Fusion & Fission (Relationships)

Pilgrim Progressed

Bob was a beloved friend and faithful pilgrim. One day recently, the things of earth began to grow strangely dim, and he entered the Land of Beulah . . . .

This morning, August 20, 2024, finds me fifteen years a quadriplegic. Perhaps ironically named, the Wreckiversary Celebration Fairie has been buzzing-busy preparing the customary breakfast ritual site. Cinnamon rolls baked, iced and at the ready, including a tell-tale cinnamon roll creation signifying 15 years. A lovely sentimentally inscribed bicycle-themed card, and handsomely framed hymnal pageContinue reading “Fifteen Years On . . . .”

Hedge Apples, Bomber, Mail Thieves & Mrs. Alexandrides.

Or, Less Finely Tuned Sensibilities. In 1965, Seagy Hallstadt moved from Birmingham, Michigan (a Detroit suburb) to Shawnee Mission, Kansas (more precisely, Prairie Village) in Johnson County, compliments of Chevrolet Motors when his dad, Dunk, was promoted. Seagy was four then and at that age when lasting memories start to take root. Other than theContinue reading “Hedge Apples, Bomber, Mail Thieves & Mrs. Alexandrides.”

2022: Thirteenth “Wreckiversary”

August 20. This morning I read a note from my daughter, recalling correctly that today was an anniversary of my bicycle’s demise. My being astride that two-wheeled rolling steed, when the physics of negative acceleration suddenly took over, only served to further complicate things. Her note remembered and marveled at God’s faithfulness throughout these thirteenContinue reading “2022: Thirteenth “Wreckiversary””

Fourteen Years

Once again, not one of those weighty multiple-of-five years occasions . . .

A Thanksgiving Re-Tale, Retold

Thanksgiving 2009 has become the fixed north star on my timeline by which I recall, and in recalling, attempt to measure, weigh, and value God’s immeasurable, infinite and priceless faithfulness to me . . . .

Ein Deutsche Prairie Hund

A semi-auto-biographical childhood ramble in which young Seagy Hallstadt learns about his childhood wonderlands — real for a season, ethereal in the end, but always true. “Anyone returning to old haunts is a different person returning. A chapter read once is never read the same way again. And because new chapters always open, once present chapters must always close, even as newer, later life chapters write themselves.”

A Thanksgiving Re-Tale, Retold

As the day unfolds in your own Thanksgiving time-space continuum, and as you determinedly brace yourself for too much turkey, you may already be anticipating the butterball leftovers that will stuff your lunchtime “sammiches” tomorrow. It is in the spirit of savory seasonal leftovers that I recycle an already several times told Thanksgiving re-tale. AContinue reading “A Thanksgiving Re-Tale, Retold”

Six Years On

Sixth “Accidentiversary.” Not one of those much ballyhooed multiple-of-five years. While solemn, neither somber nor maudlin. Have been inspired and encouraged by valiant victors whose worlds have been rocked by trials far more severe, but who nonetheless press on and do the next thing. In their particular “captivities,” they rebuff despair, endeavor with herculean effort,Continue reading “Six Years On”