Writing Thoughts
Writing a novel (yes, another)…
I recently discovered trivia night at one of our local bars in town and the timing couldn’t be better. Many years ago, I read an essay by Orhan Pamuk, a Turkish writer. He talked about the loneliness of the writer’s life. In the … Read More >>
Madison Monday
Madison Monday: Six Courses…
Caprese-style bruschetta Coming back from Paris wasn’t easy. As a friend said, you can leave Paris, but Paris never leaves you. I haven’t written much about going to Paris because I’m afraid to wrap words around it. It feels … Read More >>
Sociological Thoughts
Sociological fatigue…
I’ve been teaching sociology for over ten years now, mostly in the same place, and I think it’s okay to admit at this point that I am tired. Which is not to say that I’m quite ready to go find something else to do, but tired enough to … Read More >>
Mindful Thoughts
Ross Gay’s Book of Delights
I’ve been reading Ross Gay’s new essay collection, A Book of Delights and I can’t recommend it enough. Gay decided to start writing a small essay about some delight every day for a year, starting on his birthday. This collection is the result. Gay lives in … Read More >>
Family Thoughts
Week of Winter Walking: Day Seven
As promised, Day Seven in my Week of Winter Walking takes us to sunnier climates, where my mom and dad are walking the beaches of Sanibel Island, Florida. Most years, I'm down there with them, but due to irreconcilable differences in spring break schedules (our … Read More >>
Nature Thoughts
What I cooked in June
June is the month of waiting in the garden, at least for me. The show-stoppers of summer vegetables--tomatoes and sweet corn--have largely not yet arrived. I spend a lot of time pacing the garden, looking for signs of the first ripe tomato. In the meantime, there's … Read More >>
Sociological Thoughts
Sociological fatigue
I’ve been teaching sociology for over ten years now, mostly in the same place, and I think it’s okay to admit at this point that I am tired. Which is not to say that I’m quite ready to go find something else to do, but tired enough to ask, what is it exactly that … Read More >>
Pop Culture Thoughts
Star Trek: The Next Generation turns 30 and this means I am old
Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered on this day, 30 years ago. Yep, thirty years. Which means I was thirteen when I watched the first episode and that I am quite old now. Let me reflect a bit on exactly how old I am. When Star Trek: TNG first aired, I was … Read More >>
Random Thoughts
The Great Macaron Experiment: Prologue
So there's life before you've tasted a macaron and life after you've tasted a macaron. I discovered this last November in Savannah, which seems an entirely appropriate place to cross the great macaron divide. I had heard talk of macarons, mostly from folks in big … Read More >>
Writing Thoughts
She/He/They/Me Cover Reveal and Dear Mr. Henshaw
Yesterday I got to share the amazing cover for SHE/HE/THEY/ME with the world. It is a thing of beauty! And, both the title and the subtitle rhyme, which makes me so, so happy. Like, verifiably happy. I read once that the sound of an alliteration (like, say, the … Read More >>
Madison Monday
Madison Monday: Stained-glass windows
Living in an old house in downtown Madison is a porous sort of way to live. The boundaries between you and the rest of the world are leaky. The outside seeps in and your inside drifts out. This can be good or bad. It’s bad when the screaming argument on the street … Read More >>
Most Recent Posts
Ross Gay’s Book of Delights
I’ve been reading Ross Gay’s new essay collection, A Book of Delights and I can’t recommend it enough. Gay decided to start writing a small essay … Read More >>
Madison Monday: Six Courses
Caprese-style bruschetta Coming back from Paris wasn’t easy. As a friend said, you can leave Paris, but Paris never leaves you. I haven’t … Read More >>
Writing a novel (yes, another) and the beauty of trivia night
I recently discovered trivia night at one of our local bars in town and the timing couldn’t be better. Many years ago, I read an essay by Orhan … Read More >>
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