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The Gate of Heaven is Everywhere

Reading William Thiele’s The Gate of Heaven is Everywhere is like slipping into a cool green lake. Refreshing, rejuvenating, and thoroughly immersive. I’ve done contemplation of one sort or another throughout my life, and William’s book reminded me why. But, more importantly, it taught me that the way I do contemplation is...

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President for Everyone

When Donald Trump was elected in 2016, I waited for him to pivot from campaigning to being president. Take the win and move forward. I was shocked when he chose to keep doing his rallies. Now we know the rallies feed his self-definition. The adulation, the cheering at his remarks. He loves his rallies. It quickly became clear back then he had no...

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That is Swimming

First, you submerge into a different world. That’s the way I was taught. Sink. Quiet descends. The world turns cloudy, blurred. Bend your knees. Curl your legs and press your toes against the wall. Stretch your arms forward, cross your hands into a vee. Push off. You are an arrow cutting through the water. Take a breath, quick, under your...

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The Computer Chiding Me

Sometimes I have an idea to post here. Then I think about the SEO Optimization check and the Readability check and the “Have you added an excerpt? check.” I hear the computer chiding me and my pitiful post. And my desire deflates. Why not just go ahead and post and ignore all that? Because the post will have red-faced unhappy emojis...

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Nearing Vicksburg

I drove the narrow, wooded road until nearing Vicksburg where the green overhang opened up to cotton and soybean fields. The road into town, Clay Street, drops you right off at the Vicksburg National Park. The Civil War siege of Vicksburg, and the city’s July 4th, 1863, surrender gave Union forces control over the Mississippi River. The Park...

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A Pool Redux

I a pool redux, I got back in the pool today. I hurt my back in March (March!) which totally disrupted my swimming. You would think swimming would be good for one’s back (I did), but one time after I swam, I couldn’t walk and that scared me off. I’m a little pissed at the doctor who didn’t give me a steroid pack like I got...

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My New Pair of Wings

My favorite wings are the silver and brown leather wings I bought for myself several years ago. Christmas had arrived, and all the years of my childhood, Christmas meant new wings. Bright-colored jeans and a long sleeve snap shirt and cap guns in their holsters, too. Maybe I was nostalgic or maybe I was feeling sorry for myself, but I wanted a new...

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: Goodbye

Today, with our contemplative writing prompts for Lent, we say goodbye. Goodbye to the old way of looking at the world. So long to believing in violent retribution. And, most immediately, goodbye to each other. Well, I’ll still be here, but no more contemplative writing prompts for Lent. Because we won’t be with each other tomorrow...

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