Once upon a time, it was the custom of the land to give each newborn child a sweater. Every person in the child's village played a part in making the sweater. Some fed and watched the sheep, some sheared. Some spun thread, some dyed it brilliant colors. And some, called weavers, whispered incantations as they … Continue reading The Parable of the Magic Sweater
In spite of my best efforts, I am just not a secular person. I'm fascinated by religion, drawn irresistibly toward its ceremonies and symbolism like a moth to the flickering heart of a votive.
Whatever the reason, I've turned into one of those adults who were incomprehensible to me as a child: one who's ambivalent about Christmas.
A couple of days ago a co-worker asked me if I were Christian and I didn’t know how to answer.
Last Friday, I went back to the Orthodox church I've all but stopped attending. I'm sort of obsessed with the Virgin Mary; feast days in her honor are hard to resist. Plus, there was going to be a fish dinner. (Every year on the 25th of March, Eastern Christians commemorate Mary’s visitation by the archangel … Continue reading Why Go To Church?
Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’ve heard of her. Her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is an international bestseller, and perpetually on request at the library where I work. Last spring, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I expected an orderly makeup drawer, but reserved some skepticism … Continue reading It All Started With Marie Kondo
Last night I dreamed I was inside a half-razed cathedral. Parts of the ceiling and walls had been destroyed. Dozens of icons were clustered together at one end of the nave, stoic and forgotten. From a distance they seemed beautiful and valuable. I knew the church was slated for demolition and decided to take some … Continue reading Jesus, Zombie-Fighter and Prince of Paradox
