In My Ideal World (Tanka)

In my ideal world… My water bottle Would always be icy cold And so refreshing. It simply tastes best that way. A small, significant change.   In my ideal world… We wouldn’t shake hands. We’d clench our fists and gently Touch them together. No more sweaty, dead fish hands. Greetings would be casual.   Casual clothes,…

I Remember #2

I remember weekly poker nights that lasted long into the night, fueled by sparkling cider and laughter. I remember how unashamedly I lay my head down and power napped in the library before starting the essay that seemed impossible. I remember choking on irony and tragedy as the vet told me she’d finally feel relief…

I Remember #1

I remember looking under the dining room table and finding a pastel basket filled with ten dimes, a handful of jellybeans, and a package of Peeps. I remember taking a wrong turn and preparing to fend for myself on the freeway on-ramp. I remember being his manic pixie dream girl. I remember silent tears dripping…

Portland Lovin’

One of the best things about Portland is the warm, laid-back summers. Concerts and festivals featuring talented, interesting people make for exciting weekends. Portland summers are filled with variety, good times, and love for this brilliant city. This photo is part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Summer Lovin’. It also relates to another photography series I’m…

Split-Second Alhambra

History is all about stories: successes and failures, heroes and villains, happiness and tragedy. Traveling is the best way to see how history affects present-day stories. These photos are from La Alhambra in Granada, Spain. It is considered one of the most significant examples of Islamic architecture in Spain and has inspired various works of music and literature. Yet instead…