A couple of days ago, I clicked the small ornate letter T on my iPhone, as I do most mornings, and ran my finger down the appealingly slick surface, scanning the headlines in my New York Times app. Sick of the elections, racial tensions and ongoing police dramas, I kept scrolling, taking note of items... Continue Reading →
New England really knows how to die. I grew up in Texas where the leaves on the trees slowly, slowly, slowly change from green to boring brown, maybe with a tinge of yellow if you're lucky. Summer sort of oozes into fall. There's no big physical transition from one time of year to another; just... Continue Reading →
They say things come in threes. This time, three talented, funny, sweet guys I cared about—all in their early 40s, all musicians—are gone within three months. I manage a number of social media accounts for my job, so when I check Facebook, I’m genuinely not wasting time at work, usually. But as many know, company... Continue Reading →
I am not a morning person. But I have dogs, so even on weekends I am up by seven or so in order to take them out. Often, I am still wearing pajamas when I leash up the pups, so I sneak off the front porch to the side of house where the neighbors can’t... Continue Reading →
Our friend Cassie found the four-year-old tri-colored low-rider at a pound in Nashville. She sent us pictures of him with his big warm brown eyes looking up at her through the metal bars of his kennel. The dog looked happy despite his confinement, and we were immediately smitten. My husband Peyton and I had talked... Continue Reading →
The amazing Anne Lamott has often referred to what she calls “radical self-care” in her writing, which she defines as water and clean sheets. In doing so, she reminds us, and perhaps herself, that even the very small things make life that much more livable; hydration and a nice bed do indeed go a long... Continue Reading →
The deer traffic here, The deer from the forest With their considerable bodies, they cross, stepping Soundlessly through camp, As if possessing some magic Over mounds of brown dry leaves, littered fallen branches Without a crunch or snap, without even a sigh Though the dog occasionally catches A whiff, her snout arching upward, on the air Apparently, they have a scent undetectable... Continue Reading →
On my 43rd birthday, I woke up and looked in the mirror at my year-older self. I had a new giant, bright red pimple, worthy of a pizza-devouring teenager, the kind even cover-up can’t truly mask. When I went downstairs to fix my lunch, the big, fat avocado I had hoped to eat, one that... Continue Reading →
I’m not finished with grad school, though this is technically my final submission. So I guess I’m pretty damn close. Yikes. I already turned in my thesis and even sent it to print. I have a reading and a party on Friday followed by a champagne toast the following Friday and official graduation the Saturday... Continue Reading →
Kyle Semmel, who goes by K. E. Semmel professionally, is the kind of guy who works to make other people look good. I get him, as this is very much the way I’ve often felt about myself and my day job, where I scrutinize projects to make someone else shine while I stand in the background.... Continue Reading →
True Scrawl 