Monthly Archives: November 2016

“My theme for Advent this year is … listen”

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Maren

Arlene Drennan of Iowa wrote to me and said this — “My theme for Advent this year is … listen” Read below her opening words which can be shared by a single voice, by two voices (each starting with alternating … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Advent gifts, from Aoteraroa

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Maren

I begin Advent with gifts from Aotearoa – two of Heather Kelly’s Advent poems from Aotearoa and a photograph of the springtime there sent to me by Richard and Margaret Clayton. Consider the Sparrow Consider the sparrow, naked at birth; … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Improv on Charles Dickens … Advent was dead to begin with …

Posted on November 26, 2016 by Maren

Rarely do I even think to post humor … but this Advent my own contributions to the blog will be my playing with gifts, old and new, that have been given to me by the rich heritage of story, carol … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Gratitude in Action

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Maren

Originally posted on Life Beyond Books:
This is Thanksgiving week. Our favorite holiday. On Thursday afternoon, my partner Pam and I will gather with friends who have become family for us–expats, Ecuadorians, people from all over the globe. We’ll share…

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving Inventory, 2016

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Maren

I am thankful the people missing from my Thanksgiving table were people I loved — not everyone has my lucky, lucky tears. I am thankful for a country where the least likable person could be elected president, but that many … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 14 Comments

A Personal Testimony

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Maren

Nathaniel Emens has shared his response and some of the memories that shaped it in the days following the United States national elections. How my experiences, history, and religious beliefs are drastically different then the Trump Style of beliefs. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Shakespeare Reader and Other Christmas Tales

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Maren

The Shakespeare Reader and Other Christmas Tales is my collection of holiday stories, with poignant and humorous Shakespearean connections. It’s most enjoyable and makes a great gift! (Or I am in trouble since I have given it to many people) … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Prayers for Transgender Awareness Week

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Maren

1) God, my life is tossed like a storm and this frail fishing boat, my body, does not steer by the compass in my brain. It seems you are asleep and do not care whether I drown under waves of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Some small quiet words by Catherine Smith

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Maren

Catherine Smith sent this poem to share … what she calls some small quiet words in the wake of the United States presidential election, but appropriate for all situations. She writes, “These are words I posted yesterday on my blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Aftershock – Two Poems

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Maren

1) for Aotearoa / New Zealand God is not in the earthquake, and God is not in the landslides, rockfalls, terrible rains, aftershocks, tsunamis. God is in evacuators of Kaikoura, the people of courage in Christchurch – barely re-built from … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments