Field Notes
A New Tattoo: A Colon Cancer Journey | After The Colonoscopy
He doesn’t remember the ride home, though he reminded me of the directions the entire way. “Babe you should get over, you’re going to have to turn soon.” Even coming off anesthesia his directions are correct. I put him to bed. The best thing possible is sleep. Sleep to heal. Sleep to rest. Sleep to…
Read MoreThank God for Hemorrhoids: A Colon Cancer Journey | The Colonoscopy
After our house burned down we used this space to work out our thoughts, feelings, and to share our journey. We shared because no one should have to go through hard things alone. We hoped people going through similar situations would find our words and our transparency would help them along their journey. And they…
Read MoreMental Health Is A Lot Like Hiking | Part 2
PTSD is an absolute crap hole and it tosses copperheads and bisons and rolled ankles and injuries all over your mental health trail without warning or reason. (For better understanding of this analogy, please read part 1 of this post.) I was reminded of this last week with my first panic attack in three years.…
Read MoreMental Health Is A Lot Like Hiking | Part 1
I’m still learning that mental health is not a place you arrive or achieve or win. Mental health is the journey itself. Not to be too on the nose, but it’s the actual path, and it reminds me so much of hiking. I can do the work to prepare for a hike; exercise, build endurance,…
Read MoreHamilton & Our First Date in 2 Years
In May 2018 I saw Hamilton with my friend Brittany. I’d heard some of the music, I knew it was supposed to be amazing. I knew my American History loving, history degreed husband would love it. In 2019 tried to buy tickets for Bill and I for the 2020 show, but financially we couldn’t do…
Read MoreWhen Barbecue Brought Me to Tears : Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
This past weekend was the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, more commonly known in Houston simply as Cook-off. I did a little math and the first time I visited our team’s tent was 20 years ago. I was 16 and I had no idea that many of the people in that…
Read MoreInstagram Reel Trends, Cultural Appropriation and the History of US Italian Immigrants
There is a current Instagram Reel trend I’d like to talk about. Its set to a classic Sicilian tarantella, Che La Luna and the creators use a traditional (and stereotypical) Italian hand gesture through the whole reel as they list things that make sense to their situation… “Things that make sense in our large family”…
Read MoreYou Can Be More Than One Thing
This is something I’ve wrestled with since high school. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Maybe it’s been longer than high school. It’s probably been since whatever age people start asking you that question. I went to a high school for the arts and studied visual art. If you’ve ever seen…
Read MoreHow I Wasted My Vote
This is not a political post. You can put your guard down. Let me be VERY clear. The only wasted vote is a vote not cast. I repeat. The only wasted vote is a vote not cast. I’m not very vocal about politics. I feel like everyone else is yelling loud enough. However, I pay…
Read MoreOh Hey Pandemic
First off, it’s been quiet on here. I’ve been writing a lot on the side, things you don’t see, because, well, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, but that’s for a different post. Now we’re in a pandemic. And somehow watching my house burning down nearly 3 years ago prepared me a little…
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