Yesterday, I received an invitation to my good friend’s birthday party: a good thing! The only problem is that it’s going winetasting. My happiness turned to dread as I realized the venue and the agenda. To my friend’s credit, she wrote me a thoughtful text saying she understands if it’s not something I feel comfortable Read More
Month: June 2022
Weekend Book Review: West with Giraffes
Happy weekend! This week’s book review is a historical fiction gem that makes a perfect escape into adventure. Lynda Rutledge’s West with Giraffes is an emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. I listened to the audio version, which really Read More
A Different Kind of Pause
Squirming into clothes in a fitting room at Nordstrom Rack, finally resigned to buy shorts a size bigger than last summer, I look into the mirror and see my sweat-covered face sporting raccoon eyes from the crappy non-waterproof mascara I bought to save a few bucks. A snapshot of my life these days. It’s funny Read More
Weekend Book Review: If This Were Fiction
Continuing my weekend book review series, I’m choosing If This Were Fiction: A Love Story in Essays, by Jill Christman. These beautifully illuminating essays are about motherhood, laying ghosts to rest, embracing grief, and most of all, love. Love for Jill Christman’s long-ago fiancé, who died young in a car accident; for her children; for Read More
What Not to Say
I recently attended a gathering with extended family, many of whom I’d not spoken to in years. A lot of families find themselves lives and miles apart, once the matriarch and patriarch have passed away, and mine is no exception. When we do get together, conversations often feel arbitrary or surface; how do two people Read More
June’s Word of the Month: Pause
The typical school year is a long, steady race to the finish line; most teachers take some time in June to pause. I chose the word Pause, even though I am teaching summer school for most of the month, because this time of year contains some space, a pause to rest and reflect, nap and Read More
Weekend Book Review: Wholehearted Faith
Last weekend I began my weekend book review series, and if you missed it you can read it here. Today, I’m choosing and highly recommending a wonderful Christian non-fiction book I read by Rachel Held Evans called Wholehearted Faith. Happy reading! This Week’s Pick: Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans Genre: Christian non-fiction Page Length: Read More
May Intentions Update: Late Bloom
It turns out, May wasn’t the full bloom I expected. Instead of a realizing of potential and an unfolding of energy, the month became more of a frustrated attempt to progress. The blocked sun made me hide my head rather than fully flower. Yet like so many things, it ended in a late bloom. As Read More