On my bookshelf

There in the darkness they were quiet for a while, and then he said, "I guess I've had my time of suffering. Not so much by Ezekiel's standards. And there might be more to come. At my age, I'm sure there is. But at least I've had enough of it by now to know that this is grace." His arm was across the back of the couch behind her, and he touched her hair.

Marilynne Robinson, Lila

Isle of Skye | July 2017

I've just finished reading Lila, one of three books in Marilynne Robinson's saga about a little town in middle America called Gilead. It's hard to put into words the impression the book has made on me, but it's got me thinking more deeply about a number of things: the importance of names, shame, loneliness, grace, the beauty and mystery in ordinary life, and the many different kinds of love people show to each other -- including the fact that human love can sometimes be what helps us to come to understand divine love. The beauty of Marilynne Robinson as an author is that she can do all this and more while telling a compelling, sometimes difficult, story, and writing glorious, lyrical prose. Stop what you're doing and read it now, if you possibly can.

Lecce | Italy

It's been a shockingly long time since I've posted anything. So here, for your viewing pleasure, are some pictures of a brief but lovely weekend in the very south of Italy with my dear friend Debs.

Central square

Possibly the prettiest tourist information point I've ever seen.

The colour of that stone, though!

Of course we peeked in at the wedding.

On our way to Gallipoli (not the famous one, but lovely!).

Lots of graffiti -- and my finger in the corner of the shot.

Gallipoli

My affection for lighthouses continues.

So glad Debs decided to organise a (for her) post-exam holiday -- and to invite me along!

Such a lovely meal looking out over the sea!

Couldn't decide which was my favourite!

Cutest old men weaving baskets!

Back in Lecce.

Sunday people watching in the park.

A'Roma -- beautiful food!

When in Lecce...

2016: A year in the life

And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
John 1:16

2016 more or less began in London. Hard to believe, but this was the view on my run to work (don't worry, I didn't run every day, or even every week!).

After my internship in London, I took some time to travel. One of the best decisions I made was to take the TRAIN from London to Portugal! This was my (ca. 1970?) sleeper.

It was great to spend some time alone, but so much better then to meet up with wonderful friends, such as Camilla (in Lisbon/Lisboa).

Chelsey (and I) exploring in Lisbon!

Debs and I enjoyed a spring(ish) weekend in Barcelona.

Then back to London, and a day at the races in Windsor with two lovely colleagues, Evangeline and Alice!

Erin (one of my university friends) and I spent some time exploring France, and ended up on the Med!

Stevie graduated from high school -- and managed to perform a violin piece and give a great speech, despite a fever.

Some of my oldest friends and I had a lovely get together at the Apple Farm Inn in San Luis Obispo.

My cousin Kate and her husband came to visit, and we met up with other family in SLO for drinks.

It's weird that most of us are old enough for this now!

Kara and LeeAnn (East Coast friends and former housemates) came to visit, and I took them to Avila Beach.

Frank and Joey and I took a road trip up the West Coast (best coast) and we stopped to visit Brooke and Levi (former uni friends as well).

We made it to the top of Whistler. Also, best road trip ever.

Then I landed back in London. And Min put up with a very jetlagged Molly!

Debs introduced me to the Green Man Festival in Wales. Gorgeous!

Julia, Sarah, Lucy and I spent a lovely weekend catching up in Cornwall.

I made it to Cambridge, and attended this lovely banquet in Sidney Sussex College.

Tel and Heather got married!

My dear friend Bonnie (from the creative writing MA) and I were reunited.

Chelsey and I explored Grantchester and Grantchester meadows. Also, I saw James Norton IRL and sort of fell in love.

Our beloved Great-uncle Jim died. Nearly 97 years old, both a gentleman and a saint, though he'd be the last one to admit to either.

I got to explore more of Cambridge, thanks to the Festival of Ideas. This is the Mathematical Bridge connecting two parts of Queen's College.

I got to decorate the Round Church's Christmas tree, and basked in the glory of Christmas from mid-November onward :)

Two great friends, Sandra and Chris, got engaged!

My housemates (Maggie, Beth, Angeline and Heather) and I celebrated Christmas a bit early.

Got to ski with these legends (as well as Mom and Dad -- also legendary).

Got to be all seven together again. Ralph and Joey,

Dad and Stevie,

and Mom and Frank (and I).

we.

A glorious winter sunset from the Shell Beach bluffs.