The boilerplate. We often live off of the tip jar in between paychecks and everything is so expensive these days, it's fun to find a tip in here! Thank you to my readers, more writing is coming soon!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Blogkeeping Notes For Spooky Season
This isn't a normal post. This is just your several-times-a-year reminder of where you can find me when I'm not on Patheos, and how you can support my work.
www.patheos.com
November 13, 2026 at 4:41 PM
The boilerplate. We often live off of the tip jar in between paychecks and everything is so expensive these days, it's fun to find a tip in here! Thank you to my readers, more writing is coming soon!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I stayed that way all night. There was no energy left. There was not an ounce of creativity left. There was only me, in a newly purple state, freer than I’ve been in a decade.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A Place Worth Fighting For
This miserable place where the Rust Belt collides with the Appalachian foothills is every bit as bad as you've been told. But it's also home.
www.patheos.com
November 13, 2026 at 4:37 PM
I stayed that way all night. There was no energy left. There was not an ounce of creativity left. There was only me, in a newly purple state, freer than I’ve been in a decade.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
She snuggled down into the space between my crossed legs, head on one thigh, bright green eyes half open. I stroked her side, far above the shaved spot, and that was when I felt the purr.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
You The Branches, Compassion The Law
There is a fear I carry with me, and I guess I always will: that I am not a good branch, and I will be thrown away and burned.
www.patheos.com
November 13, 2026 at 4:28 PM
She snuggled down into the space between my crossed legs, head on one thigh, bright green eyes half open. I stroked her side, far above the shaved spot, and that was when I felt the purr.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Last Tuesday, half of Catholic voters decided to punch back. They joined the millions and millions of people in a historic mandate against the Republican party.
So what will happen in 2028, and afterwards?
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
So what will happen in 2028, and afterwards?
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A Word On The 2026 Catholic Voters' Shift Towards Democrats
For forty-nine years, Catholics were led on again and again that all we had to do was vote Republican and abortion would go away forever.
www.patheos.com
November 13, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Last Tuesday, half of Catholic voters decided to punch back. They joined the millions and millions of people in a historic mandate against the Republican party.
So what will happen in 2028, and afterwards?
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
So what will happen in 2028, and afterwards?
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Gustate et videte quoniam suavis est Dominus; beatus vir qui sperat in eo.
O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Do I trust in Him?
Not in the way that I used to.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Do I trust in Him?
Not in the way that I used to.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
In The Woods, Not Knowing
I went for a walk in the woods, not knowing.
www.patheos.com
November 13, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Gustate et videte quoniam suavis est Dominus; beatus vir qui sperat in eo.
O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Do I trust in Him?
Not in the way that I used to.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Do I trust in Him?
Not in the way that I used to.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Maybe the birds were fighting. Maybe they were mating. Maybe they were crying “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” and “If you are the Son of Man, come down,” in honor of the day.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
The God Of Crows And Eagles
The God of crows and eagles, streams of water, dilapidated Appalachian neighborhoods, of kind people like Jimmy and The Lady of LaBelle and of codependent failures like me.
www.patheos.com
November 13, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Maybe the birds were fighting. Maybe they were mating. Maybe they were crying “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” and “If you are the Son of Man, come down,” in honor of the day.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Great is your faithfulness, said the river. Great is your faithfulness. Great is your faithfulness.
I have been so sad and so afraid for the longest time. It took until I was forty to be even close to happy, and I’m still not very used to it.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I have been so sad and so afraid for the longest time. It took until I was forty to be even close to happy, and I’m still not very used to it.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Confession At Shafer's Rock
I went to the Wildflower Reserve, to see how the world was going to sleep. I can't even begin to tell you how I've longed for a hike this
www.patheos.com
November 13, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Great is your faithfulness, said the river. Great is your faithfulness. Great is your faithfulness.
I have been so sad and so afraid for the longest time. It took until I was forty to be even close to happy, and I’m still not very used to it.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I have been so sad and so afraid for the longest time. It took until I was forty to be even close to happy, and I’m still not very used to it.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
It wasn’t like all those years I struggled with a misdiagnosed chronic illness. This was whatever the opposite of illness is. This was the exhaustion of finally feeling that something had gone well.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A Place Worth Fighting For
This miserable place where the Rust Belt collides with the Appalachian foothills is every bit as bad as you've been told. But it's also home.
www.patheos.com
November 11, 2026 at 8:17 PM
It wasn’t like all those years I struggled with a misdiagnosed chronic illness. This was whatever the opposite of illness is. This was the exhaustion of finally feeling that something had gone well.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
There are barely any wildflowers this time of year, but the trees make up for it. Over and over again I craned my neck to look up, lost in beauty.
As I hiked, I prayed. I always do. I can’t not pray when I hike, and it’s hard to pray when I don’t hike.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
As I hiked, I prayed. I always do. I can’t not pray when I hike, and it’s hard to pray when I don’t hike.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Confession At Shafer's Rock
I went to the Wildflower Reserve, to see how the world was going to sleep. I can't even begin to tell you how I've longed for a hike this
www.patheos.com
November 11, 2026 at 8:16 PM
There are barely any wildflowers this time of year, but the trees make up for it. Over and over again I craned my neck to look up, lost in beauty.
