Essays that first appeared in Notes From Toad Hall.
Hospitality Notes
When we share our home, our table, our lives, things happen that play into all dimensions. I am inspired by the connections between the ordinary and the sacred. As we welcome others into a safe place, things we can’t necessarily see or touch, lap at the spiritual, connecting hearts and minds in ways that tell [...]
Wooden Clocks and Tiny Silver Balls
Say it. Say “I love you” to your grandparents before it’s too late.
Surprised by Age
Surprised by faith that is not sentimental and saccharine, but strong, sweet, and rooted in creation.
Notes From Toad Hall 2012 Gift List
Margie has a tradition of collecting a list of her favorite reads, music and other treasures over the past year and offers them to you again this season. Enjoy!
Fleeting
When the fleeting nature of life unexpectedly confronts us, the questions raised can be depressing or even frightening. However, God knows we don’t like being compared to flowers – here-today-gone-tomorrow – and points us toward a deeper understanding of life and death where he comforts and heartens us through his word.
Reclaiming Toothpaste
“Dude!! You need to chill!” I don’t ordinarily talk like this, calling someone “Dude.” It’s pretentious for a woman my age. But it seemed appropriate at the time. I had to shout to get Denis’ attention because he was flipping out.
Pearl Blue
My niece, Stephanie, is only eighteen but so far in her short driving life she has wrecked eight cars. (Not all were her fault.) Her father, who has the patience of St. Francis but is a lot funnier, beat us to the purchase of a new car. He’d never owned a new one either. His [...]
On Being Slow
Nearly every day I shower like this, unless I stop to consider otherwise: I imagine it’s a race to get in and get out before that very important phone call that will change my life. It’s coming. It’s nearly here. You can’t waste precious moments staring into space as you allow the warm water to [...]
Comfort Ye My People: A Solace for Any Man’s Heart
I recently read about a man who was sent to Indonesia with his family to live and work for a global corporation. He had a lively interest in natural history, so in addition to his regular employment, he began describing and drawing the island’s plants. Having learned much about the flora from local people, he [...]
The Snowman in the Basement
This time of year it’s daily: suppressed panic about what to give family and friends for Christmas – it needs to be something extremely thoughtful and not too expensive if new, ingeniously re-purposed if picked up in the alley, and not too cheesy if hand-made. Guys are especially tricky. I admire friends who have the [...]
