Our Table

I used to enjoy sitting at our table, watching you eat, 
watching you enjoy your food, every bite you took.
You didn't know but I watched as we talked.
Sweet potatoes, salads, stir-fry, spiced by ear,  
your tiny hands, nourishing yourself with food I prepared,
bought with the fruits of my labor.
I watched you enjoy every bite, each an infusion,
my love for you diffusing into you, 
spoons full of love. A portion of my vow,
what spring does with the cherry trees, but more,
It was one way that I just knew. 

A Brief Thought on Love and Heartbreak

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Let us forget with generosity, those who cannot love us. – Pablo Neruda

My Mailbag: Come Away With Me

In which I am alleged to have pissed all over someone’s life-sustaining memories. 

When A Christian Punk Rocker Leaves Christianity with Ojo Taylor

A few weeks ago I had an interesting conversation with Steve Hackman for his podcast series, Beyond the Pale.  Steve identifies as a Christian, although certainly not your garden variety Evangelical, with open, inclusive, thoughtful questions.

The Opposite of Faith Is…

This meme posted by the United Church of Christ, based on a quote by Elie Wiesel (US News & World Report, October 27, 1986) has shown up in a few news feed posts of late. The complete quote:

Revised YMCA Mission Statement

I love the YMCA. I love supporting them and their commitments to fitness, healthy living and social responsibility.They do great work. I used to enroll my kids in many of their programs. It is a Christian organization and yet it is inclusive with regard to sexual orientation and also actively cultivates diversity. I travel often and I almost always grab a temporary membership wherever I go so I don’t have to interrupt my workout routine. I am working out at the Y just outside of Portland, Oregon this week and they have little posters all around the place that put forth their vision and mission statements. 

Five Things I’m Grateful For

I never play well with these viral Facebook things, but when my daughter tags me and when it’s about gratitude, well, I simply must relent. It comes at a fertile time too,

Six Things I Learned While Hiking Waterfalls

Dark Hollow Falls

Having just returned to Virginia from Phoenix, and perhaps because I was missing the Pacific ocean this summer, I found myself pining for water. With nothing pressing on my schedule I decided to spend the weekend hiking some of the waterfall trails in the Shenandoah National Park.  

Love, Not Religion, Is the Big Umbrella

The Pope made quite a stir last week when he said that even atheists are redeemed and can meet Catholics on the bridge of good works and love. To a former Catholic like me 

My Talk at the 2011 FFRF Convention

Last month the Freedom From Religion Foundation put a printed edition of my presentation at their annual convention in Hartford, CT in their newsletter.  For those who are not members and who do not have access to the newsletter (which alone is worth the price of membership in the organization) the printed transcription is now available on their website here.