ALL means ALL!

I recently saw an article of clothing worn by an older gentleman that read “I miss the America I grew up in.” And since I am not the kind to be confrontational, especially to strangers, I did not ask what America he misses. Does he miss the America where women were not able to open […]

Postlude (The Magician – The Final Chapter)

This is the twentieth-fifth and FINAL chapter of the serialization novel I was working on, The Magician – < click here to read the other chapters if you missed them or have no idea what this story is about. Postlude The gilded opera house was once again filled with spectators, buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The […]

Be amazed and perplexed

This past Sunday was Pentecost, traditionally considered the birthday of the Christian church. For those who have heard the story countless times, it’s the day the Bible states the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and they were given the ability to declare the “good news” to those gathered in the area in any language. […]

Reconciliation (The Magician – Chapter Twenty-Four)

This is the twentieth-fourth chapter of the serialization novel I am working on, The Magician – < click here to read the other chapters if you missed them or have no idea what this story is about. Reconciliation Vanessa collapsed on the sidewalk, utterly spent from the tremendous amount of magic she had just exerted.  […]

Sometimes, you just feel like throwing in the towel

Thursdays are usually my days for writing what I call my “sermon reflections.” Those blog posts, often filed under “church topics,” are my takes on the sermons that are preached at the little church I attend in my tiny swath of the Midwest. But this past Sunday, while I attended church, I was also feeling […]

Treachery (The Magician – Chapter Twenty-Three)

This is the twenty-third chapter of the serialization novel I am working on, The Magician – < click here to read the other chapters if you missed them or have no idea what this story is about. Treachery Swayed by the persuading of Evelyn to give Ignace a second chance, the collective Tamberlane, Rankin and […]

April has been a crazy month… so far

I’m writing this as I have said goodbye to an out-of-town friend who has visited for the last few days. As I pack away the air mattress and wash the sheets and towels, there’s a certain sadness to saying goodbye. As I clean the kitchen, I know I will miss my friend until he plans […]

Disoriented (The Magician – Chapter Twenty-Two)

This is the twenty-second chapter of the serialization novel I am working on, The Magician – < click here to read the other chapters if you missed them or have no idea what this story is about. Disoriented Ignace woke in a hospital bed, hooked up to a number of machines, tethered with cords to […]

An Eclipse and a Basketball Game

The past couple of weeks there have been two major events in my little swath of the Midwest, both of which brought many together in unity. The first one was the women’s NCAA basketball tournament, when the University of Iowa team went all the way to the championship game. And while Caitlin Clark and the […]

What sound does hope make when it dies?

Does anyone else remember those “magic eye” books and posters? The ones that, if you stared long enough or used a certain position to view it, you could see whatever picture was hidden behind the abstract design. They were quite popular when I was younger. Can I let you in on a secret? Though sometimes […]