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”
Category Archives: Serial Fiction
#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”
#52.11, Weds., Jan. 24, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges I can understand Brandell’s frustration with that Church authority at Luxeuil. For all these centuries the ancient Roman’s rumors of poison hate against Jews have been lingering in the shadows, seemingly harmless. Rome is long gone. But now, suddenly, one emperor, far away in theContinue reading “#52.11, Weds., Jan. 24, 2024”
#52.10, Tues., Jan. 23, 2024
Art Notes: This gouache painting is this artist’s interpretation of a detail of the relief from the Arch of Titus (in ruin) showing the Roman looting of the Temple in Jerusalem. Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges Brandell asks me, “So Did Rome ever conquer the Jews?” “Rome is goneContinue reading “#52.10, Tues., Jan. 23, 2024”
#52.9, Thurs., Jan. 18, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges “Beware!” I tell Brandell, “When a voice of authority says, ‘Since you can’t read,’ or ‘because this is voluminous and technical let me tell you what it really says’ then you can expect misinformation, lies and untruths which are easily doled out to the illiterateContinue reading “#52.9, Thurs., Jan. 18, 2024”
#52.8, Weds., Jan. 17, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. Walking by the creek near the cottages His mother tells Brandell he has to eat soup now, so he dutifully sips from the bowl as though eating is a weighty chore he has to do. There is no sign on his face of that infectious smile that can drink up theContinue reading “#52.8, Weds., Jan. 17, 2024”
#52.7, Tues., Jan. 16, 2024
Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges I ask Brandell, “Why would you think I would be angry with you?” “The Church authority said my little silly rhyme is against the Doctrine of the Church because it speaks favorably of Jews. And right now, there is a King’s ban on Jews.Continue reading “#52.7, Tues., Jan. 16, 2024”
Lazarus Ink 