we were in that dark forever—it seemed—and now we’re out and life is new and full of possibility, opportunity, do-overs. We can be bruised but healing and smiling. We can love everyone if we want. -Jennifer Jean Rattle June 22, 2021 When I’m disciplined enough to pull my eyes away from the time-suck that is…
Sunday Hike: Golden Eagle Trail
I went for a hike this weekend. Actually, I got out quite a bit. On Friday, I met up with a colleague and his girlfriend for dinner – after which we went to his friend’s house for a fire pit (where I quickly befriended a hefty pit bull named Tank). On Saturday I went downtown…
The Importance of Good Beginnings
The dog was amped up for the morning walk on Thursday – or maybe it was Wednesday. As soon as we stepped out the door, a squirrel ran across our path. I made Kimbrough sit and settle down, but when we started again, he was pulling and a little bonkers. I imagined fireworks of adrenaline…
Old Dog, New Tricks
Today was our first day of dog training – which was probably more about Matt training than it was Kimbrough training. For the pup… well, he did great and got way more treats than he would normally get in an hour. For me, I recognized some of my weaknesses and failures as a human being…
Slip Slidin’ Away
I know a womanBecame a wifeThese are the very words she usesTo describe her lifeShe said a good dayAin’t got no rainShe said a bad day’s when I lie in bedAnd think of things that might have been -Paul Simon “Slip Slidin’ Away” These are the things that seldom get said out loud – the…
Looking for Third Spaces
The daily struggle continues. It seems silly to call it a struggle (comparatively speaking). First world problems of privilege and comfort – finding time to read, write, exercise… feeling guilty because each evening I let chunks of time slip by. I wrote a little this weekend (mostly what’s below). I’ve exercised a few days in…
A Short Appreciation
that’s how it goes when your head and heart
are in different time zones–
you often don’t find out till tomorrow
what you felt today.
Guarding Time
I had just started to exercise when my dad called. I didn’t answer. I saw the little notification that I had a call. Then another one – he left a message. The guilt of not answering, the new obligation to call back…. it ate at me. I tried to focus on exercising and could feel…
Look at Me
Welcome to post number 499 – whatever I write and post after this post will be number 500. 500 posts and I still struggle to write everyday. 500 posts, and I don’t think I’ve gotten all that much better at being succinct or interesting or disciplined in my writing. 500 posts and I still can’t…
This Moment and the Next
He was a judge in Louisiana. For me as a reader, that one line comes loaded with assumptions. Absent additional context, I immediately thought white, older, perhaps a good ol boy, perhaps racist or I assume the story will have racial tensions and hints of southern gentility. I asked my friend Stacy to respond to…
True Dreams…
I’ve seen your hand turn saintly on the radio dialI’ve seen the airwaves pull your eyes towards heaven I spent way too much time listening to songs tonight (not that I ever mind listening to music) in search of those lyrics. The only line I could remember (vaguely) was eyes towards heaven. I could hear…
Expectations
This morning I had to consider the possibility that I expect too much from my dog. For the most part, he’s a good boy. In fact, when I hear other people talk about their pooch problems, my guy seems like a very good boy. When we butt heads, it’s usually on our walks. Again, for…