Soul Carving

       Though their jade green coverings are striking, shimmering, and studded with gold, somehow the chrysalises blend docilely into their surroundings. Each time I pass them, hanging there quietly upon our kitchen counter, I stop and stare a while. I'm admiring their intricate design, but I'm also reassuring myself that they are still there. They dangle there, gingerly, in complete silence. I scarcely notice them in my own house, I'm certain I'd never detect them if I were walking past them outdoors. They are especially difficult to see while the demands of motherhood are ever-present (and much noisier).        This semester I've been taking a biology course. The instructor is an imaginative man who employs a variety of methods in teaching the concepts, everything from bringing in live termite specimens for observation. to showing clips from Monty Python. It's been an interesting class. One video he showed really got me to th...

       I mentioned that I've been rising earlier in the mornings to walk a mile before my little ones awake. Sometimes I meet up with friends and we chat for the half hour it takes to cover the ground. But mostly, I've walked in solitude. I liked starting off this way. I could go at my own pace, not feel self-conscience about my "exercise attire" (which doubles as my pajamas) and pause to enjoy the scenery, even take a picture or two. I'm relishing that half hour of quiet reflection, a time to collect my thoughts and appreciate the creation of a new day. I'm not wiped out when I get home. I feel energized. The day seems to last longer and I feel a greater sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when my head hits the pillow at night.        My first morning out on the path I noticed shards of glass littering one area. I carefully stepped around them, lamenting the fact that someone had left such a mess. The next morning I approached the...