Y'all. I was in the process of creating a Substack, and it was going to be awesome. Here was the About page: What This Is (and Isn’t) I’m starting a PhD in English at the University of Tennessee. Our youngest daughter has just graduated from high school, so I have enough furniture packed for a two-bedroom apartment, and I couldn’t tell you if I am stepping up or … [Read more...] about The Second Charcoal Fire
The Second Charcoal Fire
My Highlander Prayer
I intended to write about last Friday last weekend when the wound was still open and fresh. Of course, that is far too dramatic for what actually happened. Instead, life life-ed, and I didn’t get around to it. The whole thing tidied itself by Monday afternoon at 12:43. I think this timing is (as usual) better than my timing. It is my goal to share as much of my shame in my … [Read more...] about My Highlander Prayer
Living the Fiat with Curiosity, Humility, and Kindness
I had a moment yesterday while in prayer right before Mass. That sounds way more pious than it actually is, but I am attempting to get comfortable using language in public that I use with myself in private. So, anyway, I had this moment and now I am here at the keyboard to noodle it out. Let's see what happens. Every year I pick a word. Many people engage in this practice. … [Read more...] about Living the Fiat with Curiosity, Humility, and Kindness
Just Do What You Are Good At
Just do what you are good at. These are the words I heard while preparing for Mass this morning. It is that time of the year when folks wonder, “What do I take from the last year,” and “What do I leave behind?” I am still not certain which of those choices I consider most important. Both, I suppose. But as I move through what it means to be committed to living a life … [Read more...] about Just Do What You Are Good At
Asinine, Journey, Crazy, or Truth
Seventeen years, give or take, whether or not you count MySpace. Seventeen years, depending on if you count those years where I couldn’t—didn’t. Seventeen years. I have been writing words and pushing publish for seventeen years. Depending on how you calculate these kinds of things, a person could call it an asinine waste of time or the greatest journey ever. I … [Read more...] about Asinine, Journey, Crazy, or Truth