Awakening Grace

InspirationMove me brightly,Light the song with sense and colorHold away despair. — Robert Hunter The Graces, also called the Charites (sometimes spelled Kharites), are three beautiful daughters of Zeus, the supreme ruler of Olympus. Their mother was the sea-nymph Eurynome, daughter of the Titan Oceanus. The Graces, then, would be related to Zeus’ other children, … Read more

Saturday Poetry

The Song of Wandering Aengus by W.B. YeatsI went out to the hazel wood,Because a fire was in my head,And cut and peeled a hazel wand,And hooked a berry to a thread;And when white moths were on the wing,And moth-like stars were flickering out,I dropped the berry in a streamAnd caught a little silver trout. … Read more

Our Guides to Graceland

Illustrious Kharites, mighty named, from Zeus descended, and Eunomia famed [Eurynome], Thalia and Aglaia fair and bright, and blest Euphrosyne, whom joys delight.– from The Hymns of Orpheus, translated by Thomas Taylor (1792) The Graces, also called the Charites (sometimes spelled Kharites), were three beautiful daughters of Zeus, the supreme God of ancient Greece. Their … Read more

Blessings of the New Moon – Happy Birthday Elvis!

For reasons I cannot explainThere’s some part of me wants to seeGraceland,And I may be obliged to defendEvery love every endingOr maybe there’s no obligations now,Maybe I’ve a reason to believeWe all will be receivedIn Graceland. In Graceland, Graceland, GracelandI’m going to Graceland.— Paul SimonAll who know me well are aware that my roots are … Read more

Halcyon Days

Halcyon days, now wars are ending.You shall find where-e’er you sailTritons all the while attending With a kind and gentle gale. — Halcyon Days by Thomas Shadwell (1642 – 1692) Winter Solstice draws near, and we enter into the Time Out of Time. Once upon a time, Alcyone (also called Halcyon) was the daughter of … Read more

The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Hate was just a legend,War was never known.People worked togetherAnd they lifted many stones.Then they carried them to the flatlandsBut they died along the wayThen they built up with their bare handsWhat we still can’t do today.And I know she’s living thereAnd she loves me to this dayI still can’t remember whereOr how I lost … Read more

Value and meaning

All the perplexities, confusion and distresses in America arise not from defects in the constitution or confederation, nor from want of honor or virtue, as much from downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit, and circulation. — John Adams, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson What is the difference between a hobby, a passion, … Read more

In Remembrance of Madeleine L’Engle

Nov. 29, 1918 – Sept. 6, 2007Madeleine L’Engle was best known, perhaps, for her wonderful series of books that began with the Newbery Award-winning A Wrinkle In Time. But she was also a cherished writer of poetry, plays, autobiography and books on prayer. Her deeply held Christian beliefs were never a barrier to her love … Read more