The Hammer Times

  • Leaving NEFP

    For more than a year my happy zone was NEFP on a Saturday morning. 😎 It was a place of great joy to me, a space to bring my whole self in the service of others. I threw myself into the creative whirlwind of feeding hundreds of families twice a week during a pandemic, hauling Read more

  • Leaving Portland

    After six years, tonight is my last in Portland. I’ve developed a bit of a love-hate relationship with this city. It’s by far the filthiest place I’ve lived, bringing to mind time spent in parts of India. There are piles of trash under every overpass, along every highway, and in every neighborhood. Worse, there are Read more

  • A Long Chapter

    I have a story to tell you. It’s the story of a long chapter of my life. A current and a past chapter. One that I hope will end, but it might not. Before I begin, there is one rule, dear reader. This is my story. I’m neither looking for, nor receptive to edits or Read more

  • Religion 108

    This is my kindergarten picture. When I think of myself as a college freshman, this is what I see – a little girl. I was so excited to be in college. Our parents started saving when we were very young. Their dream was that finances would not determine where we went to school, as it Read more

  • Hammerhead

    “Hammerhead, Hammerhead, Hammerhead…” On and on it went. Endless teasing from two of my second grade classmates in the halls and on the blacktop playground at Neshaminy Elementary school in Langhorne, PA. I played with the boys at recess. The girls jumped rope. I joined games of tag. The occasional fall landed me in the Read more

  • Beware of Bad Intel: Part One in an Occasional Series

    What if you’ve been given bad intel? 1. The image you see in the mirror is not you. It’s only a quick reflection of your densest energy layer: your physical body. Even if you said, “I understand that it isn’t a reflection of my whole self, but it is how I look”, I would challenge Read more

  • Beauty’s Besties: Written for Mom

    Beauty is very popular. She has many, many, many fans. When she shows up as a sunset, people stop and stare, “How beautiful! Isn’t she gorgeous in her red, orange and yellow shimmering cape?” “Oh, one time I saw her at the beach (or mountain top or exotic travel location) and she was spectacular! Maybe Read more

  • Bees

    There’s a sign at this location indicating that this is a planned bee habitat. Bees are facing particular head winds in our area and their numbers are declining. So, a group took the time to find a space where bees would thrive. They augmented it with plants bees particularly like, so they could be their Read more

  • Encouragers, Stabilizers, Up-Lifters: The Symbolic Power of the Choir Processional

    If God is the audience of our worship and pastors are the leaders, the choir, as it processes, serves as the encouragers, stabilizers, and up-lifters. Traditionally, the choir processes from the rear of the church toward the chancel during the first hymn. Their voices announce their approach, growing clearer as they pass each pew and Read more

  • White Frosting

    Sweet, spreadable, “supreme” white frosting straight culture. Mine, in many ways, not mine in others. I wish it could/would stay in its can. Let the other frostings cover some cake, too. And when it’s a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, be okay that it’s not your cake. You don’t have to run over and applaud Read more