This past week I had read the book "Dakota," a spiritual geography by Kathleen Norris, who lives in Lemmon, South Dakota with her husband David Droyer, who is a poet. Kathleen has also written two books of poetry, "Falling Off," and "The Middle of the World." Perhaps some of you have read this memoir, which is a remarkable new work of nonfiction.

She writes with humor and lyrical grace. It's a book of stories about the Great Plains where things timeless and deep can be found, offering gifts of grace and revelation. It's about second, third, and fourth generation Americans who have lived on the land for many years apart from the mainstream American culture, which has become more urban and filled with cities with every passing year. It is about aging congregations in small towns. I choose not to tell you much more hoping you will read it for yourself. Many of my readers have their stories of pioneer days to tell. I would love to hear from you!

Warm Thoughts from Dakota: Handwritten prayer and Bible: Keep me friendly to myself. Keep me gentle in disappointment. The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. TS Eliot. Poets and Christians are people who believe in the power of words to affect change in the human heart. Kathleen Norris. Have a beautiful day in the afterglow of Easter!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record April 11th, 1996.

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I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina