Quarterly & Special Issues
September 19, 2022
Each week, I make a to-do list full of things I need to accomplish on any given day. It could be fun things for the MockingOwl Roost, or maybe a tedious task for work. Whatever it is, it goes on the list. And the list is color-coordinated, with “categories” of life in different colors. For example, my grad school work is in green text, while work tasks are in red.
September 17, 2022
Here at the edge of autumn I like to practice being generous. I read a book that I don’t like just to exercise my manners,
September 16, 2022
Gertrude and Alice were on holiday in Tuscany. They wandered away from their Golden Tour Group and came upon a strange tree with a single red shiny apple on the topmost branch. They each climbed as fast as they could to see who could get to the apple first.
September 12, 2022
You see, writing theology papers isn’t just a school task for me. It’s an exploration of what I’m learning, how I’m growing, how I’m changing, how I’m developing as an adult human. So much of youth was spent regurgitating rote memorization and trying to make a grade. But now, in seminary I’m synthesizing and expanding the knowledge I’m gaining. And it is an utter delight!
September 11, 2022
“I love you and I always will.”
Last words spoken between dearest of friends
parting ways unknown.
Hope lingered therein,
that one day no more need for “always” would come
– only the existence of that fact would overtake
by revisited presence and love.
September 9, 2022
Charlie had been in Vietnam as had Drake. Charlie worked as a cook in the army and Drake operated heavy equipment, so neither of them were ever in real combat, although both had hunkered down at night when there was incoming. Back in the states when they were neighbors, Drake was a road paver for the city of Beaverton, and Charlie had a mobile sawmill, so they had a common blue-collar argot, and this could make them friends…
September 7, 2022
The Making of Biblical Womanhood was a life-changing, life-affirming, ministry-restoring, joy-filling book for me to read.
September 6, 2022
From the visionary leader, flamboyant and irritating at times, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, to the grumbling crew who forged ahead despite the dangers, the losses, and the shipwrecks, you’ll be held captive as I was, by the retelling of their incredible tale of scientific exploration, survival, and personal courage.
September 5, 2022
The elements of freedom
are the words in silence,
they dwell in the mind
of perfect bliss, they love
to rest their spirits
in mother-silence's bosom,
and cannot ever bear
to lose sight of her.
September 3, 2022
The magic was in your words –
mostly foul,
Usually entertaining.
Daddy would shake his head in frustration.
Soft muttering, usually in Italian.
September 2, 2022
Elizabeth Gonzalez James’ modern debut novel, Mona at Sea, is the story of Millenial Mona Morales who has the misfortune of entering the workforce at the height of the 2008 economic crisis. She was top of her class, hard-working, focused, a perfectionist throughout her academic career. She was convinced it would pay off in her dream job and her dream life. Then….well, life happens.
September 2, 2022
We’ve all had moments of wanting to run away. At age 81, Bernice actually does it. Bernice has had her fair share of struggles in life, but overall, has been fairly content with her life in small-town Arkansas, where she was born, raised, and plans to someday die. She receives a rude-awakening when her daughter Sarah decides for Bernice that it’s time to sell everything and move into Sarah’s backyard bungalow in Atlanta. So, she packs her car to the brim with her cat Dolly Parton, essential books, and heads out.
September 1, 2022
Today, we’re thrilled to publish our second special issue of the MockingOwl Roost! This poetry special is dedicated to the stunning artwork and photography and the […]
August 31, 2022
The book is a great choice for folks who have lives like mine: chaotic and busy, with aims of healthier life and running balance. It’s a short, breeze through book that’s about taking a running program with small goals each week to improve that balance and find your center.
August 30, 2022
In remembrance of my beautiful aunt, so young and so lively. Gone too soon. The crusader virus is mercilessly on its conquest,like a swarm of bees […]
August 29, 2022
The album has a mix of moods throughout as you can see, though most of the music lies closer to “chill” than high energy. The album does bounce a bit all over the place – you definitely won’t get bored with it as a whole!
August 27, 2022
August 24, 2022
I got caught up in the storytelling and let Kitty and the Minister lead me through a sleepless night until I finished the book. I pulled an all-nighter because I had to know the outcome of the story, even though I essentially knew the outcome of the story.
August 23, 2022
Walking several times throughout the day helps to de-junk my brain. I can work through the stuff that’s in my head, rattling around. And working through it clears out my thoughts and frees up space for life apart from work.
August 18, 2022
The Gold Persimmon by Lindsay Merbaum is riveting and surreal. At times, I found myself so caught up in the characters' actions that it actually took my breath away, and had me yelling at my Kindle. This book was not what I was expecting from its title.