In Like A Lion

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys

The start of 2026 has been anything but gentle. The latest news is relentless, leaving many of us exhausted and angry. I'm reminded of the quote from Roshi Joan Halifax: soft front, hard back. Now more than ever, we need conviction AND compassion. 

Here are few findings from the week:

+ Writing is helpful in times like these. Speaking of journaling, I could not love Jen Garner more!

+ My first movie of 2026 did not disappoint.

+ Our go-to banana bread recipe that makes two loaves. One for you, one for your neighbor. 

+ I will never tire of hearing Patti Smith interviewed. 

+ Our attention is worth fighting for.

+ Lo-fi tune in a hi-fi world. 

+ Million dollar question: how much protein do women need? 

+ The prettiest little Etsy shop.

Year of the Horse

Blackwater Falls, West Virginia, January 2026

The fire horse to be exact! This sign is associated with freedom, movement, resilience, and independence. In Chinese astrology, the horse is spirited, intuitive, elegant, and deeply loyal — a symbol of progress. It’s about choosing direction over speed, trusting instinct, and having the courage to keep going, even when the path isn’t perfectly mapped out. 

Here for ALL of that in 2026. 

I’m also here for making better use of this blog—channeling creative energy and sharing things I find online that feel useful or meaningful. Because even with my love-hate relationship with parts of the internet, there are still some really good corners. I’ve had this space for nearly two decades. I’m ready to bring it back to life with more consistency while giving the middle finger to algorithms, content slop, and doomscrolling.

What this blog will not be: a place that tells you what you need, what to buy, what to wear, or what trends to follow, etc. etc. etc.

What this blog will be: a place to share book/movie/podcast recommendations, resonant articles and quotes, recipes I’m trying out, new music I’m listening to, and various other bits and bobs along the way. 

Knock yourselves out:

+ A Case for Beauty In A Fleeting World – oh how I loved this book and film!

+ We have to enjoy this, too. A great mantra for the uncertain and chaotic times we live in. 

+ Plant, Baby, Plant: Raise a Garden, Raise a Ruckus. Join the movement.

+ Appreciated these quotes by Bertrand Russell.

+ A simple chicken tortilla soup recipe for you to repeat all winter.

+ Can't get enough of this new tune. 

+ Seeing the Light In Each Other: a good podcast for the new year.

+ And another! Love that Robby Hoffman is getting the attention she deserves.

+ Be More Better. 

+ Completely absorbed in the monks and their Walk for Peace. Hoping to catch them in RVA next month!

This quote from Tara Brach really resonated: whatever you practice regularly will get stronger. Here’s to living into—and practicing—adventure, connection, joy, presence, time in nature, good health, abundant grace, and even more love.

Prayer for Cruel Times

Always grateful for Courtney E. Martin's words and thoughts.

Summer Hits

My first milkweed!

I've tried posting on here a dozen times since April but have either lost steam or been unable to concentrate. Lately, this is generally how I feel: tired and distracted. I yearn for simpler and slower times. 

Like many of us, I've been sucked into screens, news, and social media. (I know, I know!) It all feels so grim and scary. I'm desperately trying to find some kind of balance, but it feels impossible. I keep reading about how we aren't wired or made to ingest the constant onslaught of this much media and news on a daily basis. We all need a collective nervous system reset. And fast!

I've been tending to my literal and figurative garden where I can touch (a la Jack Kornfield). My vocation and flowers are two good things that bring me both joy and purpose. Reading, on the other hand, has been tough. I've started and stopped MANY books and so easily lose interest. One practice I've managed to stick with the past few months is journaling. This is in large part thanks to Suleika Jaouad's, The Book of Alchemy. I've so enjoyed starting my day using her prompts as inspiration to write.

On a lighter note, it's officially summer in our house. Millie and Rowe already had one week of art camp and another week in Richmond with my parents. We've been spending gobs of time at our beloved pool where the girls can swim, play volleyball and pickleball, eat ice pops, and generally roam free. It is childhood at its absolute finest.

Ok, now for a smattering of links that have been helpful, informative, or uplifting. Much love!

+ 5 ways to stay democratic when you're afraid.

+ These burger bowls were a huge hit in our house last week!

+ RIP Brian Wilson. This is my all time favorite Beach Boys song.

+ RIP Sly. This documentary was excellent.

+ Loved her sentiments on gardening. I wholeheartedly agree.

+ Highly recommend this conversation on finding faith in our future with the great Krista Tippett and Elise Loehnen.

+ New (old) purchase. Excited to go back in time. 

+ I think about this scene from Conclave often.

+ Poetry has offered a refuge from the chaos of our times. Here are a few poems for you: Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, RWT, Jane Hirshfield, Kate Baer.

+ Summer playlist.

+ I really want to see the documentary, Between the Mountains and the Sky.

+ I'm participating in On Being's series on hope. Another great excuse to journal and think!

+ My next read is Sleep by Honor Jones. Some other pool mommas are reading it together and will discuss it (poolside) at the end of June.

Back from Spring Break + a few hits

Back from a beachy AND snowy spring break in California! We spent the week exploring San Fransisco, Yosemite National Park, Santa Cruz, and Half Moon Bay. Yosemite was arguably more magnificent covered in snow. Plus, no crowds! While we didn't get to do too much hiking, we enjoyed the sites and time spent with friends. Thank goodness for a hot tub and pool table!

National parks hold a special place in our family's hearts. They offer opportunities for exploration, connection with nature, and a chance to appreciate the beauty of our planet. They are a source of wonder and a reminder of the importance of conservation and preservation for future generations. I cannot believe we are having to defend places like these right now. But here we are. Make your voices known. Protect our parks!

Now, for a few links:

+ I was deeply moved by Cory Booker's 25 hour stand-in. Highly recommend the documentary, Street Fight, which follows his path to becoming mayor of Newark. 

+ Stoop coffee, what a great and simple idea!

+ What's your community style?

+ A must listen conversation on parenting in the age of phones, tech, and social media. 

+ Agent of care. 

+ This looks delish.

+ This song was on repeat during our spring break travels.

Snow Days for Days

 

First but not last time at White Grass!

Grateful for a few fun distractions and micro adventures during these insane, anxiety-provoking times. I'm reminded of what truly brings me peace and joy in the world: friends, family, connection, the outdoors, and movement. I should say, I'm not putting my head in the sand about what's going on in this country right now. It's deeply disturbing to me and I'm working hard to find ways to focus on local issues and action items that feel somewhat manageable. 

With that, here are some links to distract/energize/gin you up.

+ Destruction and renewal

+ Rebecca Solnit's new enewsletter, Meditations in an Emergency

+ What can I do to fight this coup?

+ Our family LOVED this series, Queens on Disney. 

+ A beautiful song from the Queens docu-series.

+ Enjoyed this podcast episode on psychological richness. Shige Oishi used to teach at UVA!

+ Snow days call for easy soup recipes. 

Processing

+ Much is breaking. Much is being born.

+ I will always listen to a Bob Putnam interview.

+ Curtis Mayfield is a balm.

+ Order and disorder a la Richard Rohr. 

+ You're more powerful than you think. 

+ How to survive being online.

And another quote that spoke to me this week: 

"Looking deeply at any one thing, we see the whole cosmos. The one is made of the many. To take care of ourselves, we take care of those around us." –Thich Nhat Hanh, Cultivating the Mind of Love