Give thanks

8:45 p.m. Wednesday November 23, 2022. 51F/11C. String. Vehicles heading toward the mountain today all came to a stop with the green pickup truck at the head of it all. Hot asphalt steamed in the dump truck ahead. With twenty minutes to wait for the next move of vehicles, the man in the red SUV

Gift

10 a.m. Tuesday November 22, 2022. 44F/7C. Dowry. If the wealth of the forest was in its trees, then hickory nuts would be hundred dollar bills. Their sweetness is safely hidden within woody chests. It requires a hammer and a pry bar to crack the rock-hard safe. After all that work, they must be checked

He is the God of indescribable joy

11:30 a.m. Monday November 22, 2022. 44F/7C. Amazing. In the early morning, each bird of the hollow found its voice. Except the white-headed, red-tufted woodpecker, who used her drilling beak to take her stand. A steady tap-tap-tap came from the northern cluster of tall trees near the creek. A small white form moved back and

No fear. No guilt. No pain.

2 p.m. Sunday November 20, 2022. 42F/6C. Weary. There is no reason for the golden cat to be fleeing so slowly, unless he tires of acting afraid. He darts under the truck and then comes back out. He watches every daily routine, every chore, and follows from a distance. The sun glares in eyes, forcing

Who knows where the Spirit flows

5 p.m. Saturday November 19, 2022. 42F/6C. Bread. The hollow is not as cold as it has been. The ground is not frozen. Warmth rises from the sandy soil, making the soles of feet warmer than the hands. It is a good sign. With tree tops barren of all leaves, they present a bleak picture

Why.

8:30 a.m. Friday November 18, 2022. 30F/-1C. Inspire. Snow lightly dusts every fallen leaf on the cabin porch. A young golden cat is slow to run from the porch, preferring to watch intently from a warm corner. But soon the sight of a long-handled broom startles the cat into running out of sight. Fine crystals