It's been a roller coaster few weeks around here, and while I knew it would be, it didn't make the climbs and drops any easier.
In short, we left Wyoming a few weeks ago, with three horses, two dogs, a loaded truck and trailer and a camper. We set the circus down in Central New Mexico, where Sam's taking on a new ranch.
You can't believe the space out here. The vastness. The stars at night. It's so dark and silent you can almost hear the music of the spheres.
Here's some exciting news.
The manuscript I wrote this summer, Death to Sparkleprincess: A Beginners Guide to Midlife, Faith and Meaningful Work, is now in the hands of an editor.
I can't believe I did it. Finally, after all these years saying I was going to.
And I'm surprised how anti-climactic it feels. I didn't know how it would feel exactly, maybe louder, more frantic - but that's not my jam these days. It's more of a calm delight - proud too, I suppose. I'm sure when things like typsetting and cover design begin, there will be much bigger feels.
Look out for it Spring 2026.
A creativity reminder
Nine-time Grammy winning record producer Rick Rubin knows something about creating good art. Like how the artist must make a practice of not second guessing herself or caring too much what the market thinks.
"We don't make these things for an outcome," Rubin says. "that's not the mindset to make something great...It's a devotional practice and whatever happens after that, happens."
Maybe stick that one on your bathroom mirror.
If you're feeling heavy or dark
I saw an old clip from Dr. Tim Keller this week. When I feel fear about anything, my mind drifts back to it.
Dr. Keller, who passed away a few years ago, was a lifelong Presbyterian Minister, a theologian and a logician who founded a thriving network of churches in New York City when people said that couldn't be done. His book The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism probably saved my faith.
Here's the clip I watched this week that felt steadying to me.
I'm proud of the 7 million of us...
Who turned out on Saturday to protest our feckless, reckless leadership. Watching excavators tear off the east wing of the White House to build a $200 million vanity project is probably the least important of the violations our Republic is experiencing, but also a pretty good metaphor for this adminstration in general.
If saying that makes you want to unsubscribe, the button is at the bottom.
I would have been there myself, but I was here trailing cattle and breathing, trusting what Dr. Keller said is the most true thing. This will all be redeemed, but in the meantime we do have work to do, and I will obey the God of Jacob.
Have a great week.
Maybe make a point to love and serve someone else this week. Go make some art you care about.
Put yourself play in God's kingdom and see what happens. Let me know how it goes.
