An Introduction to Limning the Ordinary

Because there's a little bit of mystery in everything

Limn, a definition

depict or describe in paint or words

suffuse or highlight (something) with a bright color or light

Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The moon limned a stone floor late one night.

I was four years old …

… the fifth of six children.

We lived in India, where my parents served as missionaries for three years. We children were frequently hungry. Maybe the food was too spicy or maybe we were picky or maybe there just wasn’t enough.

So that night, my older siblings stole downstairs for bread.

I followed them, and stood, arrested at the foot of the stairs at the sight.

At first, I thought it was a thief with a flashlight, peering inside. Dad would warn us of “hankyman” — his word for a thief/robber/ne’er-do-well. I thought it was hankyman.

I stood, frozen in place. Until my eyes adjusted and I saw it was moonlight.

Floating before me on the floor, so bright.

This was mystery. It was magic. It was a limning of the ordinary.

Such generous suffusion is everywhere.

I am glad you are here.

Really, thank you …

… for visiting, for stopping by.

The world is a busy place and we are busy people.

But sometimes it takes a conscious slowing down to catch a glimpse of mystery, to stand in silent wonder, or just to take a breath.

Here, with Limning the Ordinary, I hope to offer such a space …

Hope, a little respite, a depiction of light …

… a limning of the ordinary.

If you choose to subscribe …

… I would be truly honored and happy to have you along for the journey.

All subscribers will get notes from me several times a week.

If you become a paid subscriber, you’ll have access to archives, hear from me more often, and get an occasional poem or short story in your inbox.

Until then …

May your day be suffused with grace.