This week has been full of birthdays and trying to dwell on small delights. First the bad news in lockdown land…. After the heads of state and all of the important people met for 6ish hours on Saturday, there are more restrictions going into places of Wednesday. These are things that are confusing and not…

We made the most of this week around here as we tiptoed into Spring. We soaked up moments of sun as we yearn for more of it, took our time to contemplate and walk with new little purple crocuses and managed to enjoy the days. I even got a haircut! Hairdressers had been closed since…

A few years ago, in the midst of my life falling apart, I was working at the church and my dear friend Chris who had the office down the hall from me peeked in to say, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!” I grumbled a response but then he said, “Let’s go to a place with great…

This afternoon after our walk with the pups, I snuggled down to take a break and watch a little Grey’s Anatomy (I started all the way back to season 1 over the summer and am now watching season 16). I have many things that I could be doing today but a little Grey’s seems like…

Yesterday afternoon the sky turned a weird orangish/yellowish color around 5pm. It darkened quickly outside. I had my headphones on but Ana heard thunder and exclaimed, “did you hear that?” It was the weirdest and surrealist moment because right then it was as if the clouds opened up and poured buckets of water. The wind…

Today is International Women’s Day. I had never celebrated this day until I moved to Europe. Here, today is a holiday. All take the day off, grocery stores are closed, and texts wishing a happy day are sent to the women in your life. Observed since the early 1900s, this holiday is to celebrate the…

Today we are trying a new thing. Ana has graciously agreed to be in charge of the pups during this day and has told me I am not to do chores or go on errands. Today is my writing day. A few weeks ago I “attended (over zoom thus the quotes)” a writing conference for…

A year ago today, Ana and I were in Basel, Switzerland. We had flown there after putting in our application to be the house sitters for these lovely people and to take care of their two pups. In return, we got to stay in their amazing place in a little village just outside of Basel….

We have made it to Friday. Near the end of lockdown week 17 the emotions seem to be flowing high all around. The general sense of those around me is a mix of anger and sadness, exhaustion and little glimmers of hope. Mainly, we are all ready for something …different to happen…. Here are some…

A few months ago, the pastors that I work with at the church I work for in Portland, Oregon over zoom asked if I wanted to facilitate a Lenten class for their community. I thought about it and thought it may be an awesome thing to and submitted three ideas, all of which I would…