I live and write on Lingít Aaní, and gratefully acknowledge the past, present and future caretakers of this beautiful place, the Jilkaat Kwaan and Jilkoot Kwaan.
Advent Thought Dec. 12 – Help Angels be Useful

Advent Thought Dec. 12 – Help Angels be Useful

“Even the sun, on earth beneath, turns in space like a gold wreath.” – Paul Engle, from his poem “The Wreath” in A Christmas Feast: Poems, Sayings, Greetings and Wishes. Compiled by Edna Barth On our walk this morning down River Road and more out of the wind than the...
Advent Thought(s) Dec 11– One Person at a Time

Advent Thought(s) Dec 11– One Person at a Time

“Perhaps knowing that you are enough for one person goes a long way.” – In Fredrik Backman’s new novel, My Friends. (He also wrote A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked me to Tell You She’s Sorry– and more.) I did not want to go out into the cold gale of a...
Advent Thought(s) Dec. 10 (A Low-ish Day)

Advent Thought(s) Dec. 10 (A Low-ish Day)

  “It is good just to sit quietly in that place of loss and sadness, and let the feelings be feelings.”—Jeanette Winterson in Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days. I’m half in the middle of unpacking from Tenakee, sorting mail, catching up on...
Advent Thought(s) for Dec. 9 (Sometimes it’s all Good)

Advent Thought(s) for Dec. 9 (Sometimes it’s all Good)

  “Sometimes things don’t go, after all, From bad to worse.” – Sheenagh Pugh The ferry docked close to midnight after a ride that could have been worse, considering the northerly gusts to 65 knots, heavy freezing spray and seas to twelve feet. I took Dramamine...
Advent Thought Dec.8– Holding the Light

Advent Thought Dec.8– Holding the Light

“See how everything we have made gathers the light inside itself and overflows. A blessing.–Stuart Kestenbaum in his poem Holding the Light  in The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal edited by James Crewes. The power went out  in Juneau...
Advent Thought(s) for Dec 7 (& 6) Snowing Kindness

Advent Thought(s) for Dec 7 (& 6) Snowing Kindness

  “Seeing the goodness in someone does not imply ignoring their difficult qualities or unskillful actions. Rather we can fully acknowledge these difficulties while at the same time we choose to focus on the positive.”—Sharon Salzberg in Loving Kindness And, I...