A Year of Firsts

Rediscovering magic in the everyday.

  • With Autumn Comes the Fall

    Hey there! It’s been a minute. I hope you are doing ok.  The fall and start of school completely kicked me in the behind. We spent several weeks with someone in the household sick at all times. My daughter is dealing with some acid reflux that is (according to the doctor) probably the aftermath of… Read more

  • Apathy is (not) hot

    I have not been able to help myself from looking at the endless internet discourse on Taylor Swift since the release of her new album. My Lord. People have some VERY serious opinions about these 12 pop songs. Some people think it is her worst album ever. Others are scanning her yearbook to figure out… Read more

  • Thanks for Trying

    A few times in my life people have told me I was “really brave” for doing something that I didn’t find particularly brave at all. It was just….what I did.  My brave actions have included:  I’m sure there are more – these are just specific conversations I remember where the brave word came up, where… Read more

  • Laughs

    I have always loved to laugh. And make people laugh, when I can. It (almost) never hurts to laugh more. Stand up comedy was one of my Dad’s favorites, and I can remember him retelling his favorite jokes, or rewatching comedy specials and still laughing on the third or fourth viewing.  He was a fan of… Read more

  • A ritual for morning grounding and summoning tears of joy

    Get up before everyone, and then lay in bed for a few extra minutes.  Put on your headphones, and play Hozier (or whatever music speaks to you).  Put on a warm and fuzzy sweatshirt or bathrobe.  Go outside and walk around your house at least once. See how the space has changed since the last… Read more

  • Summer Check In: 8 months

    If getting through January is like watching concrete dry, then August is like pouring honey into a cup of tea; it’s golden and sticky and sweet, and while it looks slow and lazy, it disappears way too fast.  I can’t believe school is starting here in just a few days (I know it’s already started… Read more

  • “The Point” of K-Pop Demon Hunters

    If you don’t have young kids who watch TV in your life, then it’s possible that you haven’t heard of K-Pop Demon Hunters this summer. However, if you do have a child in middle school or below, and they watch Netflix, chances are this funny little movie has provided your summer soundtrack.  The movie came… Read more

  • Influencer

    I hope you had a beautiful weekend. The last weekend of July is usually a big one. There’s lots of festivals, happenings, and get-togethers. This past weekend we celebrated my mother-in-law Martha’s life and art with family and friends at the Ruth Wells Center for the Arts, where Martha used to teach and live in… Read more

  • Death on Vacation

    It’s been challenging to write weekly over the summer. Partially because my daughter is home with me everyday and alone time is more scarce, and also because my brain is constantly boiling and after using it for the non-optional tasks, there is not much left. And yes, I do have AC, but somehow while that… Read more

  • ‘Tis of Thee

    There was a very specific moment in my life when I formed my idea of what America means – what she is.  I was a junior in college, and because I was almost done with all of the requirements for my major, I decided to register for an Alternative Spring Break course. It included a… Read more