Dancingbird Gallery in 2025: An Adventure in Art and Agitation Owning a glassblowing gallery in a mall right now feels a little like trying to do performance art on a sinking ship, while someone is rearranging the furniture and charging you extra for the privilege.Between rising tariffs on raw materials,…
Tag: Brian Ernest Brown
Faith, Conscience & Common Good
Read more
The No Kings Protest: A Christian Perspective
The No Kings Protest: A Christian Perspective On June 14, 2025, millions of Americans took to the streets in what has become known as the No Kings Protest, a nationwide demonstration against authoritarianism and political corruption. Among those standing in solidarity were Christians, committed to justice, peace, and the teachings…
Coworkers of Christ
Read more
A Consecration I Didn’t Seek, and the Grace I Found
On the Feast of St. Kevin of Glendalough, nineteen years ago today, June 3, 2006, I was consecrated to the episcopacy and made a bishop within the Free Catholic tradition. It was a day marked by equal measures of challenge and grace, shadow and blessing. The truth is, the day…
Highways, Byways & Hedges
Read more
VanLife Day 10 or We Don’t Own Our Next Breath
It was a beautiful morning, the kind that makes you glad to be alive. The birds were in full chorus and the air was cool and crisp and gentle on my skin. A soft breeze ruffled the leaves in the trees and the smell of spring was in the air….
Faith, Conscience & Common Good
Read more
The Coming of the Son: Sunrise on Bear Mountain
In the darkness that is winter and the depth that is Lent, behold, Easter draws near when the Light of the World will rise again! I awoke to a glorious sunrise this morning and was immediately reminded of the imminent coming of Easter and all that resurrection means in this…
Highways, Byways & Hedges
Read more
VanLife Tricks: The Alchemy of Turning Wood Into Iron
The alchemy of turning wood into iron is pretty easy as it turns out. It’s called Rust-Oleum Universal All Surface Flat Metallic Soft Iron Spray Paint and Primer in 1. I really couldn’t have asked for a better color. I have a thing about grey. Perhaps you’ve noticed a pattern…
Highways, Byways & Hedges
Read more
Splinters, Blisters, and a Build-Out, Oh My!
Had I known, I think I would have purchased a Class C RV. Armed with a screwdriver, a hammer, some nails, some glue, and leftover paper towels I went to work. Lucky for me, my measurements and the cuts that the helpful guy from Home Depot made were all spot…
Highways, Byways & Hedges
Read more
Build or Buy? VanLife Decisions
Well, after looking around at flea markets, researching various ideas, and literally weighing the options, I’ve opted to build what I need. Now, how to do that with a manual screwdriver, a hammer, and absolutely no carpentry skills. In a phrase reminiscent of one of my childhood heroes, Dr. Leonard…
Highways, Byways & Hedges
Read more
Let the Build-Out Begin
Deciding what one needs in a vehicle one is going to live in encourages much thought and planning. You have little space to work with and every square inch counts. I don’t want to mess with the flooring, the walls or the windows. The Kraken is pretty nice and reasonably…