Turning Down the Noise
As best I can, I quietly get out of our creaky bed. I’m up before everyone else, already looking forward to my morning ritual. I tip-toe into our bathroom where there is the least chance of being disturbed by others as they wake up. I grab a drink of water, light a candle, and pull out the cushion from the closet. I open the window, letting in a slight breeze and the sounds of crickets, birds, and the neighborhood. Sometimes I leave it open, and sometimes I don’t. I grab the
2 minutes ago5 min read
Red-Tailed Hawks
I think I shared this story once before, but there’s more to add to it. After Mom died in 2023, I was back in Austin shortly afterwards and was taking a walk through our neighborhood. There’s a trail through the trees, alongside a creek bed that’s dry 99% of the year. It’s a well-shaded walk and a regular path for me. And there’s a bench that’s tucked in there where I often sit, stare into the trees, and listen to the life all around. My time on the bench that day included a
Jul 104 min read
Uninvited Guests
I stepped out of the air-conditioned car and into the Texas heat and humidity, which offered…relief. Off and on, I had been chilled for the last couple of hours. It had been that way for the last two weeks with regular fevers and chills. I slowly walked past the six-foot bronze beaver welcoming me to the singular madness of the Southeast’s favorite gas station, Buc-ee’s. It was already past 2:00pm, so we were overdue for lunch. Though I still wasn’t hungry, I was going to ea
Jun 75 min read
