Heat Weirdlastname I had a lovely conversation with a few brilliant women yesterday. We left off with a question to pick up next time: how do you know when something “isn’t my thing” versus “I just need to practice”? In other words, is the activity not for me, or am I just frustrated because I don’t have … Read more
It’s a hiking-heavy time of year. The weather is nice. Take advantage while it’s here! Saw a falcon, maybe? The air was not the best, but the Superstitions are always nice to look at. The sun and the rocks and the airport made for an interesting shot. And I love the look of the plants … Read more
I don’t know if it’s because people are busy (they are) or because people are exhausted (they are) or because there’s something going on that I don’t know about (happens often), but there’s a lot of Christmas still happening. My neighbors have pumpkins on the porch and Christmas lights on the trees and the eaves … Read more
In a conversation about calendars and keeping households collectively time-organized, we touched on personal planners. Mine is paper, next to my desk, and I designed the sheets. Details aren’t important because takeaway from the conversation was about flexibility, not planners. For many of us who are perfectionists in various stages of recovery, figuring out the … Read more
I was at Kiwanis Park for a family photo shoot and took a few other shots while I was there. First, we saw an albino pigeon, which I’ve never seen before. I’m not sure what’s in the water, but I liked the photo it offered. (I liked it less when I was kayaking in an … Read more
Changing Hands Bookstore had a virtual writing event recently where we were guided through a variety of chance operations activities. These activities leave the writing process to chance. (They’re useful for any creative composing, not just writing. John Cage used some in composing music, for example.) Leaving things to chance requires the writer to put … Read more
Last week, I had quite a few small moments of food-induced happiness. Trader Joe’s used to have a samosa burrito and then they didn’t carry it any more, and it’s back! I bought one and had it for lunch. Yum! Potatoes, peas, carrots, cauliflower with chutney and spices wrapped in a tortilla. It’s not health … Read more
The weather here has been gorgeous and we’ve been taking advantage of it by hiking. The photos to follow are from four different expeditions. One evening, moon rise was amazing. Large, pink moon with wispy clouds. The photo doesn’t come close to doing it justice. This isn’t new, but every now and then I’m struck … Read more
Maybe it started when I started teaching. Maybe it’s just the way my dad’s stoicism shows up on my face. Regardless the why, I have a history of being in charge of groups of people where I’m not entirely comfortable and where those who are in the group are generally unaware of my discomfort. It … Read more
Annie Duke was the guest on an engaging episode of A Slight Change of Plans. The theme of the episode was quitting and it offered so many new thoughts to me. “If you think about the way that we process narratives, we don’t really see the quitters…The heroes are the ones who persevere beyond the … Read more