September 5th, 2022 When I saw the State Fair water tower on the horizon this year, the nostalgia hit me harder than normal. Instead of a general flavor, nostalgia tends to get colored by people whose loss feels recent, like yesterday, even though they’ve been gone, say, nearly two years. It got me thinking aboutContinue reading “For You or Not For You”
Tag Archives: Childhood
Trauma Like Candy
August 25th, 2022 When I was growing up, my dad took us camping a lot. That meant a lot of s’mores, mosquito bites, boat rides, sunburns, worms pierced with hooks, hammocks, and campfires. On one particular trip, during elementary school break, I had become fascinated with the fire pit on the grounds. It was madeContinue reading “Trauma Like Candy”
We Will Meet As Strangers
August 13th, 2022 You read the words again. You’re young and you fall in love with the story, the first and last time you will fall in love. The plot thrills, the characters sing, the words pierce and they cut and they dig and find a place in your soul, creating a permanent home there.Continue reading “We Will Meet As Strangers”
No Judgement
August 11th, 2022 “Most of the things we love are the things that embarrass us,” wrote Helena Fitzgerald. It is terribly true, and I would add: the things we love THE MOST are the things that embarrass us, and the things that embarrass us tell us the most about ourselves and each other. I likeContinue reading “No Judgement”
Everyone as Puzzles
August 5th, 2022 A life’s journey is puzzling. I’ve made that idea near-literal. When you’re in recovery and an open book, people love to ask you about the ugliest parts of your story. “So what was your rock bottom?” I have never been fully comfortable with that phrase, at least when it comes to howContinue reading “Everyone as Puzzles”
What’s in a number?
August 2nd, 2022 Today, a friend asked me a great, big question: why? And how? Why am I a writer? How did I know I was a writer? Why and how am I the person that I am? And being put on the spot is wonderful, because you don’t know what you’re going to say,Continue reading “What’s in a number?”
wEiRd
July 25th, 2022 I have an obsession with the word “weird.” It’s not one of those inexplicable things. I know why. The ASL sign for the word “weird” is to take the letter W and crawl it across your face horizontally. Go ahead, try it. I’ll wait. You look incredibly silly but I love it.Continue reading “wEiRd”
Happy Brushfourth of July
July 4th, 2022 “Brushfire exists to reveal and respect the truths of the universe, and to protect and provide for all of its inhabitants.” I had to find a new way to celebrate the 4th of July, y’all. For most of the people I know, freedom — religious, personal or otherwise — does not existContinue reading “Happy Brushfourth of July”
Happy 60th
May 31st, 2022 My mom’s birthday is today. She would have been 60. I’ve been real stressed because life is a stressful place but there is a thought that’s giving me peace. When people talk about what their loved ones are doing in heaven, it is often something boring. Like, “I know grandpa is upContinue reading “Happy 60th”
We Are Not Shields
May 25th, 2022 Let’s give all the children guns. The people who have guns, who love guns, who make money off guns, are absolutely unwilling to do anything about guns, so the only solution I can think of is arming each and every child who has to enter a school building. If you’re thinking, “That’sContinue reading “We Are Not Shields”
The Den 