October 23rd 2025 Things I did not know about Taiwan Things I did not know about Taiwan I am writing from Dongue Village in Southern Taiwan. Our little home for the next week is a typical Taiwanese house, snuggled close to the main road, wedged between other houses, townhouse style. We are on the third floor and have a view of the Philippine Sea/Pacific Ocean. It is simple and clean and has everything we need, including a downstairs area to cook. We arrived in persistent rain. I was preparing...

October 21st 2025 Grace finds us Grace finds us Grace meets you right where it finds you, but it does not leave you where it found you. Anne Lamont The thing about despair is that the moment we open ourselves to receiving Grace, Grace will find us. That may be as simple as the sunrise. Or a chat with a seagull. It may be the impulse to get out of bed this morn, when only 4 hours of sleep have been had, because something tells me to be at the beach for the sunrise. It can be a smile from a...

October 19th 2025 On frogs and symbols On frogs and symbols The people in Portland, Oregon, dressed as frogs to protest the military taking to the streets. The frog, a symbol of the 4chan channel—a place that stirs conspiracy and hate—suddenly took on a different life. In the No Kings rallies around America, the frog costume was everywhere, as well as pink hippos and a zoo of cute inflatable animals. Frog suits sold out. From a symbol of hate, the frog has become a symbol of peaceful protest...