A little weepy; it’s warm(ish) again
It seemed as if it would never be warm again. This winter in northwestern Minnesota has been mild by most counts and measures: not very much…
In regard to 2021
In regard to 2021, I’m mostly looking toward its months with hope. I hope for surprises. I hope to be surprised in 2021. That’s it. That’s…
Being okay
“Do I contradict myself?Very well then I contradict myself,(I am large, I contain multitudes.)” ― Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass My mom wore the pastel purple scarf I…
A few instances of not understanding
I ordered a new bed a few weeks ago. Before I ordered it, I listened and tried to help my husband as he talked about his…
Our morning prayer
The view is better here. To be fair, it doesn’t take much to beat a white wall. Still, even when the sun rises directly in front…
Unpack the totes
The wind whipped through the street this morning. It persuaded green leaves to leave their lovely aspen tree home and talked down branches. The gusts ushered…
Waiting: a fact of creation
I was standing with my mom, her arms wrapped around me, as we ducked under a tree away from the pea-sized sudden hail that threatened to…
A teacher, the run
Running, especially running hard, requires a sort of submission. You submit your body and mind to the work. You submit to the workout on the schedule.…
Zigzag, huff puff
Seven days ago I was in Colorado looking for signs of elk with my husband. We hiked for six hours. The sweat poured down my arms…
Being loved well
Near the end of my wedding reception, I was walking away from the stage towards the back of the room. It was like most wedding receptions;…
ALEXIS SWENSON 