See, I'm on a self-study immersion in the English language and American culture so as to become a better writer. And my course is pretty sloppy and
Mapping: meeting what you need on the checkerboard of life – with art project
On the checkerboard of life, the right thing is finding its way to you, as you are to it.~ My Mom Artwork: No Title by the author 2024 I love
Mother of
I was out late last night at a concert with my teenager. Total bonding experience, and great to see how even punk and goth music can still send a
If it’s brown…
There's a bell in the bathroom at my mom's house. Like one of those "ring for service," bells that dings when you slap it. Because there's more than a
Band of Brothers
A few weeks ago, a solid, insightful, kind and loving man from my home town took his own life. I knew him a little, and what I knew made me like him.
The Helpers
On building trust and hope in a world we cannot control. Mr. Rogers said, when you are in crisis, look for the helpers. This is a good strategy for
Good Mourning
Originally Published Via newsletter on 8/5/2025 I've been thinking a of writing a series of good morning letters in honor of my mom, who was Yelp
Validation & Credentialing ~ Terms of Endearment for oddly-credentialed kin
I've been pondering the value of credentialing and validation for someone to get recognized for mastery in action, but have personally not chased
Nunsense
When I was 16, a defecting nun came to stay with us. She was young and full of verve and vigor. She had been running the church-y teenager hang
The Fairness Container
As a mom of a 12 and 15 year old, I often get to hear pissy words about fairness. Last week's rollick of a road trip, there were whining strains of
Democracy is a practice: how (and why) to do it.
No matter how outraged you feel, or how erudite your arguments against Social Security cuts, NIH cuts, Veteran's care cuts, National Parks pillaging,
Open Hope
Not everyone grew up with the privilege of taking Hope for granted. Hope is a thing of children, even in rough places. It's a thing of the
Nurse Maid Bird | Movie Mode
I shouldn't be happy when my 15 year old daughter is home sick, but I am. I delight in getting to take care of her because there are so few of these
A Prompt for Nature Knowledge
Some days I walk through the woods and wonder "what is nature telling me today?" The answers are always simple. Nature tells me that old
What are your Grace Goals today?
It’s Sunday morning in America1 and the texts from family & friends are coming in. “How can we get through?”“I’m freaking out inside.”“It’s
Orienting a Day
I love the term orientation. It's connected to my past and my future. And now all at once. The days I choose to orient around "love" or "hope,"
Deep Impact of words, asteroids, and my dad
Or, taking a NASA mission personally Thanks NASA–Love me a fun 404 error.1 I have to admit, when The Deep Impact Mission2 ran an
Artist’s Confidential
AKA pulling apart a piece of art, with some web-weaving via inappropriate footnoting. This entire piece is about a rapidly made Instagram reel
Naming, Angels, and Missing Sisters
Can anyone truly see what's missing? It’s a paradoxical view. What's in a name? One of my teachers told me folks with the last name DeAngelis
Gail Force
Gail lived with us for several months when I was five years old. Gail was 15 years old at the time, an avid 1970s free spirit, a pot smoker, and
What is God?
I asked my 11 year old son on our walk this morning, after a long ramble through the woods where we talked about the philosophy of cross country
Protected: when ‘us’ turns 20
This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password:
When libraries love you back
I have always loved libraries. Actually, take that back. I used to be afraid of libraries, but now I love them. Growing up on a small island, I was
toney atone: my family goals
There are a few things I've been saying to my family, hoping they'll see things I see as problems and make "us" feel better. No one has wanted to
unsolicited something for ya
on Vulnerablity, Shame, and Energy Exchange Dear Young Adult, Last night you said that you felt I shamed you when I pointed out bad posture,
Shortcut to Autopilot
A few times in my life, I discovered a tool so powerful, that it's use alone was enough to reach a goal. From about 15 on, all I've really wanted
“getting it” by being grounded
Hi T & O! Hey, you totally don't want to hear a lecture from me, but I have so much to tell you before I get too old, or confused or can't
See something, say something
My mom has always been an awesome writer. She went back to school when I was 10. Her professors fawned over her writing which raised money, started
Stretched Thin – Christmas Wishes
"I’m stretched too thin!" I’m pretty sure I’ve been saying this to anyone who would listen, including playing this complaint on internal repeat
delaborate
Odin: so I was working on my narrative at school, and it was long, so I decided to delaborate on the spaghetti. . #Odinisms #ProudMom
How to take a mental health day
skip to steps Today my 8 year old son and I took a mental health day. This was at my suggestion after he'd run into a frustration-styled brick wall.
Odin’s Bones
It’s funny, I was out for a walk and thinking about Odin’s leg. How the one that was broken is longer than the one that didn’t get injured. The
A message to my son on Mother’s Day
Hi O! You are four now, and not one for lengthy or deep conversations, but there are so many things I want to say to you, so I'll write them now.
Message for my daughter on Mother’s Day
Hi Tas, This morning I was in the bathroom and saw our little message chicken (you know, the one with a set of little papers with nice sayings on
Tasslenisms: part one
Words from my (now 5 year old) daughter. see also Tasslenisms One ♥ Tasslenisms Two ♥ Tasslenisms Three ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Tasslen: I'm so excited for
Grandpa
Henry John Turrisi was Sicilian, which means I am too. Which means I have Italian blood, and come every so loosely from some of the biggest
