Rural
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Can these Porch Lights Still Glow?
There’s a saying from that annals of rural southern mythology that goes something like “If the porch light’s on, come on in.” I think this statement is designed to promote the idea or heritage of rural hospitality. The idea that country folk will welcome anyone in need need into their homes. I can, with some… Continue reading
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Book Review: Dying of Whiteness
I recently finished listening to the podcast The Anthropocene Reviewed. I highly recommend it. In one episode, John Green refers to book reviews as memoirs of their writers’ experience with the book at that particular time. Books, movies, and other experiences connect with us in our context. I much prefer this understanding of book reviews… Continue reading
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This is my song, this is my story…
I’m in the process of relocating to a new office on a different floor of the church where I serve as the scholar in residence. At first, I was hesitant to agree to move. I wanted to be closer to the rest of the staff, and, let’s be honest, the microwave. But, I’ve warmed up… Continue reading
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Learning to “Sit Watch”
This pile of used surgical masks is my reminder that in the past month, I’ve clocked more hours in hospitals than in my office. A family health issue—one that I won’t go into too much detail here because of privacy and the reality that it is still ongoing—has me coming and going from a 5… Continue reading
Jonathan LeMaster-Smith 