Early in my high school years, I broke my ankle at soccer practice. I’d just started getting playing time, and even scored a goal in a game (my first) the day before. Then Lindsay Vetter and I went for the ball at the same second in a drill (she won), and I came down hard … More Embracing Limits (Soul Space Thursday)
Because the holidays are a’comin, and nothing says holiday like some good old family fun. … More 5 Board Games You Should Try
Your costume had to fit over a snowsuit Those boots in my hubby’s costume above? Yeah, those are Sorrel snow boots. 2. Houses were far apart and yards were big, so you had to work hard for each piece of candy It was like 0.9 miles per mini Snickers. You basically had to eat all … More 10 Signs You’ve Celebrated Halloween in the Rural Midwest
Rest Many of us have weathered the first days of the school year already, new routines and lunch boxes and pick ups and drop offs. The kids are all a little bit fried. We are all a little bit fried. So instead of packing this free day full of stuff to do, why not just rest? Let … More 5 Simple Ways to Make Labor Day Special
Good Friday is this Friday, April 14. Good Friday is all about the death of Jesus. The horrific, bloody death of Jesus. This day is one of cornerstones of the Christian faith. It’s important. Essential, even. I want my kids to have a grasp of it from their earliest days. To have heard about the … More How to Explain Good Friday to a Preschooler, and Other Things Seminary Never Taught Me
Daylight Savings Time surprises me biannually with its awfulness. Pre-kid, DST is annoying. You have an extra cup of coffee or try to go to bed a little earlier. Post-kid? DST is the kind of thing for which Dante needs to invent another circle of H-E-double-hockey-sticks in his Inferno. If you, like me, are muttering … More Why Daylight Savings Time is Every Parent’s Nightmare
For a commercialized, silly holiday, it can still pack a big emotional punch. How many of these Valentine’s Days have you had? 1. The Valentine’s Day everyone is dating except you No, I’m totally fine. I’ll just watch four hours of Law & Order and eat a whole can of Betty Crocker frosting. It’s just as fun as having … More 10 Valentine’s Days You Might Remember
Denise Levertov wrote a poem called “The Ache of Marriage.” When I studied it in college I wanted to throw it in the garbage. Marriage achy? Pfffft. Another example of a poet writing silly nonsense. Then I got married. That Levertov? She knew some things. Daryl finished his PhD this September. In many ways, his dissertation became a third … More The Ache of Marriage
A little humor for your holiday. … More Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving…
Because waiting is hard. … More An Introduction to Advent
Courtney Ellis 