Simple things I enjoy doing on a Wednesday night with a house to myself(in this particular order): First: open all the windows and doors Second: snuggle under a clean blanket, watching Failure To Launch Third: listen to Matt Nathanson’s new album (loudly) Fourth: put air-dried clothes in dryer Five: wash travel mug for tomorrow Six: smile […]
079
Dialoguing about a difference of opinion, asking a question and truly listening to the answer, answering honestly. Respect: whether you give it to receive it, or whether you give it no questions asked. I used to think respect was obvious: agreeing to disagree, thinking of the other’s feelings, not asking them to change. But, as with […]
078
Things I Learned On Vacation: 1. Not all vegan food tastes bad2. But a good majority does3. Marry a man who opens the doors for you4. Sometimes eight hours isn’t long enough5. Sometimes, it is6. Just because you really hate something, doesn’t mean it’s all bad7. Traffic is one of those “somethings”8. Only rarely9. We have […]
077
In my defense, I began the night as only fifth wheel. And there’s a difference between being the sole single person of eight and being seventh wheel: the former is reality; the latter is societal ranking. And we’ve all met […]
076
Wants versus needs.(yep; we’re here again) We want life to be easy, neat. You don’t? I do: I like Container Store sales and Alaskan springtime linen spray and dusted vehicle interiors. But I’m not convinced that’s what I need. (as I type this, a small part of me is dying) […]
075
Anyone who willingly jumps into the ocean, intending to lure a rumored 52-foot shark, protected in nothing but a metal cage… insane. But isn’t that the great thing about it, the great thing about pure dedication? Someone is bound to think you’re crazy. Do we have time to live a life anything less […]
074
This marrow-deep desire, so wretched it turns to fear. I believe them, that fear is rooted in want. I want this. I want this so much I tremble, afraid I might never get it; afraid I might. What I get: wanting something enough to fear it, a moving forward to paralysis from yet another fear that if you move one single […]
073
Yes, we met at a bar.We joked about baristas who spell my name “Marry” and Final Destination making us scared to fly. So tonight, we grabbed a beer. This was the most encouraging night I’ve had since Gordon. We talked.. mostly he talked.. about what it means to live and have integrity and keep promises […]
072
I hadn’t thought about it in a while,but hearing my parents talk about it withtheir friends her plan was to start her master’s in the falland move to Quincy it hits home like I was afraid it would as August approaches: this is not what I had planned. I know, I know: Life doesn’t […]
071
We’ve all been there: staring at the mirror in late May, fingers crossed that our winter hibernation didn’t ruin the impending bathing suit season. I’ve been there; […]
Mary's One Hundred 