#38.6, Thurs., Nov. 10, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons to Luxeuil          It’s dusk and we’ve stopped at a cottage in a cluster amid these fields and vineyards. These people are hospitable to our cow, donkey and mules, but they haven’t much concern for the eleven of us humankinds. They won’t hear a word of our plan to tradeContinue reading “#38.6, Thurs., Nov. 10, 2022”

#38.5, Weds., Nov. 9, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons to Luxeuil          Stuck in the mud as we are, we unhitch the team and lead the mules back to solid ground by the creek. The wagon is unloaded so we can lift it out of the mud. Here are chains and pulleys lots of heavy rope, a sledge hammerContinue reading “#38.5, Weds., Nov. 9, 2022”

#38.4, Tues., Nov. 8, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons to Luxeuil          I know of three ways to plunge ill-prepared into a journey on the wilderness edge of winter: brut ignorance and suffering strength; clever schemes using sparse resources; or we could simply trust the grace of God. Based on my long years of forever I suggest we firstContinue reading “#38.4, Tues., Nov. 8, 2022”

#38.3, Thurs., Nov. 3, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons to Luxeuil          Now I’ve learned this band of men who were supposed to have a leader were sent to help turn the ruin called Luxovium into a substantial refuge for the Irish father and his monks. These pilgrims and workers thought it would be only eight miles to Luxeuil.Continue reading “#38.3, Thurs., Nov. 3, 2022”

#38.2, Weds., Nov. 2, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons to Luxeuil          I’ve seen merchant caravans purposed with selling and armies driven by power of a hope for victory. I’ve been on pilgrimages, and I’ve been in a band of refugees — Jews leaving Jerusalem for Ephesus — but I’ve never known an entourage to travel with no knownContinue reading “#38.2, Weds., Nov. 2, 2022”

#38.1, Tues., Nov. 1, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons to Luxeuil          Winter is already showing up in this land. It’s a cold morning.  The women are glad to wear wool monk’s robes today. Jack is feisty in all this icy morning clarity so the donkey cart moves right along but now the cow can’t keep up tied toContinue reading “#38.1, Tues., Nov. 1, 2022”

#37.12, Thurs., Oct 27, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons          I learn that the King was expecting me to take a message on to Father Columbanus to tell him everything will change.  In fact we will be leading the construction crew — the same workers who already know how to build a monastery as they have done here inContinue reading “#37.12, Thurs., Oct 27, 2022”

#37.11, Weds., Oct. 26, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Châlons          Father Felix is telling me about King Guntram’s plan to move Father Columbanus from Annegray to Luxovium. Columbanus has not yet heard of this plan but already preparations have begun to send the workers who are completing this project on to begin another similar build in the foothills ofContinue reading “#37.11, Weds., Oct. 26, 2022”

#37.10, Tues., Oct. 25, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Traveling to Châlons          So now we are a great procession of cow, donkey and cart, followed by four fully armored servants of the Bishop of Rome on fine horses, all laden with swords and shields and horse covers of rich silks, prepared to deliver a message to the king ofContinue reading “#37.10, Tues., Oct. 25, 2022”

#37.9, Thurs., Oct. 20, 2022

Historical setting: 589 C.E. Along the Loire from Tours to Orleans        Preparing for our journey we have bent willow reeds over the bed of the cart to make the tarp into a roof and we’ve filled the cart with fleeces and wools and bags of grains along with the herbs we gathered where Eve’sContinue reading “#37.9, Thurs., Oct. 20, 2022”