To those of you who already know Ruth, you know what is wrong with this picture. To those of you who do not know her, you need to understand that Ruth is typically NOT the one eating, but more likely the one preparing and setting out the food. She is an extroverted personality who loves... Continue Reading →
“Knock knock,” someone calls from outside my office door. “Who’s there?” I laugh.. “Actually, Minister, it’s not a joke, sadly. It’s Marie here. May I come in?” Marie oversees our little community cemetery. Our church is too small to maintain its own burial ground, so following funeral services we bury caskets and urns in the... Continue Reading →
Another chapter in the series Stories from Somewhere, fictional reflections of an unidentified place at an unknown time. Other chapters are listed here. “There is no such thing as a hopeless case”—AA Big Book “Minister, I need you to come over right away. Please. I am in trouble. Come right away.” I haven’t heard from... Continue Reading →
Love is blind? Or is it blue? —Anonymous proverb I want to make a good impression; to get our first date right. We had met in other ways — by happenstance, at church events, at choir practice, and at community meetings. I had noticed Ronni from a distance. She’s attractive, and I sensed interesting. I... Continue Reading →
Chapter ten in the series Stories from Somewhere, by me, Ken Gray “Mayday*Mayday*Mayday.” My shouted distress call must have looked silly. There I was, standing in a wobbly west coast dory, shouting into a bank of dense fog that had quickly appeared out of nowhere, covering us in our little skiff. Close to the shore... Continue Reading →
And other short stories about leaders who lie Graphic assembled in Canva. Photos L-R: Karoline Leavitt (Bruce Chaff CC 4.0), Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, JD Vance, Stephen Miller (all public domain) Story by Bri-anne Swan on Substack and the Wilderness Times - Jan 11, 2026 [Bri-anne Swan] It’s difficult to escape the fatigue that sets... Continue Reading →
Another in the series: Stories from Somewhere by me, Ken GrayAn index to other stories is here “God be with you.” “Oh Lord, not again. ‘God’ is so archaic. Surely ‘source of all being’ is better, more relevant, inclusive, and pleasing to the Divine.” “But you just said ‘Lord.’ There’s a problem there pal. Pate-ree-ark-al.”... Continue Reading →
A New Year's Day reflection by Anne Lamott [Anne Lamott] I will flinch a bit today whenever someone exhorts me to have a happy new year. It might be the word “happy,” which is so giddy and clown-shoe slappy, in combination with my walking personality disorder. It‘s also that the emphasis will be on Hap,... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 