Noticing Magic Everywhere

Kate Comings' journal

Monthly Archives: December 2015


by 1 Comment

Magic

The theme of this blog is noticing magic, and for me, one of the most magical things is the colored lights all over the city. I look forward to seeing them every December. The winter days are short; it gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon, and the Christmas lights are a huge comfort when I have to walk the dogs in the dark. On nights like this I wander; if I see pretty lights on one street, I go that way, and then on to the next… and that’s how I discovered this one on NE Alameda — tiny lights twined through the tree branches, all over the front of the house, and trailing across the front yard lawn. It was so different, and utterly magical. IMG_2712

We’re having the wettest December on record, and though cold, the downpour and growing darkness made downtown Portland a magical sight; on days like this, I love living in the city. I was so enchanted, I missed my bus, just needing to wander around a bit more.

IMG_2747

Starbucks at Pioneer Courthouse Square looked very cozy.

IMG_2751

The giant fir tree was lovely.

IMG_2756

IMG_2754


by Leave a comment

Baptism at age 10

“I baptize you in the name of the Father…”

My feet skidded, trying to find purchase on the slimy, slippery stones on the bottom of the Big Sur River. The pastor gripped my arm. “Hold your nose.” Was that supposed to keep me from drowning? The instant I pinched my nostrils shut, he grabbed my shoulders and shoved me under. The water was icy cold. I was in survival mode. He yanked me back up.

And of the Son–” He thrust me in the frigid current again. My arms flailed. I was drowning. I kicked my feet, fighting for my life, but he held me down. He jerked me back up.

“And of the Holy Ghost.” He plunged me in again. When I came up for the third time, he finally let go of me. I scrabbled my way over the slippery rocks to the riverbank, soaking wet, shivering, and traumatized. I hadn’t a clue what baptism meant. All I knew was that I’d barely escaped with my life.

I headed straight to the church picnic grounds and punched my little sister. Uncle Richard was watching. He did nothing to stop me. He just shook his head.

“You sure don’t act like a girl who’s just been baptized,” he said.