Heat Weirdlastname I’ve read and talked and written and lived a lot of “it’s the little things that matter”—in general, in creating and maintaining habits, in relationships with partners, friends, coworkers, kids. There’s so much truth in it. If we only focus on the big things, we miss so much opportunity, growth, love. So many delightful details … Read more
Until recently, our next door neighbor had two dead trees in their yard. One in the middle of the yard had multiple trunks and was quite tall. I don’t remember it being alive while we’ve lived here. Climbing Daddy said he thought it was half alive when we moved in and died soon thereafter. Either … Read more
Rocket Kid and I brought the toys and the camera to the pool for some fun. It turned out to be more frustrating than fun, because of buoyancy and because the water moves, both of which make it difficult to focus the camera. Also, it was bright and sunny which makes looking at the (backlit) … Read more
Ordinary Chaos is my new podcast, found wherever you get your podcasts (though I’m having trouble at Google), and has been in the works for over three months. What has taken three months?? The obvious things: the interviews, the art, the music, the trailer. Less obvious but not invisible: the hosting, the website, the show … Read more
Every now and then, I learn a thing that changes my life for the better in some small way. This happened to me recently. I learned about cold-brewed tea. I had never heard of cold-brewed tea. It’s not the same as iced tea, which is regular-brewed tea with ice in it. I’m a fan. But … Read more
I didn’t take photos this week, but I have some photos from the Mesa Community College Rose Garden that I haven’t shared with you…until today! I don’t know my roses, and I didn’t take notes on which were what kind, so I have nothing useful for you in that way. A couple of close-ups of … Read more
I have a document where I save my current writing: complete pieces, incomplete pieces, complete but not going to publish pieces, and a slew of ideas for pieces-to-be. When I settle in to write, if I don’t already have something in mind to write about, I will refer to the unfinished pieces or the list … Read more
Witnessing a conversation on NextDoor, the original poster asked if a $165/month increase in rent was normal. She said normally the rent on her year lease increases $20-40, and this increase was jarring. The conversation has 135 comments on it. Several people commented that they were happy their rent only went up $100/month. “Only” because … Read more
Most of my photographs not of people have been of things I’ve seen in my travels. I notice things, but I rarely create them. I’ve been working on creating more, setting up still-life-type of situations, and then taking shots. The struggle with this, at least for me, is that it requires a different way of … Read more
Whenever I come into contact with sirens of police, fire, or ambulance, I have a moment of gratitude that whatever they are racing to does not involve me. We live close enough to a few main roads that sirens are not that uncommon. Eating dinner on the back porch and hear them in the distance. … Read more