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Easter Sunday
The sun will set in a little while, and another holy day will be memory and history. We sat outside as much as we could today, but the brisk breeze kept forcing us to retreat inside. Sitting directly in the sun helped a bit, but it was still chilly, so we didn’t get as many outdoor hours as we had hoped. The dogs romped and rolled in the grass, and the birds were so numerous and so active, we were in awe. We watched all day for a hummingbird — a year ago today, we got our first hummingbird of the spring –but none ever appeared. We had a fine…
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The Fourth Sunday of Advent
This past week the weather was so warm it felt like May. The spotted dogs and I had the opportunity to take many pleasant walks, and I felt as if my body and soul were being scrubbed by the clean air I drew deeply into my lungs. I spent much of the week pondering my gratitude for my health and that of Mrs. Orr and all of our family. More than ever, I believe it’s important to stay out of the hospital and far from health care facilities if at all possible. Once again, I will refer you to the indefatigable Anne Barnhardt. One of her recent podcasts featuring an…
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Happy Thanksgiving
From the Orrs….Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Consider your blessings, and gird yourselves for the days ahead. ~ S.K. Orr
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Happy Birthday, Mrs. Orr
Happy Birthday to the love of my life, who is the best and kindest and most virtuous human being I have ever known. The two of us spent the day doing exactly what we wanted, and it was fine. I even got some country ham out of the deal… As the day ends, I am aware of all that I have, of all that has been given me. I love you, Mrs. Orr. Happy Birthday to my little Texas girl. ~ S.K. Orr
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CLXIII
Today marks 163 years since a young peasant girl, removing her stockings while preparing to wade into a stream in Lourdes, France, was visited for the first of several times by the Blessed Virgin Mary. I have long been fascinated by the story of St. Bernadette, one of the two young French maidens who have figured so large in my spiritual life, the other being Saint Joan of Arc, for whom I have a special and intense devotion. When I was a little boy, I watched the old black & white movie, The Song of Bernadette, on television with my mother. I was quite bored with the movie, except for…
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Easter, A.D. 2020
Easter, A.D. 2020 So this is what legacy looks like The offspring of those who raised hymns while lions Tore their holy flesh now cower within Their antiseptic catacombs, heroes Devouring the crumbs of Nero’s hourly updates. Will they write epistles on toilet paper? Will they anoint themselves with hand sanitizer? They may as well — such empty sacramentals Well depict the razed rubble of faith. ~ S.K. Orr
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New Year, New Decade, New Day
My mother used to say that whatever a person does on New Year’s Day will indicate what that person will be doing for the rest of the year. Mindful of her words, I have all my life avoided doing things like laundry, paying bills, or coming within aural distance of zydeco music on the first day of January. If today is any indication of my coming year, I will be living like a kaiser. We slept in after falling asleep last night in front of a mellow fire in the stove, arose in good health and spirits, and feasted, thanks to Mrs. Orr, on a regal brunch of eggs and…