Sunday Talks

You know me — I love to-do lists. I organize my life with them. Every day, just about, begins with a list. Every project begins with a list. If it’s something involved and complicated, it’ll include multiple lists and sublists,…

Rilke wrote, “And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” The observation seems quite simple at first. But then I notice the paradox of recognizing fullness where nothing exists. The coming year is suffused…

In 1863, amidst the American Civil War and during a time of great personal losses, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem, “Christmas Bells,” from which this beautiful hymn is lifted: I heard the bells on Christmas dayTheir old familiar carols…

This Sunday, we’re celebrating Blue Christmas, honoring our emotional depths and complexities during the holidays. It ain’t all just fa-la-la-la-la. And we don’t have to try or pretend to make it so. I totally love Christmas — AND — I’ve…

I’m looking for positive omens. And I’m finding them everywhere. Many of you have already heard that Travis took a bad tumble down the stairs last Sunday. He broke both his tibia and fibula in a splintery way, needed surgery,…

One of my television indulgences lately is a show called “Found.” I think it was originally produced by the History Channel a few years back, but recently has made its way to streaming on Hulu. It’s not amazing. It’s over-produced…

It occurs to me that this title could sound a little edgy on Thanksgiving Day, when a breezier gratitude theme might be expected. So let me say, first of all: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I am so deeply grateful to you…

Getting sick last week totally messed up my rhythm and drive. I’d chosen my title two weeks ago when I was feeling enthusiastic and energized and looking forward to my gazillion personal commitments. I was inspired by this advice from…

One of our cats, Danny, is a real piece of work. I expect that he always will be wild and difficult. Danny is cute as can be, with a chubby kittenish face, strangely long legs, and a stubby, crooked tail.…

I was at the optometrist’s office the other day, having a routine exam. I asked the doctor about my “floaters,” the little specks and smidgens that float around in my vision a lot of the time. I think most of…