❤ Thank you for stopping by and for supporting writers! ❤ — About me: Contemplative teacher & writer. M.A. English // M.S. Kinesiology, Integrative Wellness Critically-acclaimed writer, published by St. Martin’s Press, Penguin/Viking, PillowFort TV, and more Professor of English and Creative Writing, over 15 years; pre-K, middle school, high school, and college teacher, over 22 years ACE-Certified Wellness Coach and Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)…

For myself, and for you. — To the jasmine first, then to the lilies. Whisper to the tomatoes: Did you know already? Did you know before me? The bougainvillea are hardy listeners. The jacaranda won’t judge. They’ll say: What a beautiful way to be — some days purple, some days green. The fig and avocados will…

It’s one of our core responsibilities, as parents, to hold space for such discussions, however uncomfortable they may be — A few days ago, I was talking to a few of my parenting friends who all have kids between the ages of 8 and 15 about talking to our kiddos about the end of Roe v. Wade. …

I am bruised and aching, but I am trying to ground myself before I wake up my teen child to the news — From the New York Times, Friday, June 24, 2022: Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade The decision, eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion after almost 50 years, will lead to all but total bans on the procedure in about half of the states. From Forbes, Friday June 24, 2022: Clarence Thomas: Court Should Reconsider Gay Marriage, Birth Control Decisions Next After Overturning Roe

To dye or not to dye? That is the question — Over the past few months, I’ve delightfully creepified nine horror dolls — and I’m in the middle of working on two more (and there are more waiting their turns!) With that, I’d like to walk you through my steps as well as offer some tips in case you decide that…

Tuesday and Wednesday, October 10 and 11— Autumn Invitations: A 21-Day Daily Writing Journey — Today was rough, but I made it. Long day, memories of my mother on the 15th anniversary of her death, my kiddo still struggling with their migraines, nonstop weird and stressful appointments and frustrating tangles like losing my parking ticket and having to pay full price and meanwhile being beeped…

Monday October 10 — Autumn Invitations: A 21-Day Daily Writing Journey — Back at work today — long day, therefore a very short story in one photo. I had the window open while doing my morning practice. My cat started huffing loudly. Outside the window was another cat. They stared at each other for about five minutes. My kid thinks she was…

Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9— Autumn Invitations: A 21-Day Daily Writing Journey — I am progressing in my healing journey, and it is also slow-going, often frustrating and limiting, and a test of my patience. I was discussing the plans for the next few months (return to driving, work, responsibilities, etc.) …

Thursday and Friday, October 6 and 7 — Autumn Invitations: A 21-Day Daily Writing Journey- On Time, Change, and Memory — I scheduled this invitation for myself (and others) during this time, partially because it’s the most difficult time of the year for me — this week in particular. My father passed away on October 7, 1993 when I was seventeen years old; my mother passed away on October 12, 2007…