I’ve never been one for malls, even when malls were a thing. The florescent lights and the muzak make me twitchy after a time. I get weary of window shopping for things I cannot afford. And retailers know that you only think that blouse looks cute because the way it is placed next to their …
I was recently sitting at a party attended by mostly homeschooling moms and their children–a delightful and smart group of women who talked about everything from the best pedagogy to teach children ancient languages to politics and the economy. Most in the group, like myself, own older homes in rural Maine, which means the list …
(This post contains affiliate links.) I have a little book club of Catholic women, mostly moms, and we take turns choosing the books. The taking turns was a concession, because let’s be real. I started the book club so all my friends would read my favorite books and then we could yap about them over …
The season is changing. This most golden of summers is relinquishing it’s mesmerizing hold and giving way to Autumn. It’s time. This Autumn I will hurry less and putter more. Tidying up here, washing up there, setting late blooms in vases, and diffusing bergamot and clove. The to-do list can die its long slow death. …
March is a weird month for me every year and I always forget that until I am midway through March and wondering what the hell is going on. It’s like getting little whiffs of something that you can’t quite put your finger on. Yesterday, with the month nearly over, it occurred to me why I …
Today is my birthday. I slept in and as my awareness slowly returned to me around 9am, there were tears in my eyes. I’m so grateful to be 46. I’m still here. Not only that, I’m happy. I like my life. That is the craziness thing I’ve ever heard, honestly and I never would have …
When I’m sitting by my very own fire, reading the newspaper, and sipping cardamom coffee, I often feel heavy hearted. The news is so disheartening and if I let it go too deeply it can make me despondent. When I close the paper I want to gather my loved ones close and squeeze them tightly. …
“Hi, my name is Daja and I’m a recovering People Pleaser.” (Your part is “Hi Daja!” enthusiastically so I know you’re not mad at me.) Sad Divorced Woman I remember when I had to go to court for my divorce to be finalized. I stared into my closet. What would be the last thing I …
“Mary does not come into prominence for her own sake, but for that of her Son. Her human likeness and its psychological details is inaccessible to every historic-critical method, to the most understanding interpretation, even to the most ardent love. It rests veiled in the mystery of God… it is veiled, however, for the express …
I’ve been working through Jordan Peterson’s Self-Authoring program as a Lenten exercise. It’s been difficult at points—especially deeply examining the past. But overwhelmingly positive. When taking an honest look at my faults and virtues, I realized something rather important; that is that I am happier than I thought I was. I know, so weird, right? …
reconciling things 