placid summer’s gloss over any purpose for this journey. As we leave the vintner’s wife tells us we are seeking a dark old Roman basilica with baths. It will be dreary and damp, seeping with the laments chanted by women. In MetzContinue reading “Post #34.4, Tuesday, July 12, 2022”
Category Archives: Historical Fiction
Post #34.3, Thursday, July 7, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. An inn by the River Moselle Ana has learned she was born only a day’s ride from here. “Ana, don’t you want to go there and see what you remember? The church that gave you to the pagans might have written your baptism in their book. We could goContinue reading “Post #34.3, Thursday, July 7, 2022”
Post #34.2, Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Beginning a journey in the Vosgas Mts. Ana and I were delivered two fine horses from the count’s stable. Then Thole and Daniel leave as promptly as they arrived. Father Columbanus has his letters ready in response to the complaining bishops and he’s also given us a messenger’s purse.Continue reading “Post #34.2, Wednesday, July 6, 2022”
Post #34.1 Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Near Annegray in the Vosges Mts. Ana and I have a journey before us and we’ve barely finished preparing. A bird arrives with the message that Thole is waiting at the monastery with our horses. So on this fine summer’s day we take up our traveler’s bags and our bird inContinue reading “Post #34.1 Tuesday, July 5, 2022”
Post #33.14, Thurs., June 30, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Ana’s cottage in the Vosges Mts. The Lenten pilgrims reported to their bishops that Father Columbanus, while true to the creed, allows, and in fact, supports some contrary practices. The complaints seem not about spiritual practices, but more about external details. The Irish tonsure, shaven clean across the top ofContinue reading “Post #33.14, Thurs., June 30, 2022”
Post #33.13, Weds., June 29, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Ana’s cottage in the Vosges Mts. Thole is grateful for Ana’s promise. Before Tilp and Thole’s baby is due Ana wants to search out the resources from the ancient times when medicine was a science and things she needs to know now had been written down. We make a planContinue reading “Post #33.13, Weds., June 29, 2022”
Post #33.12, Tues., June 28, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Ana’s cottage in the Vosges Mts. The anticipation that fills this house just now is the complete terror of hope. No one ever speaks aloud of hope being terror, but we all know. Hopes and joys and promises always appear as blessings, but hopes are hidden fear. Awful possibility hauntsContinue reading “Post #33.12, Tues., June 28, 2022”
Post #33.11, Thursday, June 23, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Ana’s cottage in the Vosges Mts. Thole led the horse, as we made the heavy trudge up the hill on foot. And Ana is delighted to see another familiar person from her childhood on the Loire. She hung the water pot on the hearth and spread the biscuit dough risingContinue reading “Post #33.11, Thursday, June 23, 2022”
Post #33.10, Weds., June 22, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. At the monastery at Annegray Thole came here because hunters brought rumors that a healer once owed to the pagans is here. “So” I ask, “what is this urgent need the pagans have to find Anatase?” “You’ve seen her then?” “Why are you looking for her now?Continue reading “Post #33.10, Weds., June 22, 2022”
Post #33.9, Tues., June 21, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The path to the cottage in the Vosges It wasn’t exactly the ritual we were seeking, but now I do have a clearer understanding of Ana’s hopes and dreams. I share the hope in the possibility that we could one day have children. It seems so common, but it isContinue reading “Post #33.9, Tues., June 21, 2022”
Lazarus Ink 