#49.5, Weds., Oct. 11, 2023

Historical Setting:  610 C.E., Vosges Mountains          Greg is telling me that he has completed his indenture and Gaillard’s family may release him but he fears that would be so that Gaillard could take a wife.  He tells me Gaillard finds the solution for that in calling Greg his “precious concubine.”          What can IContinue reading “#49.5, Weds., Oct. 11, 2023”

#49.4, Tues., Oct. 10, 2023

Historical Setting:  610 C.E., Vosges Mountains          Greg and I are butchering the lamb that was slaughtered for the homecoming feast for those who returned today from a peace and charity mission to the strangers across the rivers.          Greg is helping me prepare the lamb so he can talk with me alone. He toldContinue reading “#49.4, Tues., Oct. 10, 2023”

#49.3, Thurs., Oct. 5, 2023

Historical Setting:  610 C.E., Vosges Mountains          When I was last keeping this journal, before the caravan of charity, before our farm was rich, before our sons were grown, Ana and I had a house full of wee ones. We had just sent Gabe and Greg off only imagining them as the men they wouldContinue reading “#49.3, Thurs., Oct. 5, 2023”

#49.2, Weds., Oct. 4, 2023

Historical Setting:  610 C.E., Vosges Mountains          Now it’s been many months since the caravan of Christian charity crossed over the hills and out of sight. We’ve heard nothing from Greg and Gaillard, and Hannah as well — until yesterday. The bird Hannah had for messaging came ahead with the news to expect them homeContinue reading “#49.2, Weds., Oct. 4, 2023”

#49.1, Tues., Oct. 3, 2023

Historical Setting: 610 C.E., Vosges Mountains Seven years since last I wrote.          Bishop Felix returned from his recent journey to Rome with the news that Pope Gregory is dead and much is left unfinished. The hopes Columbanus had in finding an ally in the pope went array because the pope didn’t even receive hisContinue reading “#49.1, Tues., Oct. 3, 2023”

#48.12, Thurs., Sept. 28, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. The Vosges Mountains          Those who were once hunters will soon be bent into farmers who will have no safety from wars except for a landowner’s castle walls.  The legends haunting the Samhain fires of the dwindling tribes of pagans remember the ghost riders across the sky, the soldiers of TheodoricContinue reading “#48.12, Thurs., Sept. 28, 2023”

#48.11, Weds., Sept. 27, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. The Vosges Mountains          I was asking what Bishop Felix will do if the noble bishops of Gaul won’t negotiate.          He explains, “I will go to the pope again and ask for an assignment to East Anglia. Oh, but I probably shouldn’t make it sound so futile when these powerContinue reading “#48.11, Weds., Sept. 27, 2023”

#48.10, Tues., Sept. 26, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. The Vosges Mountains          We’re gathered at the table for our morning oats with our guest, Bishop Felix. Right in the middle of the table is a wilting bouquet of pinkish shades of chickory gathered by Haberd and Brandell. Now I see they are thinking of the color of this bishop’sContinue reading “#48.10, Tues., Sept. 26, 2023”

#48.9, Thurs., Sept. 21, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. The Vosges Mountains          Even as the sun rises these guests are sleeping soundly. This could never happen under the rule they keep at their own communities. So, to keep the quiet in the cottage, Ana and I take the four little ones outside into the sunny autumn day. Haberd andContinue reading “#48.9, Thurs., Sept. 21, 2023”

#48.8, Weds., Sept. 20, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. The Vosges Mountains          The night dissolves from first dark into the timeless space between days and still these two men of God are deep in conversation. Bishop Felix tells the Father of the Pope’s priority on sending out missionaries to far places, and here Father Columbanus, is perceived as aContinue reading “#48.8, Weds., Sept. 20, 2023”