Karen, these pictures are stunning! Thanks for sharing them with us. Now, I understand more about how dearly you cherish and enjoy your home! It looks like Eden.
I am so glad you have it after all you have gone through and that is giving you a new sense of joy. I used to live in Charlottesville and had a good friend in Culpepper. I drove on 29 often and especially loved it in the springtime!
I am very thankful for you, Karen. I clicked on the link to Beowulf Week 1; I had not been following you at that time (I think I read a book of yours, then you touched on Donne and some other favorites and, like that, you had another student! Something like that). I was able to enjoy Beowulf in Seamus Heaney's translation a number of years ago and now I look forward to reading it again along with your posts.
Your delightful narrative of what sounds like a truly nourishing week made the joy that you experienced contagious. Reminds me of "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Please be assured that all of your posts are edifying and inspiring us. I am going to see Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe performed by the Boulder Shakespeare theater this summer and would have not had the courage or curiosity, to take that on but for your posts on Dr. Faustus last year!
I had just started Pilgrim's Progress a few weeks ago so I am delighted that it is the next book we will all be reading through! I'm looking forward to spending a little more time on this book as I can see how many nuggets are in the pages. As I'm about to go out on maternity leave as well it will be wonderful to have some mental stimulation through keeping up with the reading!
Your joy is contagious. It helps so much to hear about the healing you have experienced (and the honesty that nightmares can still happen). Beauty is a powerful antidote to the darkness.
I was at HopeWords last year (with our mutual friend, Rachael) and sad I couldn't be there this time! But seasons and journeys are what they are. I'm looking forward to Pilgrim's Progress. My husband is reading it right now having asked me a few weeks ago if I had a copy of it. Well, yes, I did! He is not a reader but has fond memories of it from when he was young. It will be fun to discuss with him.
Thank you so much for sharing this - I'm having a hard week, and it brightened my day to hear about yours and to be reminded of how God creates beauty from ashes.
Thank you for this beautiful summary and update. I was also at HopeWords, and found it to be a relaxed and blessed reprieve. I wish I had started reading your newsletter earlier, because I wouldn't have felt quite so alone in the world. Cheers to you finding many beautiful weeks in the future--from another no-longer-academic who chucked it all this year and is just coming out of the liminal space of confusion, realizing that it is the lies and confusion I needed a reprieve from. The liminal space is just fine.
This was an earlier week before HopeWords, but I so relished my time there as well! I’m glad you came and enjoyed it. And glad we found each other here!
Liminal space is right. May it be a good space for you during this time.
Thank you! I love the Simone Weil quote you've been including at the bottom of your Substack. May our new, good spaces foster such unmixed attention and, therefore, prayer.
Oh wow. Yes. So much resonates here. Today, this line in particular: "God has removed you from a table where you used to sit … in order to save you from a host that was serving you poison.” Remarkably similar to the sentiment rolling around my head these days but stated better!
What a journey—some difficult and some beautiful. Thank you for sharing, especially the church portion—it fills my heart with joy for you. You have a beautiful property; I always enjoy seeing your pictures of it (and the dogs). I hope for many good weeks to come for you.
Karen, the pictures are beautiful, and I'm so glad your week was too.
I'm sorry, I don't think I'll be able to join you tomorrow. I've just had to replace both my computer and my phone. I'd had my computer for nine years, my phone for six, and I was comfortable with managing technological activities like zoom calls on them. Now everything is uncomfortable again.
Also, my nemesis, asthma, has flared up again. I haven't had such an attack in nearly three years. It reduces me to the condition of a semi-invalid when it gets like this. There is nothing I can do about it but rest and wait.
Thank you, Holly. Nature around here sure is beautiful this time of year.
I’m sorry you can’t make it. We will miss you! But I totally understand. Take care of you and know your contributions here will have you with us in spirit.
Wisteria is my favorite too! I grew up in Virginia so I know of what you speak. It’s been beautiful in NC (where I now live) too. Spring has seemed particularly vibrant this year; perhaps because the winter was so much colder than what we normally have. Hope to join you tomorrow despite not having read Pilgrim’s Progress. 😊
It has been a crisply beautiful spring! Oh, and I do hope you can join us! We are going to debrief on Paradise Lost a bit not Pilgrim’s Progress. That’s up next! But really we can talk about literature and life in general!
Rejoicing with you in this flourishing. So so good!
Thank you, Sandra! Your friendship and support mean a lot.
Karen, these pictures are stunning! Thanks for sharing them with us. Now, I understand more about how dearly you cherish and enjoy your home! It looks like Eden.
I am so thankful for this place. Thank you.
I am so glad you have it after all you have gone through and that is giving you a new sense of joy. I used to live in Charlottesville and had a good friend in Culpepper. I drove on 29 often and especially loved it in the springtime!
Oh, you know my corner of the world well then! I love it so much.
I am very thankful for you, Karen. I clicked on the link to Beowulf Week 1; I had not been following you at that time (I think I read a book of yours, then you touched on Donne and some other favorites and, like that, you had another student! Something like that). I was able to enjoy Beowulf in Seamus Heaney's translation a number of years ago and now I look forward to reading it again along with your posts.
