Thoughts on God and life – Snark on the Side

Gratuitous

There are a lot of people seeing red these days. Apart from the ugliness in the news, I seem to be allergic to my house—either that, or my frustration with politics is literally beginning to change my eye color. It’s not a fun situation, and it may require me to move yet again if it doesn’tContinue reading “Gratuitous”

This is how the world ends…

At least, in my mind, it looks something like this. Then again, very few people would trust my mind as an expert witness. Their loss. 🙂

I Lied About the Vertigo

Road trips abound in opportunities to contemplate identity. The right music helps: Antje Duvekot’s “Vertigo”, John Gorka’s “Broken Place,” and Sarah Jarosz’s “Edge of a Dream.” “oh the view from this heighthigh above the ferriswheel lightsmight cause me to swaybut i am teaching myself to be brave” “That beautiful broken place you could not outshineContinue reading “I Lied About the Vertigo”

Out of Rhythm

Every small town has its flavor, points of interest, rhythm of life. Even a corner gas station, linked to a major national chain, evinces this fact. Whether it’s the two-for-three dollars sale on two-liter cokes, the individually plastic-wrapped chocolate bars on discount at the counter, or the few endlessly hamster-wheeling hot dogs at the grillContinue reading “Out of Rhythm”

Hope Springs

I don’t know why, but as I went on my weekly walk this morning, my vision was clearer and more attentive than usual. Maybe it was the sharpness of the air, reminding me that this is March, not June. Perhaps it was the profusion of natural color. (We associate spring with pastels, but these colorsContinue reading “Hope Springs”

The Rest is Silence

One of the pitfalls of working from home is the challenge of resting. I’m not talking about unexpected fall-asleep-at-the-table-and-drool-on-your-laptop resting (not that I’ve ever done that) — I’m talking about intentional, waking rest. Although I did cheat and do some work this morning, I spent an entire afternoon resting. I read a book (Her FearfulContinue reading “The Rest is Silence”

My Least Favorite Word

You know how some people have these little habits that just get you down? Like Bernie… Well, sort of like Bernie. You know how some people have those little words that just get them down? I’m one of those people. There are a few words that really make me cringe every time I hear them.Continue reading “My Least Favorite Word”

It Became Spring!

(while I was inside writing my thesis.) But it’s beautiful. Baby Marigolds!!!

Not Just Me Anymore

Well, it’s happened. After twenty-plus years of questions about “anyone special?”, I’ve finally found myself in a relationship.** Sad to say, it’s not been a healthy one. In fact, it’s decidedly problematic. But at least I’ve reached the point when I can finally admit it. I, Jen, am in a very unhealthy relationship with thisContinue reading “Not Just Me Anymore”

Fall is in the Air

Whether fall break means a week of sleeping until noon or one afternoon of not working and only writing two pages on an imminently due paper, it’s that time of year for [graduate] students. Fall break starts with a great word: fall. I tend to repeat myself to the point of excess when I startContinue reading “Fall is in the Air”