“The writer isn’t made in a vacuum. Writers are witnesses,” E. L. Doctorow observed. How? Why? And what about this whole crazy business, the idiosyncratic process, angst and euphoria of writing in the first place? These are are some of the wide-ranging things that author Meredith Cole and I explore with special guests on The …
The Bible. It’s weird. Let’s talk. If you happen to be in Charlottesville, VA and free for (a free) lunch and talk on September 19 (Tues), c’mon by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (conference room)! I look forward to discussing my work for The Misunderstood Bible (forthcoming, Oxford University Press) with those able to …
You’re Invited! The Misunderstood Bible Project: A Talk Read More »
People ask what the Women’s March on Washington was for, anyway, as if not rallying around a single discrete issue is mere silliness. To them, I say: if only there were a single, simple, self-contained issue. Gosh, wouldn’t that be great? Here’s the thing. When trouble advances, women are pretty much always on the front …
Hang on, you there, packing up the Christmas lights, dismantling the tree, boxing up the crèche with its cast of characters and that long-tailed star. Christmas is not over. Sure, come December 26th, it may have been all over for the “Little Drummer Boy,” Bing Crosby, and the Nutcracker; but not quite for Christmas. The …
Epiphany’s Choice and the Environment: In Reverence to Honor, or in Fear to Destroy Read More »
Shaken. Oh, and stirred. Whomever you voted for on November 8, this election has left a lot of us shaken and stirred up, to boot. How plan the day when the president-elect snubs the Constitution, a delightful friend has invited me for coffee and pie, religious do-gooders chisel away women’s rights, and a mere twenty …
Daily Dilemma Plus Beef Bone Broth and Barley Soups Read More »
If heaven there is, it is surely with dogs. With Lady and Mukluk and Blizzard and Blue. Beauregard, Suvi, Sir Winston and Trieve. Loki and Merry, Hector, Shiloh, and Trout. There’s Cody and Norman, Tuk, all the Roberts, too. Sweet William, now join them. Godspeed on your way. Muzzle to palm, miss you. Miss you. …
For now, the swish and swish is all there is. The wooden handle of a rake with its metal-tined delta is all that I, who have come soul-tired, need. That, modest strength in my shoulders, and the blue tarp onto which I toss leaves with a swing that despite everything can’t but be joyous. It’s …
*Related: Join folks in RVA Aug. 18, 6pm for follow-up Hands Across Our Land rally!* (The following article first appeared on The Huffington Post) George Jones is still serving his country. Navy vet (Korea) and lifetime resident of Virginia, Mr. Jones bused to Richmond to take his message of American responsibility to the governor. That …
A Patriotic Act of Faith for Environmental Protection and Climate Justice Read More »
One of my favorite questions as a Bible-scholar-lady is “So, what’s the best translation?” I love this question not only because it opens the door to substantive discussion that can last for the better part of a class period… no matter how long the meeting. But I also love it because we get to talk …
Toggling. I think that’s the word. It’s got a good ring, anyway. Attending to one thing here, another there – specifically writing across genres – is giving my new meditation muscles extra gymnastic training. As I bounce between diverse projects with varying levels of responsibility and reward, I’m trying to keep in check all the …
