Blog

I think of it as my mountain, but the truth is that I do not own it. In fact, it doesn’t “belong” to me at all. For the past six years I’ve simply been blessed by the privilege of sharing it with the creatures who live here. Sauntering through this sacred place has...

This is Father’s Day, and I am a father, so today is officially a day for me to celebrate. My status as a father is not based in biology. None of the women with whom I am connected in a fatherly way are biologically related to me. And, at least as far as I’m...

Today I had the privilege of participating in a graveside funeral service for Indigent and Abandoned Persons of Lewis and Clark County. Eleven individuals (ten men and one woman) were honored. Various members of the community participated, sharing readings and then...

Grief is a funny thing! Not funny in a ha-ha sort of sense, but in a peculiar sort of sense. It gets talked about as if it's linear, with stages and progression and some semblance of order. Which is, of course, nothing like what actually happens. First of all, no...

A friend’s mother just died unexpectedly, and he observed that it took several days for him to even begin to find words to start talking about it. That brought to mind my own experience just before and after Veronica died. For me, it wasn't words, but photos. There...

the challenge is to stay present (which is, of course, always the challenge) - today what tempts me away from this worthy goal is the finish line, which is almost in sight - 80 days from now a new chapter begins - but that day is not today - on this day I am still...

This week I informed my congregation that I intend to retire effective July 1, 2021. I am about to step into the next chapter of my life. I’m still working on wrapping my head around it, but I’m very excited. Here is the letter I sent to my congregation . . . - - -...

Most mornings I make myself a smoothie for breakfast. I put lots (no, really – LOTS) of things in my smoothies – at least five kinds of fruit, assorted greens, various other stuff. And when it’s all blended and I’m drinking it, I can’t identify the flavor of any...

There is no such thing      as perfectAll there is      is this . . .     this moment     this place      this situation      this meIf I can     manage to . . .      be here     be present      be myselfIt is     enoughAnd when I     pay attention     and...

About twice a year it is my turn to write an article for the Religion Page of our local newspaper (the Helena Independent Record). This is my most recent contribution . . . • • • • • In these opening days of this new year, I find myself reflecting on endings and...