by Esther C. Baird, first published in the Ipswich Local News, May 11, 2023 They say that owning dogs makes you calmer and happier and provides better immunity against germs. And surely, as I sank onto my couch covered in dog … everything … that’s what I was feeling: happy and healthy (perhaps with a tiny side…
The Baird Facts
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God
By Esther C. Baird, as written for the Silver Bay Spiritual Life Center, Silver Bay, NY. To subscribe to the mailing please email: pastoralrespite@silverbay.org Close your eyes and imagine you’re at Silver Bay (unless you’re actually there, in which case keep them open!). You’re on the front porch of the Inn looking out at the lake from a…
Blowing Through March
by Esther C. Baird, first published in the Ipswich Local News, March 30, 2023 Well, it’s March. The season of sand. Road crews scatter it like tiny beaches around our inland towns to deal with that ever-tricky late-season snow. The sand — maybe more than the snow — threatens to break me. Perhaps in solidarity, our snow blower,…
The Practical Beauty of the Beatitudes: blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God
Posted on March, 2023 by Esther Baird By Esther C. Baird, as written for the Silver Bay Spiritual Life Center, Silver Bay, NY. To subscribe to the mailing please email: pastoralrespite@silverbay.org At Silver Bay, we place a great priority on the clean water of Lake George. My family’s camp just north of the Bay has water lines that go directly into…
The Tricks of the Travel Team Mom
by Esther C. Baird, first published in the Ipswich Local News, January 25, 2023 I’m typing this from the White Whoosh which, as regular readers know, is the name of my minivan. I’ve long written about how it’s merely an extension of myself. Where does Esther end and the Whoosh begin? Some days, it’s hard to tell. …
The Practical Beauty of the Beatitudes: blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy
By Esther C. Baird, as written for the Silver Bay Spiritual Life Center, Silver Bay, NY. To subscribe to the mailing please email: pastoralrespite@silverbay.org Last summer I had the opportunity to lead evening Vespers a few times. It’s a great way to connect to the people on campus at Silver Bay and to hear some fantastic music by…
The Practical Beauty of the Beatitudes: blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied.
By Esther C. Baird, as written for the Silver Bay Spiritual Life Center, Silver Bay, NY. To subscribe to the mailing please email: pastoralrespite@silverbay.org Over the years our two girls have been involved in a variety of ways at Silver Bay. They’ve been kids at Silver Camp, program members going to sailing and art classes, and most…
Out, out, damn spot
by Esther C. Baird, first published in the Ipswich Local News, January 25, 2023 I’ve written a lot about teeth over the years. Regular readers will recall the girl’s first tooth losses … and then the second through one billionth losses when the Tooth Fairy didn’t quite live up to expectations, (the expectation being that…
Dreams of naps for the New Year
By Esther C. Baird. First published in the Ipswich Local News, January 5, 2023 Well, here we are again, staring down another New Year with all our hopes and dreams for world peace, no global pandemics, a calm election cycle, or — look, I’d settle for just a nap. I’d also settle for a car…
The Practical Beauty of the Beatitudes: blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth
By Esther C. Baird, as written for the Silver Bay Spiritual Life Center, Silver Bay, NY. To subscribe to the mailing please email: pastoralrespite@silverbay.org If you’ve been to Lake George in the winter, perhaps snowshoeing at Silver Bay, or simply happy to stay inside by a roaring fire, you know that when the lake finally freezes over,…