2022 Intermezzo

2022 ended up defining Shadow Year for me: going quiet, masticating some personal demons, focusing on things I could affect, and leaving to others the things over which I have no control. It was a needed fallow time in terms of public-facing writing. I just wish I had recognized it as such.

New Incarnation of Altars

Thank you again for joining us for a brand new episode of “This Old Altar,” with your host, Bob Vila! Er wait, that’s not quite right…let’s try this again: When I moved into my neighbor’s house last year, it was probably one of the best decisions I could have made during the divorce process. I loved living with B. and […]

Kitchen Witchery: Mirror, Mirror

I was fortunate enough to find this lovely old mirror in the thrift store for six dollars. I figured with a little bit of elbow grease and some homemade furniture polish it would brighten up in no time. Apparently, homemade furniture polish is only slightly different from homemade salad dressing: vinegar, oil, and lemon juice. There […]

Best News I’ve Had All Week

That would be this article in the Worcester Telegram. As I mentioned back in October of last year, the original plan would have put a 12″ gas pipeline through some of the conservation land in our town. The gas would not have been available to residents, and there was a significant risk to the land and wildlife […]

Conversations with a Water Wight

… What? This pond… What about it? There’s no fish. Well, that’s because it’s not actually supposed to be full of water. It’s supposed to drain, but there’s too much silt in the soil to let the water escape. … I can’t fish here. Fine. We’ll head down to the brook next time. Good. I’m […]