What’s one thing you own that holds deep sentimental value? I have a lot of stuff around my house. Knickknacks, little treasures, souvenirs, books, shot glasses from around the world, gifts people have given me, photographs of people I love, and things that probably look completely random to […]
If you had to sum up your life philosophy in one sentence, what would it be? My life philosophy has always been pretty simple: Just do it. I’ll survive. Why not go for it? What’s the worst that can happen? But this past week, I developed a new […]
What’s something you’ve done that your past self would be proud of? Sometimes I wonder what my younger self would think if she could see me now. I think she’d be a little stunned. Maybe ask where the hell we got the money for all this. (Poverty has […]
Who is your favorite cartoon character? I have often alluded to my love of Scooby-Doo. Let me be clear. Scooby-Doo was not merely my favorite cartoon as a kid. It became part of my vernacular. The Mystery Machine. The gang. The ridiculous disguises. The haunted mansions. The inevitable […]
There are some losses that feel strangely personal, even when you never knew the person. Dolly Parton is one of those for me. My mom loved country music, and we listened to Dolly together all the time. She was funny, wildly gifted, unapologetically herself, said it like she […]
I’ve been feeling nostalgic lately, which is dangerous because nostalgia has a way of making absolutely ordinary things from childhood seem magical. Today I saw a kid who looked about seven or eight years old carrying a shiny new iPad, and it sent me straight back to elementary […]
There is a word (because of course there is a word) for when life doesn’t just happen to you, but slowly organizes against you with your quiet, unknowing participation. It’s called zemblanity. Which sounds like a country you don’t want to vacation in. Or a skincare condition. It […]
What’s a mystery from your own life that you’ve never solved? I’ve been “resilient” for as long as I can remember. Not in the cute, inspirational poster way, with a lotus flower rising from mud. But in the quiet, clinical way adults say it when they’ve decided you […]
What advice would you give to your teenage self? If I could sit across from my teenage self (probably on a twin bed with mismatched sheets, dramatic sighs, and a notebook full of Very Important Feelings) I wouldn’t tell her to change who she was. I liked her.She […]
Growing up, I was told in no uncertain terms that you had to wash your hair every single day. This was not presented as a suggestion. This was gospel. Daily hair washing was right up there with brushing your teeth and saying thank you. You didn’t question it. […]
