In Good Taste
A perfect skewer. A warm loaf of bread shared at twilight. A family-favorite cheese ball in a vintage bowl. The kinds of things that never go out of style.
Read MoreIn the Quiet Hours
What I have now isn’t the same kind of freedom I had in my twenties, but it’s a richer one, forged by love, loss, endurance, and a deeper knowing of what it costs to make space for yourself.
Read MoreOf Soccer Balls and Sacred Ground
I mark time by what’s happening in our backyard—the flowers in bloom, the worn patch of grass where my son kicks his soccer ball, the sounds of summer carried through an open window. Some seasons feel slower than others, quieter in ways I don’t always expect.
Read MorePassport in the Kitchen Drawer
Napoleon said, “An army marches on its stomach,” and so do I. My love of food has always shaped how (and why) I travel. From a clay cazuela in Spain to a copper pot from Paris, I collect kitchen souvenirs that bring the world back home, one meal at a time.
Read MoreThe Age of Almosts
Thirteen is an age of almosts. Almost grown, almost ready, almost sure. And parenting a thirteen-year-old? It’s like helping someone pack for a journey you can’t take with them.
Read MoreThe Signs of Spring
Chicago in early spring is a study in contrasts—soggy fields, gray skies, and kids playing soccer in thirty-degree weather, all while daffodils push through cold soil and robins reappear in backyards. A meditation on layered clothing, algorithmic daydreams, and the promise of sleeveless days just beyond the horizon.
Read More(AI &) I Wrote this Article
Writing is a search for truth—a challenge that every writer faces. While technology has introduced tools like spellcheck and AI, the heart of creativity remains deeply human. In this piece, I explore my experience using a custom-trained AI as a creative partner, not a replacement.robot
Read MoreLove Letter to the Man in the Middle Seat on AA Flight 2920
On a delayed flight, a grieving stranger sat beside me. I didn’t know his story, but I knew grief. In that moment, words felt impossible—so I offered kindness instead.
Read MoreIn the Quiet Corners: A Reflection on Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter’s presidency was often dismissed, but his post-White House years defined his true legacy—one of service, humility, and quiet strength. From humanitarian work to teaching Sunday School, he proved that leadership isn’t measured by power but by purpose. In an age of loud, performative politics, Carter’s life is a reminder that goodness thrives in quiet acts of faith and service. His legacy offers a map—not of grand ambition, but of what truly matters.
Read MoreThe Glow Is Enough
From a bare Christmas tree to messy cookie-making, I’m letting go of perfection to embrace love, laughter, and shared moments. Remembering that it’s not the decorations but the glow of connection that makes the season magical.
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