Intro: so what's a "braided trail"?

In which I refuse to pick a lane.

Readers have been curious or kind enough to follow me down various paths through the years. New Hampshire hikers have kept Granite State Walker going. At Leaven for the Loaf, I’ve reported on pro-life projects and legislation at the state level. My eponymous blog has been a promotional portfolio where I’ve also explored aspects of my Catholic faith.

But omigosh, what if the hikers don’t like my politics or my State House readers don’t care about my hiking or somebody somewhere is put off by a portfolio from a Catholic scribbler? I’ve tried to keep you all a secret from each other.

Enough already. Welcome to Braided Trails.

“Braid” is a nod to the three distinct blogs I’ve launched since 2006. This Substack is a place where each theme can get its due, in context with the others: braided, not fused. It’s about time I found a space big enough to bring the whole blessed lot of us together. It’s big enough for new readers, too.

Who’s the person declaring occupancy in this space? Well, it’s like this: I go to Mass and Adoration and try hard to learn to sing polyphony and thus do justice to Palestrina. I know every rail trail in the state and my ambition is to walk the easternmost 25 miles of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail in a single day. There will never be enough books in my life. I cannot keep my nose out of legislative calendars despite being retired from formal lobbying.

Faith & hikes & civics: strands of the braid. Photos by Ellen Kolb: Mt. Magalloway & First Connecticut Lake NH; Our Lady of Grace, Murano, Italy; New Hampshire State House.

And I am always a few steps behind popular culture, which I hope isn’t a dealbreaker for you. I was a Jeopardy! champion once upon a time, and I nailed the pop culture questions back in 1997. I then retired that particular crown.

On this Substack, you’ll never know what I’ll be writing about next. Even I won’t know very far in advance, truth be told. But life is full and rich and unpredictable. There will always be something at hand to prompt me.

I’d love for you to subscribe, and see what Braided Trails can look like. You can help it grow by sharing what you find. Subscribers will get an emailed edition every month, and as my blog readers know, no spam. I don’t have time to write it and you don’t have time to read it. You can follow my Notes on Substack as well.

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