Imagining a Christmas Spirit

Hello from the living room of my sister-in-law, When I was small, this day was a day of anticipation, a day of incredible cookies, candies, Norwegian delights, and church with candles and carols. It would not be until later I would learn to decorate the house into a fairytale of my own, and make bothContinue reading “Imagining a Christmas Spirit”

Colorless Christianity

Hello from my small, but tranquil corner, As I ponder the reality of Advent and its implications for faith, as I reflect on the spirit of Christmas, I like many want to focus on the simplicity of the season, even when everything around me seems anything but. The purely driven snow reminds me of theContinue reading “Colorless Christianity”

“Do you hear what I hear?”

Hello from my upstairs office at the Mini-acre, This past week has been a quick transition from fall semester to winter term. Over a couple of days, I was simultaneously completing the calculation and submission of fall grades and jumping headlong into the winter term while working with students to get them up and runningContinue reading ““Do you hear what I hear?””

Five Hundred Twenty-five Thousand, Six Hundred Minutes

Hello from my study on the Acre. The first time I saw the movie version of the musical, Rent, I was almost speechless by the end of the show. Since then, I have watched it numerous times, but it still can bring me to tears. While it is well-known, there are certainly those who areContinue reading “Five Hundred Twenty-five Thousand, Six Hundred Minutes”

Deciding to be Solitary or Lonely

Hello from my study, Today I followed through on a decision pondered for a while, but it is a decision that requires me to be more intentional, more thoughtful, and more disciplined about what I do. After multiple urgings as well as the life-style change COVID has brought, and some thoughts about my own long-termContinue reading “Deciding to be Solitary or Lonely”

Imagining Decades and Connecting the Dots

Hello from my upstairs study, It is Sunday evening and even though it is barely 8:00 p.m., it seems so much later when it gets dark so early. Over the last couple of days, I was so aware of that rapidly setting sun and when it is cloudy, it is even more apparent. I doContinue reading “Imagining Decades and Connecting the Dots”

Remembering Two Brilliant Siblings and Fifty Years

Good morning from the Acre, It has been a productive and eventful week, though not always in the way I had planned or expected. We have finished the third week of classes and things are not (nor expected to) slow(ing) down. Students are beginning to settle down and focus a bit better than their initialContinue reading “Remembering Two Brilliant Siblings and Fifty Years”

Walking and Wondering

Good early (sort of) evening My intentions of writing more this month have been hijacked by the end of a semester, managing my health yet again (I know it has daily requirements, but it has created yet another dilemma), and attempting to get ready for some holiday things, which have all gone by the waysideContinue reading “Walking and Wondering”

Languages, Locations, and Learning

Hello from our traveling classroom, We are currently on the bus after about 48 hours away from Kraków and off to the Ukraine. As we left Lviv, in the Western Ukraine today they were celebrating Orthodox Christmas. A number of students commented on how differently they celebrate the day. While we gather with family inContinue reading “Languages, Locations, and Learning”

Life Marches By

Hello from my office, It is a bit after 9:00 p.m. and I have spent about 20 hours or more the last two days working on my Winter Term online Technical Writing course. It is amazing what we have available in terms of technology and how we can reach out, from either direction. It isContinue reading “Life Marches By”