As I hiked, I prayed. I always do. I can’t not pray when I hike, and it’s hard to pray when I don’t hike.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
As I hiked, I prayed. I always do. I can’t not pray when I hike, and it’s hard to pray when I don’t hike.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A place worth living in.
A place worth fighting for.
Steubenville.
Appalachia.
America.
Home.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A place worth fighting for.
Steubenville.
Appalachia.
America.
Home.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A More Perfect Union
The world all around me was chaos and shock and noise. No, the world was brightness and excitement and showmanship. No, the world was terrifying. No, it was intoxicating. No, it was something else ent...
www.patheos.com
November 7, 2026 at 6:08 PM
A place worth living in.
A place worth fighting for.
Steubenville.
Appalachia.
America.
Home.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A place worth fighting for.
Steubenville.
Appalachia.
America.
Home.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
It’s not the Donald Trumps and the Stephen Millers of the world that drive me near despair. There is nothing remarkable about a sociopath. What chills me to no end is the ordinary people who brush it off as nothing.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
In The Bitterest January
I did not know that so many brutal, cold, ruthless people existed in my country. And no matter what happens to this administration...
www.patheos.com
November 7, 2026 at 6:07 PM
It’s not the Donald Trumps and the Stephen Millers of the world that drive me near despair. There is nothing remarkable about a sociopath. What chills me to no end is the ordinary people who brush it off as nothing.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
The suspense was terrible.
We worried day and night.
A day or two, the lifespan of a mayfly, and the world may come to an end.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
We worried day and night.
A day or two, the lifespan of a mayfly, and the world may come to an end.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A Mayfly
The times continue to be interesting. I keep thinking about what story a historian would make out of my life and times one day. I wonder if any
www.patheos.com
November 7, 2026 at 6:04 PM
The suspense was terrible.
We worried day and night.
A day or two, the lifespan of a mayfly, and the world may come to an end.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
We worried day and night.
A day or two, the lifespan of a mayfly, and the world may come to an end.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
There was a sign on the fence forbidding, among other activities, “sled riding.”
Immediately, I wanted to know the story about the whoever who had attempted to go sledding on the ancient burial mound.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Immediately, I wanted to know the story about the whoever who had attempted to go sledding on the ancient burial mound.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Hodgen's Mound
I rounded the side of the mound, cautious, not wanting to get too close. Somebody once told me that it's disrespectful to walk on graves.
www.patheos.com
November 7, 2026 at 6:01 PM
There was a sign on the fence forbidding, among other activities, “sled riding.”
Immediately, I wanted to know the story about the whoever who had attempted to go sledding on the ancient burial mound.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Immediately, I wanted to know the story about the whoever who had attempted to go sledding on the ancient burial mound.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
The tip jar is more and more often what we eat out of, with the paycheck going just to bills with the high utility prices. So, it's always nice to find a tip in there! Thanks to my readers, more writing soon!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Blogkeeping Notes For Spooky Season
This isn't a normal post. This is just your several-times-a-year reminder of where you can find me when I'm not on Patheos, and how you can support my work.
www.patheos.com
November 7, 2026 at 6:11 PM
The tip jar is more and more often what we eat out of, with the paycheck going just to bills with the high utility prices. So, it's always nice to find a tip in there! Thanks to my readers, more writing soon!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
The word “Ohio” comes from the Iroquois language. It means “Beautiful River,” but it’s closer to “Good River” or maybe just “Big River.” I suppose there was probably a time in history when the Ohio looked beautiful, though it doesn’t now.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
The River Is Not Kind
The river itself is a ribbon of mercury-colored sludge, the most polluted body of water in the United States.
www.patheos.com
November 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The word “Ohio” comes from the Iroquois language. It means “Beautiful River,” but it’s closer to “Good River” or maybe just “Big River.” I suppose there was probably a time in history when the Ohio looked beautiful, though it doesn’t now.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I was resting beside the bones of three human beings who ate the meat of stegodons and carved petroglyphs in the shale rock, thousands of years before there was such a thing as West Virginia at all.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Walking The Mound, Between Bones And Floods
On the east side is a series of shale hills, the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, a mountain range some people call "older than bones"
www.patheos.com
November 7, 2026 at 5:58 PM
I was resting beside the bones of three human beings who ate the meat of stegodons and carved petroglyphs in the shale rock, thousands of years before there was such a thing as West Virginia at all.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I saw how conservative Catholics reacted to an eight-year-old with cancer.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
November 5, 2026 at 7:02 PM
I saw how conservative Catholics reacted to an eight-year-old with cancer.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
In the midst of all this rejoicing, I've got to take a road trip to Akron two hours away because small towns in Northern Appalachia don't have decent medical anything, and I need a tank of gas. Here is the tip jar, I will write some more to earn my tips later today!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Blogkeeping Notes For Spooky Season
This isn't a normal post. This is just your several-times-a-year reminder of where you can find me when I'm not on Patheos, and how you can support my work.
