Leaves and Flowers
We Need to Protect Trans Kids
Sometimes, It’s Helpful to Ask
What’s giving you joy these days, and how do you make more time and space for it?
–Renee Roederer
The Nopelings
Two Scenes:
Last month, a friend had a major repair issue with his apartment, so he and his dog stayed with me for about three weeks. It was fun to have a pupper in the house. And this dog isn’t just any dog. He’s my favorite pup in the whole world. I enjoyed playing with him and receiving snuggles.
Early in his time here, I was going to let him out, and before I could open the screen door, he just ran into it headlong and bounced back, confused. I mean, he could see outside — what the heck! Poor, buddy. Then for the rest of the time at the house, he had a hard time believing he could walk through the fully open threshold once I did open the screen door. It was super cute. Sometimes, we had to show that our hand could move through the open area, and a few times, we had to step through to coax him. He would walk to the door hesitantly, then start to move through, then hop through the open area so pleased with himself. He did it!
Months before, in June, I went to open my mailbox, a task I do six days a week. And to my great shock, BABY ORB WEAVER SPIDERS fell out. And even more mysterious, they were DEAD. Again, I say, what the heck!
It’s been 4 months since this happened, and still, every day, I open the mailbox so hesitantly. Some part of me still expects the Nopelings.
Touche, pupper friend. I get it.
–Renee Roederer
The Day the Crayons Quit
I was present at a church service yesterday as a guest preacher, and when it came time for the Moment with Children, no children were present. I was not leading this section, but someone had prepared a lesson, so she decided to direct it toward the entire church of adults. And this sweet thing happened. Folks from the choir didn’t want her to feel alone at the bottom of the chancel, so they said, “We’re going!” This group of Boomers sat on the floor around her while she read a book.
It was a darling, funny book, and it had a great message for adults too. It was certainly a more creative sermon than my own.
So today, whatever your age, I would like to present, “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt.
Wowist
This weekend, I’ve had the pleasure of being a tour guide. My Mom is in town. Typically, I go visit her, but this weekend, she has visited me. It has given me the chance to show off landmarks, neighborhoods, restaurants, and of course, nature. She couldn’t have picked a better time to come. We are in the peak color week for autumn leaves, and we’ve received a warm front that has led to temperatures in the 70s. Perfection.
The day before she came, a friend sent me this image (above) from @daytohaveaday. “I’m a Wowist!” My friend saw this and thought, “That’s Renee,” which is very sweet.
While walking around outside, I’ve watched my Mom be the same. She, too, is a Wowist. My Mom is a noticer, and occasionally, this has led to me discovering details I didn’t notice were there. I’m often a person to be taken in my a flower, perhaps one that others are passing by, but my Mom noticed things on buildings I’ve walked right by many times.
I noticed that that my Wowist tendencies are in part, a through line from her. And that was a lovely thing to notice.
–Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 