Last week I noticed author Brené Brown posting some new downloadable graphics to commemorate the tenth anniversary of her book The Gifts of Imperfection. Immediately I decided I'd print out two of these and post one in my office and the other in the kitchen where my family can see it. I haven't (yet) read … Continue reading Releasing Ourselves from Shame
Of course, I remember where I was on September 11, 2001. I was home with my five-week-old son, and as the day ticked on, I became more and more afraid for his future. We now call this day Patriot Day. A patriot is defined as one who loves and supports their country. I've always loved … Continue reading Never Forget, But Also Pay Attention
I walked out in the morning to find the flowers I'd been nurturing shriveled on their stems, leaves drooped as if the plant had caught some sort of virus. I don't know what happened. Maybe a rabbit or an armadillo dug into the roots. Maybe the guy who sprays our lawn to keep pesty things … Continue reading Subject to Change
The landscaper said those shrubs were at the end of their life, recommended they be pulled out and replaced. That was six years ago. Yesterday I trimmed off a foot of new growth, lush and green with tiny fragrant white flowers. I let them grow in peace for five, seven, ten weeks between trimmings, as … Continue reading Persistent
I came across a thread on Twitter the other day by a history teacher named Seth Cotlar that I can't stop thinking about. Here's how the thread begins: The conservative freak out about the 1619 Project (of which Cotton is just the latest example) is not about history. It's about memory; about what parts of … Continue reading Re-Creation of History
Karen Pickell: Between 