www.patheos.com
November 4, 2026 at 2:59 PM
In the midst of all this rejoicing, I've got to take a road trip to Akron two hours away because small towns in Northern Appalachia don't have decent medical anything, and I need a tank of gas. Here is the tip jar, I will write some more to earn my tips later today!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I am throwing my tip jar up as usual, because whatever happens tonight, prices won't go down any time soon and I've got to go to the store just now. Thank you, more writing soon!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Blogkeeping Notes For Spooky Season
This isn't a normal post. This is just your several-times-a-year reminder of where you can find me when I'm not on Patheos, and how you can support my work.
www.patheos.com
November 3, 2026 at 5:36 PM
I am throwing my tip jar up as usual, because whatever happens tonight, prices won't go down any time soon and I've got to go to the store just now. Thank you, more writing soon!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
My tip jar. More and more of our pay is going into gas and groceries with the price going up every minute, so we're really eating out of the tip jar and putting all the paycheck to bills lately. I will keep writing to earn my tips. Thank you!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Blogkeeping Notes For Spooky Season
This isn't a normal post. This is just your several-times-a-year reminder of where you can find me when I'm not on Patheos, and how you can support my work.
www.patheos.com
November 2, 2026 at 12:04 AM
My tip jar. More and more of our pay is going into gas and groceries with the price going up every minute, so we're really eating out of the tip jar and putting all the paycheck to bills lately. I will keep writing to earn my tips. Thank you!
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I’m not upset that people realize that Ramaswamy is scum. But I’m concerned that people on social media are claiming it’s because he’s Indian-American, and a member of the Hindu faith.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Vivek Ramaswamy Is All American, And Evil
Ramaswamy is not "acting like a Hindu" or "acting like an Indian" when he behaves so crassly. He's acting like a rich, spoiled, American.
www.patheos.com
October 29, 2026 at 5:16 PM
I’m not upset that people realize that Ramaswamy is scum. But I’m concerned that people on social media are claiming it’s because he’s Indian-American, and a member of the Hindu faith.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I am not better than the people who lost their faith to the Charismatic Renewal, and don’t believe at all. I’m just different.
But I’m exhausted, and I’m angry.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
But I’m exhausted, and I’m angry.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A November Pilgrimage
I woke up terrified, and sad. I have been learning to be happy for nearly all of 2024. I've had more peace and calm this year than in any other year of my
www.patheos.com
October 29, 2026 at 4:28 PM
I am not better than the people who lost their faith to the Charismatic Renewal, and don’t believe at all. I’m just different.
But I’m exhausted, and I’m angry.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
But I’m exhausted, and I’m angry.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
On the way home, we found a blind kitten.
A jet-black cat, around six weeks old, was mewing piteously in the middle of the street.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A jet-black cat, around six weeks old, was mewing piteously in the middle of the street.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A Balm To Make The Wounded Whole
Another patch of lemon balm spilled out over the bricks of the road, alive and fragrant as if it was still summer.
www.patheos.com
October 29, 2026 at 4:17 PM
On the way home, we found a blind kitten.
A jet-black cat, around six weeks old, was mewing piteously in the middle of the street.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
A jet-black cat, around six weeks old, was mewing piteously in the middle of the street.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
What did any of this have to do with the Ohio midterm election?
I have been reporting on Donald Trump and his cronies for ten years now, and it’s hard to shock me. But every once in awhile I’m still shocked.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I have been reporting on Donald Trump and his cronies for ten years now, and it’s hard to shock me. But every once in awhile I’m still shocked.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Americans Are Equal, And Racism Is Wrong
If you are an American and you don't believe that immigrants and the children of immigrants are your equals, we can't just agree to disagree.
www.patheos.com
October 29, 2026 at 5:17 PM
What did any of this have to do with the Ohio midterm election?
I have been reporting on Donald Trump and his cronies for ten years now, and it’s hard to shock me. But every once in awhile I’m still shocked.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I have been reporting on Donald Trump and his cronies for ten years now, and it’s hard to shock me. But every once in awhile I’m still shocked.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
Frances, whoever she really is, would be an old woman now.
I hope she wears clothes she likes and goes by a name that seems right to her.
I hope she is still assertive.
I hope she prophesies.
Most of all, though, I hope she is happy.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I hope she wears clothes she likes and goes by a name that seems right to her.
I hope she is still assertive.
I hope she prophesies.
Most of all, though, I hope she is happy.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
On The Shunning Of Francine Or Frances
Francine McIntosh was a single woman came to the community asking for "ministry" because of her struggles with asthma.
www.patheos.com
October 29, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Frances, whoever she really is, would be an old woman now.
I hope she wears clothes she likes and goes by a name that seems right to her.
I hope she is still assertive.
I hope she prophesies.
Most of all, though, I hope she is happy.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...
I hope she wears clothes she likes and goes by a name that seems right to her.
I hope she is still assertive.
I hope she prophesies.
Most of all, though, I hope she is happy.
www.patheos.com/blogs/steelm...