Adult Swim
There in the grass just off the sidewalk was an empty bird's nest, intricately woven from twigs, grasses, and whatever else a determined mother could gather. It was sturdy, beautiful, and unmistakably empty.
Read MoreThe Art and Labor of Making Home
In the 1990s, when I was figuring out how to “make house”—starting with roommates and then with my first husband—Martha Stewart’s Omnimedia was in full swing. The “Upscale Domesticity” phenomenon was everywhere, and Martha was the walking, talking, flower-arranging face and voice of the brand. I was a devotee. I subscribed to Martha Stewart Living, saved recipe cards, collected cookbooks, and pored over seasonal offerings like Martha Stewart’s Homemade Christmas.
Read MoreMen Behaving Badly (and the Boys Watching Them)
For every insecure, orange-tinted man whose only feeble-minded defense is name-calling female reporters, I hope my boys see how their incredible teachers model patience and grace and show up with empathy and enthusiasm every day. How they build up their students and demonstrate respectful dialogue between classmates, helping make our school a safe place for everyone, no matter which boxes they check on census data sheets.
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Power Down, Start Again
About once a year, I scroll through the last few weeks of emails, maybe a month’s worth if I’m feeling ambitious, and then: delete all. Thousands of unread, unimportant, outdated messages vanish with one click. Is it a permanent solution? No.
Read MoreSomewhere You Feel Free
Here’s how I always pictured it:
I’m downtown, meeting someone for lunch or something at the Art Institute, and since I arrived early, I duck into a coffee shop for a little treat. As I reach for the door, it opens, and there you are. You’re holding a cup with a tea bag hanging out the top, and I remember, not for the first time, my disbelief that you never liked coffee. But all the same, there you are.
In 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 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 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 MoreCranking Up the Past
A nostalgic ride through the soundtrack of teenage freedom—convertibles, late nights, and Rob Base on repeat. Sharing these songs with my sons, I reflect on the magic of music, its power to connect generations, and the joy of watching my boys create soundtracks of their own.
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