What I Learned (Or Relearned) About Writing in 2022
I’m always learning new things, and I’m starting to believe one of the best ways to keep using what I’ve learned is to write it all down. Otherwise I’ll forget, and life will have to re-hammer that lesson home again when I most need it. In order to avoid a re-hammering, I drafted this list…
Belgian-Style Moules Frites
I have always loved a big bowl of mussels since my first exposure to them as a teenager. I loved steamed clams as well, always dipped in a healthy (or less than healthy, depending on your perspective!) amount of clarified butter. When I lived in Hoboken, one of my favorite nights out was getting mussels…
On Writing Slow and Being My Own Anti-Hero
You know those dish soap bottles that have that little seal under the lid? You forget it’s there and try to get some soap, and no matter how hard you squeeze, nothing comes out. Then you remember and unscrew the lid, and there’s the seal, with its little edge to pull up. But they’re always…
My Word of the Year for 2023: Essential
Last year, in a rush of frustration and unexpected clarity, I chose “No” as my word of the year. It turns out that was an excellent choice, and it helped me to shape my year into something both constructive and manageable. It’s amazing what we can accomplish by giving ourselves permission to NOT do the…
Guillermo del Toro: Pinocchio
Like probably a lot of people, my first exposure to Pinocchio was via Disney’s 1940 animated film. I watched it as a child and didn’t particularly care for it––even as a little girl I had a strong dislike for characters that made obviously poor decisions. I also remember it being terribly sad. So when I…
One Image Every Day
Back in 2009 I did a 365 photography project. In a project like this, you commit to making one image every day for the year. It can be a pretty serious undertaking, especially if you’re a busy person or have a very routine life, and especially if both of these things are true. Both of…
Back to the Bloggin’ Life
Hello internet! Welcome (back) to my blog! I remember back when I first heard of blogging, in 2004. It was a new thing, this writing and posting and interacting on the internet, in your own space that didn’t belong to some big company, where you could talk about whatever you wanted for as long as…