DP: I Saw the Wind

Barren. Gray. The winter day (ironically an unusually warm one) reveals leafless branches, patches of brown. Nothing to catch my eye. Sitting in a dark corner of a house barely awake, I hear much. Though outside my periphery, birds insistently chatter on about their day’s plan, while my fingers tap out mine. A school bus makes … Continue reading →

Sharing Wisdom from Today’s Christian Woman Blog: Why I Raise My Kids with God

Too good not to share. My friend Kelli Trujillo writes with genuine kindness, conviction and a hearty dose of wisdom. Enjoy! Today’s Christian Woman Blog: Why I Raise My Kids with God. Continue reading →

Stirring Revolution

A singular sentence found on the back cover of a tiny book with a big title states: “Reading is a revolutionary act.”   YES. But first… Picture a man. See him straighten his cuffs, his papers, his resolve. Feel the weight of his pen as he ponders the heft of the words he will write. … Continue reading →

DP: I Got [99] Skills… but Good Grammar Ain’t One

The Daily Prompt asks, If you could choose to be a master (or mistress) of any skill in the world, which skill would you pick? Shouldn’t bloggers obviously pick the obvious? Writing, right? Only… ANY skill in the world. Mine. And not just the sort that I can sort of do and not wholly embarrass myself. I … Continue reading →

Weekends

I like the way British people use a particular four-letter word with reckless abandon. I like Saturday morning coffee better than all the other days’ coffee. I like my dog’s ears, flapping about in a brisk wind. I like choosing to stop watching a movie that clearly won’t make sense even if I watch it … Continue reading →

DP: High Plains & Wheat Fields — A Thirst Unquenched

Today’s prompt stirs a rare longing for home — the place of my growing up. Soon after I created commonchapters, I shared a piece I’d written about my dad, a high plains wheat farmer who worked the soil, prayed for rain, and loved his family. The prompt for today reminds me of him. Reminds me “Where … Continue reading →

DP: I’m Hell in a Crisis

The Daily Post directs: Honestly evaluate the way you respond to crisis situations. Are you happy with the way you react? I am hell in a crisis. I don’t mean that I am startlingly strong under pressure, a port in a storm, a rock of reliability. I mean that I absolutely panic in crisis moments. … Continue reading →

You’re Never Too Old or Learned Enough

Do you love it when you come across something new?  So good. For instance, I just discovered a new term. Aubade. Merely pronouncing it reveals my ignorance. Rather than ringing forth with confidence, the word halts for a brief moment before it ventures out, uncertain of its surroundings, having never occupied the air surrounding my head. … Continue reading →

DP: Religion & Politics — Who CAN we talk to?

“It’s never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don’t really know.” Agree or disagree? Like discussing religion or politics with people you do know is a real party? Like discussing religion or politics with people you do know well (and therefore increasing the likelihood that the beliefs under discussion are … Continue reading →

I’m an English Teacher, and I’m Here to Help

I have a friend (trying to decide if I use the termly loosely) who considers himself a bit of a grammarian.His consideration is well-founded. (Dangit!) A few months ago, I too hastily posted an entry here at commonchapters that contained a typo. Of course the link to the entry goes immediately to Twitter. Of course my … Continue reading →