Your delightful narrative of what sounds like a truly nourishing week made the joy that you experienced contagious. Reminds me of "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
See you tomorrow.
Starting my day comforted and encouraged.
Oh, I’m thrilled that you will go back and read the Beowulf series! It’s my hope that all of these posts will serve readers long into the future.
Thank you for your encouragement and support. I’m glad the joy was infectious. 😊
Please be assured that all of your posts are edifying and inspiring us. I am going to see Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe performed by the Boulder Shakespeare theater this summer and would have not had the courage or curiosity, to take that on but for your posts on Dr. Faustus last year!
This is fantastic! Please report back to us on the performance!!!
I had just started Pilgrim's Progress a few weeks ago so I am delighted that it is the next book we will all be reading through! I'm looking forward to spending a little more time on this book as I can see how many nuggets are in the pages. As I'm about to go out on maternity leave as well it will be wonderful to have some mental stimulation through keeping up with the reading!
Oh, such perfect timing! I’m so glad! Can’t wait to read with you and our little community!
Your joy is contagious. It helps so much to hear about the healing you have experienced (and the honesty that nightmares can still happen). Beauty is a powerful antidote to the darkness.
I was at HopeWords last year (with our mutual friend, Rachael) and sad I couldn't be there this time! But seasons and journeys are what they are. I'm looking forward to Pilgrim's Progress. My husband is reading it right now having asked me a few weeks ago if I had a copy of it. Well, yes, I did! He is not a reader but has fond memories of it from when he was young. It will be fun to discuss with him.
Beauty is indeed a powerful antidote to darkness. I love that.
It was such a surprise and delight to see you on the call today!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this - I'm having a hard week, and it brightened my day to hear about yours and to be reminded of how God creates beauty from ashes.
I’m glad it encouraged you, Candace.
Glad you are well! Such beauty, thank you. Christiania’s journey, please.
Your vote has been recorded! 😃
I’m so happy for you and I pray for many more beautiful weeks to come!
Thank you, Virginia! 🤍
Thank you for this beautiful summary and update. I was also at HopeWords, and found it to be a relaxed and blessed reprieve. I wish I had started reading your newsletter earlier, because I wouldn't have felt quite so alone in the world. Cheers to you finding many beautiful weeks in the future--from another no-longer-academic who chucked it all this year and is just coming out of the liminal space of confusion, realizing that it is the lies and confusion I needed a reprieve from. The liminal space is just fine.
This was an earlier week before HopeWords, but I so relished my time there as well! I’m glad you came and enjoyed it. And glad we found each other here!
Liminal space is right. May it be a good space for you during this time.
Thank you! I love the Simone Weil quote you've been including at the bottom of your Substack. May our new, good spaces foster such unmixed attention and, therefore, prayer.
The story behind my inclusion of it is in my first post here!
https://open.substack.com/pub/karenswallowprior/p/i-am-the-prioress-of-my-soul?r=90e4e&utm_medium=ios
Oh wow. Yes. So much resonates here. Today, this line in particular: "God has removed you from a table where you used to sit … in order to save you from a host that was serving you poison.” Remarkably similar to the sentiment rolling around my head these days but stated better!
I haven't written directly about my journey's specifics, but this post is on the topic of healing and releasing into these beautiful new spaces: https://open.substack.com/pub/stephaniewilsey/p/crisis-coping?r=2pjies&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
So delighted to hear this!!
Thank you, friend!
Thank you for sharing this testimony. I look forward to being in a similar place one day.
I pray and hope that for you.
What a journey—some difficult and some beautiful. Thank you for sharing, especially the church portion—it fills my heart with joy for you. You have a beautiful property; I always enjoy seeing your pictures of it (and the dogs). I hope for many good weeks to come for you.
Thank you, Mel. I know you know a good part of this journey and you have had a similar one.
This made my heart so happy for you! Thank you Lord for the redeeming and resurrection work you’re doing in Karen’s life!
I’m thankful to the Lord, too, Sheila!
Karen, the pictures are beautiful, and I'm so glad your week was too.
I'm sorry, I don't think I'll be able to join you tomorrow. I've just had to replace both my computer and my phone. I'd had my computer for nine years, my phone for six, and I was comfortable with managing technological activities like zoom calls on them. Now everything is uncomfortable again.
Also, my nemesis, asthma, has flared up again. I haven't had such an attack in nearly three years. It reduces me to the condition of a semi-invalid when it gets like this. There is nothing I can do about it but rest and wait.
Thank you, Holly. Nature around here sure is beautiful this time of year.
I’m sorry you can’t make it. We will miss you! But I totally understand. Take care of you and know your contributions here will have you with us in spirit.
Beautiful words about a beautiful week! Lovely photos too!
💙
Wisteria is my favorite too! I grew up in Virginia so I know of what you speak. It’s been beautiful in NC (where I now live) too. Spring has seemed particularly vibrant this year; perhaps because the winter was so much colder than what we normally have. Hope to join you tomorrow despite not having read Pilgrim’s Progress. 😊
It has been a crisply beautiful spring! Oh, and I do hope you can join us! We are going to debrief on Paradise Lost a bit not Pilgrim’s Progress. That’s up next! But really we can talk about literature and life in general!