I had the great pleasure last Saturday of introducing a little baby girl to the fantastic delights of styrofoam peanuts. They were among the many wonderful things sent to me by my friend, although I am shamed to confess I did not value them very highly when I first saw them. My friend, in a … Continue reading Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun. →

Yesterday marked the thirteenth week from my arrival in Germany. For some reason, I always count from the day of my arrival as opposed to the day of my departure. Some part of me likes to hold off the satisfaction of rolling over the new number until it is absolutely certain I am not jumping … Continue reading With or Without You →

I sat in a tent-cave yesterday morning, a tent-cave I myself very proudly constructed (at the direction of one very earnest almost-four-year-old) by draping blankets over the edges of a bunk bed. Sitting in a tent-cave is a very worthwhile occupation, and one that more people ought to take time to do more regularly. I … Continue reading You better hurry, Rabbit, run, run, run. →

A package arrived for me this morning from a dear friend of mine. I had been forewarned, and had awaited it with some nervousness these past few days, for alongside the excitement with which I looked forward to receiving it, was the fear that it would not arrive. It certainly took longer than I thought … Continue reading Mr. Postman, Do You Have a Letter for Me? →

My church going experience in Europe so far has been a dangerous journey, filled with nearly-missed masses, incomprehensible sermons, and other scandals soon to be revealed. It seems that many Catholic churches in Europe have to share their priests, having not enough parishioners per church to support one full-time. Coming from an area where there … Continue reading The Tolling of the Iron Bell Calls the Faithful to their Knees →