Winter storms keep Franny away from Pine Street for Thanksgiving; she and Leo settle for a long phone call, one that brings a surprise.
gratitude
Our memories of this time
This weekend in the United States, we take an extra day off work to honor those who died in military service. "Memorial" - the name calls out our intention to use our memories in this way. Memory looks backward, brings the past into the present, brings those lost into our immediate awareness, and makes them … Continue reading Our memories of this time
Vote your gratitude
Voting is one of the most important responsibilities and privileges of our democracy. And this November, we experience one of the most important elections of our lives. Please vote. My wish for you as you complete your ballot, place it in a mailbox or drop box, or go to your polling place, is that you … Continue reading Vote your gratitude
Day of Remembering
Some thoughts on Memorial Day, service, loss, and peace.
Merry merry happy happy
Celebrate well, be well, love others, and yourself.
A Thanksgiving Top Ten
This is less a “top” ten list, and more a “random” ten list. Who could put gratitude in any rational order, anyway? Stories - the infinite number of stories to be told. Or maybe there is only one real story, but an infinite variety of ways to tell it. Either way, the well of stories never runs … Continue reading A Thanksgiving Top Ten
Remember
This is not an original idea, but it is worth sharing. Remember that life can change in a day, an hour, a moment, a heartbeat. Remember to say "I love you" when you part. And when you reunite. Remember those two- and four-legged heroes who ran toward the disaster we recall today, and remember to … Continue reading Remember
Memorial Day
The power of story: In thanks to Maya Angelou
You, Jane releases next week, a story about the power of storytelling. Not just to reflect reality, but to create it, in all its glorious havoc and wicked humor. Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is one of the first books I can remember reading that had the same effect. I think I … Continue reading The power of story: In thanks to Maya Angelou
To be full of thanks
Do you think it is a coincidence that we eat ourselves silly on the holiday devoted to gratitude? Or perhaps, as we strive to be full of thanks, we decide to settle for being full of mashed potatoes. (I'm not complaining. I love mashed potatoes, and mine are simmering on my stove as I write … Continue reading To be full of thanks
Elizabeth Fountain, Author 