Russellings of the Spirit

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  • Practicing Peace

    [Trigger warning: today’s blog post deals with death. You might want to give it a pass if that topic unsettles you. No judgment here.] I do some volunteer work here in Fort Collins, Colorado with the local hospice organization. (Did you… Continue reading

  • Where the Hush Falls

    So many lessons learned. So many yet to learn. Learning anew as the street’s stillness enveloped me. As Patrick (the dog) and I took our customary morning stroll, we listened and we heard… … nothing. Then a leaf fell from… Continue reading

  • Part II: The Question I Wanted to Ask the Imam

    In yesterday’s installment (which you can read here if you so desire), I talked about a Q&A session I had with a Turkish imam on a recent tour. If you read that post, you will also remember that I talked about the… Continue reading

  • Part I: What I Actually Asked the Imam

    Earlier this month, Joan and I were on a tour. We were in Turkey with a group of 24 other travelers spending 14 days touring that amazing place with the Rick Steves organization. Our incredible guide was the Istanbul born-and-raised… Continue reading

  • Not Enough

    It is always there. It never rests.  I try to ignore it. I try to muffle it. I try to shout over it. All to no avail. It is as persistent as a mosquito on a humid summer night. It… Continue reading

  • Scratching the Choir Itch

    There is something magical about singing. Especially when that singing is done in harmony with other people.  I am not musically intelligent enough to know how it all works, but when those people over there sing one note, the folks… Continue reading

  • A Mosque Revival

    When the tour guide first said it, I didn’t believe her. So naturally, I Googled it. Turns out she was right. (Professional tour guides usually are.) The nation of Turkey is, in fact, 99.8% Muslim. Meaning that for every 1,000 people… Continue reading

  • Celebrating the season

    Here where I live in northern Colorado USA, the seasons are beginning to change. Summer is graciously bowing to receive her well-earned accolades while fall stands just off-stage awaiting her cue. Warm-ups and vocalization exercises done, she is poised, ready… Continue reading

  • A Rich, Rich Man

    It was one of those perfect, early autumn evenings. The air was still hot and clammy, but the rays of the sun were starting to slant toward the horizon. I was excited because tonight was the first game of the… Continue reading

  • Block Party Confessional

    Joan and I went to a block party last week. The party wasn’t technically on OUR block. But someone on that other, partying block was kind enough to invite us. It was a nice event featuring grilled goodies, a potluck… Continue reading