You might have realized we live in a patriarchal society, but I’m not surprised if you haven’t realized it. We’ve lived this way for so long that the effects have been internalized and adapted to our everyday life without realizing that’s an act of patriarchy. Almost every time I interact with people I see or... Continue Reading →
Seasonal Depression
Every year, I experience seasonal depression. After Thanksgiving, my husband heads off to hunting camp with a group of fellow hunters. It ruins my holiday high and leaves me feeling less than jolly. I feel an overwhelming quietness. Spending most of my days alone and writing means this is not an unusual occurrence; however, it... Continue Reading →
We are Capable
Well, this is overdue. After being hired and working as a customer service representative, my fears of the future were somewhat proven. I want to blame having a full-time job as my block to continuing my growth in literacy. It’s amazing how deflated my once swelled-beyond-capacity-mind feels shrunk to discombobulated thoughts and long pauses with... Continue Reading →
Let’s Be Trees
Like the snow laden branches of the white pines rooted in my mom’s property, I’ve felt worry, doubt, unacted hope—many snowflakes—overwhelm me to a drooped stupor. For several seasons, I lived through the snow and waited for glimpses of sun. I shaded the deeper parts of myself, so those snowflakes remained while I thought I... Continue Reading →
Amanda Gorman
This beautiful woman of 22 years wrote and read a poem that is going to stand with our American poet mentors and laureates. In honor of Amanda Gorman, I'm sharing her poem "The Hill We Climb." Personally, I think many poets would agree, listening to a poet speak their poem is immensely different than reading... Continue Reading →
Connections, Compromises, and Concord
Writers keep history, shape cultures, and evoke empathy. Some of those writers try to focus on releasing tension from their reality more than earning compensation for their words. Some elite writers share their ideas of history, culture, and empathy while receiving livable wages, yet I’m proud of all the writers. I’ve had success these few... Continue Reading →
Creativity’s Nontraditional Path
There’s uncertainty in how I want to live and how to do so. The uncertainty stems from the variety of perfectly sufficient ways to live a content and happy life. The decisions we must make to reach the outcome of satisfaction and happiness aren’t easily decided, accepted, or enforced, while life throws us curve balls... Continue Reading →
Tis the Season
The puppies had their first experience in accumulated snow. The first day it snowed, the snowflakes were light and still falling without accumulating on the ground. They barely reacted to it, which was a little disappointing. It was reliving in a way, though. They could deal with change. Never had they seen white flakes falling... Continue Reading →
Before It’s Too Late
The other day my husband and I watched the Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. It discusses how our phones and social media are addictive, and how we all see alternate realities online. When we finished watching, my husband said, “They should play that every year in schools.” I agreed. Since graduating college, I’ve learned that... Continue Reading →
What if
The puppies whined and pounced at me as my alarm went off Saturday morning. After snoozing it five times, I finally obeyed their wishes to feed them. We were alone (like usual as of late). If anyone didn’t know, every weekend after Thanksgiving marks the first weekend of rifle season for deer. My husband was... Continue Reading →
There is a Time
I watched The Andy Griffith Show with my husband during our junior year of college. I remember sitting in my grandmother's living room, and this show would come on that old TV, making it seem older than it was because the show was black and white in the early seasons. Anything that makes me nostalgic... Continue Reading →
Wedding Disillusion
After graduating college, I spent time editing old stories, but I mostly planned my wedding. My fiancé was a roofer, but he found a job in his field of study not even a month after graduating. As you can imagine, I was thrusted into the role of housewife and wedding planner. I think my fiancé... Continue Reading →
Consolidating the Home & Mind
When I was younger and told my play space was too dirty (usually you couldn’t walk in it), I’d grab armfuls of toys off the ground and pack up boxes to put them above the garage because that was where all the surplus crap went. I never looked at those toys again, yet we kept... Continue Reading →
Introduction to the Puppies
In August, I found two puppies online. It began with me being depressed from all the stress and scrolling through puppies for sale in the dead of night. I don’t recommend it. Thanks to COVID, all the puppies were both over a grand. I sent them to my husband’s phone for him to receive in... Continue Reading →
Something We Can Agree On
I used to think climate change wasn’t real. That went along with my ignorant phase, forgive me for not knowing any better and being an adolescent. I didn’t research climate change, and there weren't valid, trustworthy sources to give me information if I did read about it. It’s incredible how easy it is to find... Continue Reading →
O Job, Where Art Thou?
Since I’ve been jobless for nearly eight months, my job search motivation fluctuates. Now that I’m not as overwhelmed, I look several times a day. The problem is most of the jobs aren't what I really want, and I've already made that mistake once. The other day my husband and I watched the Netflix documentary,... Continue Reading →
A Year for Positivity
Quite a few events have occurred in my life over this year, and I’m confident we all could say that. I think the toughest part, perhaps you can agree, is not the events themselves, but the mentality that precedes and ensues each event. I entered 2020 feeling heavy with the weight the impending graduation, job... Continue Reading →
Why Major in English?
In fifth grade, a sweet girl from school bought me the first book I’ve ever been somewhat excited about: Twilight. We were in the same reading class together; the class that struggled to read fast enough for standardized regulations. Our reading tests only consisted of reading as many words as we could before the timer... Continue Reading →
Why Blogging?
After a rocky finish to a fairly successful college career, I searched on Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter everyday for jobs that pertained to writing (as long as they weren't writing truck routes and loading plans). If you're wondering how that went, I'm still looking. I applied for a website content writer (it was a... Continue Reading →
Who am I
I'm a stubborn woman, who can be swayed. I'm levelheaded and open-minded. I'm fiercely fiery and an aspiring sweetheart. I'm tempted by my emotions and as misunderstood as those I misunderstand. What I'm saying is, I'm a walking contradiction, and I don't think that's extraordinary. I change everyday. There are some things that remain constant,... Continue Reading →