Home & Family
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Book banning
“Ideas are only lethal if you suppress and don’t discuss them. Ignorance is not bliss, it’s stupid. Banning books shows you don’t trust your kids to think and you don’t trust yourself to be able to talk to them.” ~Anna Quindlen Throughout my career, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching workshops at my local libraries. Before my classes start, I always take a moment to browse the shelves and absorb the ambiance created by so many literary choices. And sometimes I think about the consequences of book banning. As my mother used to say, you can make just about anything twice as attractive or interesting by declaring it “off limits.”…
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Domestic arts
“I no longer call such tasks ‘housework.’ I call them the ‘domestic arts,’ paying attention to all the ways they return me to my senses.” ~Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith I’d be lying if I told you that I always enjoy housework. But when everything else feels chaotic or out of control, I find comfort and satisfaction in taking care of my home. I can’t change the world, but I can organize my kitchen drawers and plant my garden. One of many things I’ve admired about Martha Stewart is how she elevates house and garden care to an art form. Along these lines, Episcopal…
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Everyday luxuries
“Using fine china, updating bedclothes to something ultra-soft and cozy, framing a favorite photo, or polishing a cherished piece of silver fosters such delight. And it doesn’t have to break your back or the bank.” ~Cheryl Richardson A few years ago, I decided to start using a set of my “good dishes” every day. The set isn’t particularly fine, but it includes several sturdy serving pieces, mixing bowls, and accessories. Most were stored in our basement — until we hosted company for dinner. To make room for the whole set in the kitchen, I sold my old set of everyday dishes in a garage sale. Using my favorite dishes elevates…
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Open-hearted love
“We really have to understand the people we want to love. If our love is only a will to possess, it is not love. If we only think of ourselves, if we know only our own needs and ignore the needs of the other person, we cannot love.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step February is the month for posting thoughts about love. But I like to think of “love” as an all-encompassing word that wraps its meaning around more than romantic relationships. Love is the umbrella that shelters friendship and community. When we love our friends and neighbors, we want what’s best for them — not just ourselves.…
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Chaos? Bring it on!
“If chaos is a necessary step in the organization of one’s universe, then I was well on my way.” ~Wendelin Van Draanen Talk about chaos? Nearly every room in our house is being repainted, which means we’re living in a state of perpetual disorder. Following the schedule of our painters, we’ve been moving all of our stuff — including furniture — from room to room for the past two weeks. Last week, our living room looked like a ransacked junk shop while the painters worked in the dining room and kitchen. But after years of living through various home improvement projects (see page 14 in my book, Writing Home), I’ve…
