July-2026

PRESENCE Did you know that the snow absorbs sound, especially fresh, fluffy snow? It does. My understanding is that the structure of fresh snow is highly porous, with many air pockets trapped between snowflakes. These air pockets scatter and absorb sound waves, reducing their ability to travel. This is why snowy landscapes often feel quieter – sounds are muffled, creating a calm, almost serene environment. Lying here in this unfamiliar yet cozy bed breathing in that serene si

Thursday's "A Space for Out-of-the-Box Joy" For the last couple of days, I’ve been waking up and listening to at least three songs before I get out of bed. This morning, as I listened, I was trying to decide what I would write about today. I tend to have my best thoughts in the morning, so I usually wait until then to choose my topic. The music had me thinking about when we first moved to Germany in 1978 or thereabouts. We were still looking for housing because my parents did

The year was 1789 in France, and Louis XVI was King. He inherited a monarchy shaped by his predecessors, Louis XV and Louis XIV, who had built and expanded the elaborate court system centered at Versailles. Over time, maintaining this court became enormously expensive, while the French people grew increasingly frustrated by what they saw as government waste and royal excess. In May of that year, King Louis XVI summoned representatives of the clergy, nobility, and commoners to