“If you don’t get out of my way, I’ll shoot you.” The man looks like ex-military or military wannabe but gone to seed, his crew cut greying and his stomach protruding, hanging loosely over his too-tight belt. He is pushing a shopping cart with a few items in it; a[…]
I remember when, as a little girl, you would twirl, eyes closed and skirts flashing, and fall, laughing, into whoever’s arms were closest to you, knowing without doubt, that you would be caught. I wish I could tell you with the same certainty now that you’re beginning your new[…]
I dreamt of fire and snow, and woke up to wind. The wind has been blowing all day, mash’Allaah, whipping frenzied treetops into wild shapes, majestic and sometimes grotesque against a steel grey sky. Cold, but not the indifferent cold of sun and snow; rather, the cold of red-cheeked[…]
A few nights ago a storm front rolled across our little patch of the Ozarks, a sigh of relief after a hot spell that seemed to be lasting forever. While most of the leaves are still green, I do notice a tree here, a patch there, bursting into the song[…]
This morning we awoke for the pre-dawn meal to a soft rain carried lightly on a blind-stirring breeze. We saw all together in a half darkened room talking quietly so as not to wake baby Asmaa. Our meal was simple- oatmeal, and zucchini bread made from some of the fruits[…]
These days are days of remembering. As I work each night on my Yemeni Journey book, it seems impossible to write my past without living it again, at least a little. At least feel the sting of tears behind closed lids as I say goodbye to my father, sisters, and[…]
I don’t remember a time when my mother wasn’t ill. I know in my head that she once was pain-free, moved easily, laughed with the careless abandon of a child. In my memory, though, she is always careful. Careful in the way she held her head, shoulders tense, as though[…]
The siege of Damaaj has entered its fifty-fourth day. Three people were injured yesterday, one seriously. According to Shaakir McGill: “Medical Report by Dr. Ahmed Shabaam Al-Waadee’ of Dammaj hospital 155 killed (may Allah accept them as martyrs) 139 missing (may Allah accept them as martyrs and facilitate their burial[…]
I haven’t forgotten the sound of your voice any more than I have forgotten the sound of my mother’s heartbeat when I rested my head against her chest during cold Wisconsin nights. I haven’t forgotten the sound of your voice any more than I have forgotten the sound of the[…]
Wide Earth is all about sustainable living, family time, homeschooling, gardening, cooking- in general, in making home and community places of light, love, and learning. Alhamdulillah, we are back to homeschooling most of the children after a brief sojourn into the land of outside schooling. With the coming of Autumn,[…]
