Variations on a meme go around every now and then, and I saw it again recently: Without relentlessly criticizing, could we let people have their pumpkin spice, and avocado toast, and their fandoms, and their D&D, and their too-early-Halloween decorations, and whatever little harmless things in which they’ve managed to find a tiny shriveled flower … Read more
Rocket Kid did some week-long theatre day camps over the summer, each of which ended with a performance in their classroom. Classes were small, and the teachers held the performance until each child had someone in the audience to see them. Due to COVID mitigation strategies, each child was permitted two audience members. Chairs were … Read more
The big news recently has been about Simone Biles’ decision to pull out of the team gymnastics final. I’ve had the opportunity to read several thoughtful pieces written by people in support of Biles’ decision, and I’ve learned a lot. I had no issue with her decision without knowing the things I’ve learned. She knows … Read more
It’s been a while since a podcast smacked me hard enough to write about it, but this one had at least half a dozen moments that caught my attention. I hadn’t listened to Armchair Expert in a while and was scrolling through missed episodes to see if any jumped out at me. There’s a 10-episode … Read more
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
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
If all goes according to plan, I have a podcast that will be live on July 14—Ordinary Chaos. This post was born in that project, but the takeaway isn’t about the podcast. Hang with me. Ordinary Chaos has several different threads within it, but the overall premise is that people don’t need to be famous to … Read more
Yesterday would have been my friend Michelle’s 45th birthday, if cancer hadn’t taken her when she was 38. Yesterday, a friend had a memorial service across the country for her mom who died of cancer earlier this year. They were both from the same state which made their coinciding date stick out to me more … Read more