The Challenging Gift of Communal Living
I seldom get sick, but I’ve ended up in urgent care twice over the past month. The first time was for fever and body aches and fear of COVID-19, despite the fact that I’m fully vaccinated. The second time, just last week, was because of a wicked sore throat that I...
Inviting Chaos in Service of Improvement
Our house is in chaos at the moment. After living in the same place for longer than we ever have in our married lives, it’s time to replace the worn-out carpeting in the living areas and hallways of our home. (With the exception of bedrooms, the idea of carpeted...
Handling the Heat of Summer
Summer heat has arrived here in southern Arizona. The mercury is now hitting triple digits every afternoon. This is typical for summer, but the low desert climate does bring its challenges. My vegetable garden is populated with non-native plants (everything from...
Pondering Identity, Social Location, and Justice This Memorial Day
The past week has seen a lot of retrospective commentary around the year since George Floyd was murdered by a uniformed police officer while other officers looked on and did nothing. I’ve heard interviews with social leaders saying both that change has happened in the...
Desert Durability and Stunning Fleeting Beauty
Last Friday, a veritable feast for the eyes erupted in our backyard. Despite drought, our various cacti have proven their durability. One day after (and perhaps because?) our temperatures topped 100 degrees for the first time this year, we were blessed with multiple...
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