Winter Beauty

Winter Beauty

AT THE CHURCH O THE PINES someone left the basement freezer open and now we are Narnia. The congregation shivers in their fur coats and feather stoles, and the morning hymns have a bit of a wobble in the high notes. Blue jays holler and shout, nuthatches mutter, chickadees say their names, and pileated woodpeckers, somehow, still laugh uproariously. The

Everywhere is a Scene of Beauty and Wonder

Snowy Forest

AT THE CHURCH O THE PINES, morning brings a world transformed, as winter lays its snowy hand upon the forest. Everywhere is a scene of beauty and wonder. And under a frosted balsam fir ‘cave,’ a little adopted kitten named Koda—a true outdoorsman—follows picture-taking Dad and absorbs it all.

The Orchids in the Cabin

The Orchids in the Cabin

AT THE CHURCH O THE PINES the orchids say it is a good morning. It is a fine thing to have a warm and bright corner of color in the cabin. Outside in the river-woods it is bright as well. But not so warm. Still, the congregation are all here, fluffed and feathered. Do they look longingly through the window

The Blue Sky and The Shining Ice

The Blue Sky and The Shining Ice

AT THE CHURCH O THE PINES the trees shiver in the wind off the river, which is now iced in. The wind chimes play their symphony. The birds and squirrels are well-fluffed. And Koda—our inveterate outdoorsman adopted as a kitten-of-the-woods last March; and his older brother, Simon, inveterate indoorsman, while away their time catnapping. Indoors. Even Koda only goes out

Frosty Day

Frosty Day

THIS FROSTY DAY IN the Church O The Pines forest finds us on our way to our family Thanksgiving, as we leave this pretty place to spend the day with son and grandchildren. It will be a beautiful day. We wish you Good Sabbath!

The World is Full of Secrets

The World is Full of Secrets

ON THANKSGIVING, I often share this book, published eighteen years ago and never out of hardcover print. With wonderful art by Greg Shed and a message that spoke—and speaks—directly from my heart, I am so happy to share it once more. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. In part… The world is full of secrets. Gentle, shy things that some people know and

The First Snow

The First Snow

AT THE CHURCH O THE PINES things look a bit different this weekend. Although the forecast says it may not last, the first snow has blanketed the ground, and the Church moat ((Mississippi River) is freezing over. Kathy and I returned last night from two events for the new book (which were fun and fantastic) and that old feeling of

Thinking About Love

Let There Be Love

TONIGHT I AM THINKING ABOUT LOVE. Over the last half-dozen years, it seemed a tidal wave of acrimony, dishonesty, and cruelty swept over this country. For those of us of a certain delicate disposition—sometimes called ‘snowflakes,’ we discovered—it became necessary to sometimes be fierce. To be strong. To protect or defend the people, ideals, creatures and places and institutions we

Reaching a Little Higher

The Pines

AT THE CHURCH O THE PINES this morning, the pines seem to be reaching a little higher. Sparky the Cardinal is singing a little brighter. The blue jays holler a bit more loudly. Winter is coming and the air is cold, but we feel a certain warmth. And we walk down a trail with a smile and a spring in