“It is a privilege to learn about racism instead of experiencing it your whole life” (Ahmed Ali). In eighth grade, my beloved honors English teacher, Ms. Jimenez (or, “OJ“ as she let us call her, an acronym for her first and last name) taught me one of the most important lessons I ever learned. We…
Thoughts & Things
Come, walk along my story. Sit down for a cup of tea. Ponder on life’s mysteries. Share my thoughts & things. When I consider the deepest wishes of my heart, it’s the hope to change the world. In a small way. Or maybe a big way. Or just in my own way. It’s to use…
Unknown.
It’s been three years since I’ve written publicly, but I didn’t stop writing. My journal has been a faithful companion as it’s seen me through a new journey- a demanding but rewarding career change, watching my daughter blossom into a 16-year old girl with a driver’s license, boyfriend, and part-time job. My journal has kept…
Coming home.
When you flip back through the many pages of the journals I’ve kept over the years, from time to time you will find a page or two left blank. These pages represent a pause, a breath. Preceded by a significant ending, and (often in hindsight), followed by the start of something new. You’ll find these…
May Reading List
May was a busy reading month. Here’s what I read: Several of my favorite authors have quoted passages from this book. This book helped me create a plan for the memoir I’ve dreamed of writing for years. One of my favorite quotes: “If there is one door in the castle you’ve been told not to…
March & April Book List
Blogging has been on the back burner as I’ve been focusing my writing energy on my memoir! I’m 20,000 words in and it may just be (in Anne LaMott’s words) a shitty first draft, but the point is that the words are there, and they are mine, and it feels terrifying and challenging and so…
Mothering.
My daughter had a bit of a breakdown last evening. She misses school and she misses her friends and she is afraid that things won’t ever return to normal. Many of her friends are going through hard times at home, and she is brimming with worry and fear and feelings. She tries to be stoic…
February Book List
Covid-19 is on the top of everyone’s minds. Travel bans have begun, employers are asking workers to log in remotely, and schools are closed. My middle school aged daughter was so disappointed today to find out her band tour to Disneyland is being cancelled, but her spirits lifted later in the day when she learned…
May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
It’s a perfect Spring Sunday in Arizona- the breeze prancing through my open window, making my bedroom curtains dance. It’s a slow, steady afternoon and I vacillated between getting outdoors into the sunshine and curling up in bed with a cup of tea, my book and my writing (obviously the latter has won). There will…
January Book List
I began a big long post to dive into the 50-some books I read last year, but it got overwhelming and it’s 2020 now and we’re moving forward, not backward. So here’s my little list of January reads and I’d love to know what else is on your list ! I love personal finance, development,…
Mary's Thoughts & Things 