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“It’s amazing how the cheesy quotes we say in my twelve-step program are actually profound, if you think about them.” My friend smiles sheepishly at me after saying this in the café where we sit together. The phrase floats between us. One day at a time. Ha. Easier said than done. If I were honest, I’d say I try to live a week’s worth of life…
I'll get this confession off my chest right now. I…*cough cough*…follow rules. I don’t mean some of the time, or most of the time, but practically ALL of the time, I observe instructions and adhere to the guidelines set out for me. Real life example: I posted a just-for-fun quiz listing a bunch of things I might have done at a writer’s conference and asked which…
A book, an open air market, and a serious discussion with my mother all held equally valid stances as “learning time” in my childhood. I remember hearing from very early on that I was “always learning,” and I believed it. Nevertheless, after completing my undergrad degree, I felt that there was so much stuff I didn’t know, especially when it came to the practical side of…
Push aside blankets in the dark cozy corners and snuggle up to the window. Exchange your black wardrobe (I’m talking to you, Seattle!) for lighter-colored, or at least colorful attire. Allow yourself an iced version of your favorite caffeine stimulant, even if the weather’s only a smidge warmer than usual. Listen to Celtic, Folk, Instrumental, and Swing style music—it will make you want to go outside,…
The pile lies before me in a daunting mountain as I sprawl on the carpeted floor of my office. The papers glitter with patterns and textual swirls the decorate years and years worth of notes. I must face the truth: The time has come to part with precious things I've stashed away. I am a pack rat when it comes to preserving pieces of the written…
James and I have discovered the sex of our baby. Ya’ll ready for this? As I prepared myself for this ultimate reveal—this all-defining moment—I realized the enormous importance my society places on gender. I have a pregnant cousin who’s choosing to not to peek at her baby’s sex. She told me that the question, “Do you know what you’re having?” irks her. She wants to answer,…
Sleep, little child, and dream for me Dream me a white-plumed apple tree All a-bloom in the early spring Dream me a song to sing -“Apple Tree,” Songs from Dreamland From lullabies to We-Sing videos, I spent hours and hours of my childhood singing. I never forgot what I sang. There was collection of lullabies called Songs from Dreamland that my parents played on a cassette…
In this second post on my Creative Republic map, I have a few more creative territories of my mind to explore. Canyons-These are the dangerous and blessed places where I can chuck all of my discouragement and worries. I let them tumble into my canyons, then offer up a prayer, and walk away. I know I may never be fully rid of my doubts, but I’ll…
As most of you know, my pregnancy has been knocking the wind out of me—more literally, I’ve been an exhausted clump of hormones for the last few weeks and it hasn’t been pretty. However, I take this giant energy-drain to mean that the Child Within will be an awesome force to be reckoned with…and that still makes me smile. My firstborn isn’t the only thing consuming…
Since I've dubbed my world The Creative Republic, I thought I’d give you a peek at the map of my landmarks and favorite places. Mountains-In the distance rise the towering spires of the achievements I dream about. I yearn to climb them with quick and powerful strokes, but every day isn’t a mountain-climbing day, and sometimes I have to turn my back to them and stare…