Living a silly little life and mastering the art of enjoying the small things, I’ve reconstructed my life over many years, and now I find fun in almost everything. I try to say yes to as many opportunities as I can. But once in a while, I do have regrets. If I recall the lessons,... Continue Reading →
Packing Lists: Evidence of Change
Packing, Then and Now A friend recently asked for advice on packing for two weeks in northern Europe. Seems simple enough, right? Except... I’ve traveled so much that I have a Google file of packing lists — one for every possible travel scenario. Hotel overnight? Got it.Two months in Greece in the summer? Obviously.Two weeks... Continue Reading →
Sold a Beret and Learned Some Lessons
I sold a beret on Facebook Marketplace. I’d had it for a very long time and only wore it a few times. This particular brand sells new for anywhere between $60 and $95—wow! I picked $20 as a fair price, and a buyer reached out quickly. I told her to come by after 4:00. The... Continue Reading →
Let Me Explain
When I first started blogging, I had no idea what my focus would be. I read all the advice — endless lists of what I should do: find a niche, choose a category, define a purpose. Travel blog, wellness blog, creative blog — the suggestions blurred together. I didn’t know how that focus would find... Continue Reading →
A Note on the Risk Vs. Reward of Honesty
I have readers overseas. My cousin is one of them. She got a copy of My List, My Rules last year (tap the title to check it out), and this year while I was visiting, we chatted about it. She loved it—I’m glad. But she also asked a very interesting question that no one else... Continue Reading →
Look Up
I was leaving school. It had been a long day. There was a lot of cleanup and correcting to do in the art studio at this old school. The burden of my backpack reminded me I still had work to finish. I pushed open the door, having spent the entire day inside. A warm breeze... Continue Reading →
Coming Back Again and Again
I’ve lived a life full of pauses—gaps between experiences. Friends scattered across the world I wouldn’t see for years. Weeks away from home, then returning to my people. Long breaks from work—the nature of teaching means stepping away from the building, the students, the rhythm. And every time, I’d feel a bit nervous about the... Continue Reading →
Save the Bees
I have a peony bush in my backyard with about fifteen giant, soft-pink blooms. Every morning on my way to the car, I stop to sniff them—because really, isn’t that the best way to start the day? It's the small things in life One morning, I leaned in toward the biggest blossom. Peonies aren’t just... Continue Reading →
Show and Tell A Social Media Struggle
I hate show and tell so much that I’ve even stalled making a post about it for fear of resolving it and then having to show and tell! How messed is that? I’ve realized I have a massive resistance to posting on social media—especially TikTok, but really, any reel. It’s got me wondering: why am... Continue Reading →
War Correspondence
I'm part of Postcrossing (https://www.postcrossing.com/), an online community for people who love sending and receiving postcards. It’s a small but meaningful way to make the world feel kinder, friendlier, and more connected. I joined while working on a personal goal list—it felt like the perfect fit for me: traveling, writing letters, and forming connections. I... Continue Reading →