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Rx for World Weariness: Peace in the Midst of Terrorism, Turmoil and Election Chaos
I don’t know about you, but I have been battling world weariness lately. In the last month or so, I have, via the news, witnessed hundreds killed in horrific attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq where my refugee friends have family members. I’ve seen a horrific attack in France and checked facebook to make sure my niece was safe, sheltering in place in Munich. I’ve seen reports of black men dying at the hands of the police, and policemen ambushed in multiple cities. I’ve watched an attempted coup in the country I called home for twelve years and I’m witnessing a presidential race that reminds me more of an episode of…
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Sit and Brine Awhile
I brine a turkey for Thanksgiving. When the bird sits in a salty, savory water bath overnight, it absorbs the flavors of the brine and the chemical composition of the turkey is changed to make it juicier. Delicious, juicy turkey—what’s not to love? Except when you learn the hard way that all giant brining bags are not created equal, and your bag opens up in the refrigerator, spilling a gallon of brine all over the fridge and the kitchen floor. Which my rock-star husband cleaned up without complaint because he’s just wonderful that way. Our Thanksgiving turkey was still delicious because the remaining brine did its magic on the bottom…
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The Place of Joy
As you read this post, perhaps your turkey is roasting in the oven. Maybe you just finished crimping the edges on your grandma’s apple pie. Perhaps you’ll whip potatoes into pillow-y clouds just before guests arrive. Today our bustle embodies all the feelings of fall. Our full schedules and full tables leave us feeling festive and sometimes a little frazzled too. Amidst all the gatherings and baked goods, it’s easy to forget what truly gives us joy. When life turns busy and my turkey nearly burns, I start scrambling from one thing to the next—often shuffling others out of the kitchen and shutting them out of my schedule. Without even…
