Pretend You're Good At It

How To Do Thanksgiving (In Case I Die)

A letter to my daughter.

Nov 27 •

Pretend You're Good At Keeping House

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If you need support in accepting low standards, I'm your gal.

Nov 20 •

The Days Are Shorter and Darker

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Let's be joyful motherfucking lights for each other.

Nov 13 •

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Pretend You're Good At Poetry

Three poems I wrote. I'm not a poet. We'll see how this goes. 🫣

Nov 6 •

Take a Spooky Walk With Me

Let's stroll through the cemetery together and read headstone engravings.

Oct 30 •

Grief Will Find Its Way to the Light

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Guest writer, Beth, lost her mom to cancer when she was a teenager, but it would be many years before she learned how to grieve.

Oct 23 •

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Today Is Indigenous Peoples Day!

A roundup of stories and resources from an Indigenous perspective.

Oct 14 •

A reframing of what it means for me to feel disciplined.

Oct 2 •

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Follow along as I write a memoir about parenting, whether you are a parent or have a parent.

Writing a Book

Read the Opening Chapter of My Book!

Or listen along as I read it to friends around our fire pit.

Apr 24 •

That Time My Three-Year-Old Dropped the F-Bomb In Front of My Mom

Read an excerpt from somewhere in my parenting memoir. Who knows where it will end up.

Mar 6 •

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Sinner's Prayers, Alter Calls, and Animal Sacrifices

Read an excerpt from my parenting memoir's faith chapter

Feb 22 •

Pretend You're Good At Talking to Kids About Hard Things

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An MLK Day story + why I draw out the hard questions even when they're hard to answer.

Jan 15 •

"I'm sorry I was a bitch to you this morning."

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Read an excerpt from my parenting memoir's apology chapter

Jan 10 •

Why I'm Writing This Book

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Hint: Parenting is hard and we can't do it alone.

Nov 29, 2023 •

My Son Was Three Years Old When Our Family Dog Died

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Read an excerpt from my parenting memoir's death chapter

Nov 22, 2023 •

Pretend You're Good At Parenting

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I asked my friend what kind of parenting stories she'd like to read from me. What she said, and how you can add to the ideas pool.

Oct 11, 2023 •

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Get nerdy with me about the writing process!

Inspiration

Pretend You're Good At Poetry

Three poems I wrote. I'm not a poet. We'll see how this goes. 🫣

Nov 6 •

Today Is Indigenous Peoples Day!

A roundup of stories and resources from an Indigenous perspective.

Oct 14 •

Did You Know I'm Writing a Book?

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Why parenting is like making meat loaf.

Oct 9 •

Baby birds, anxiety, and Maggie Rogers. Plus: Ask me anything!

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Three Things On My Mind

May 30 •

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Explore these awesome guest writers and recommended newsletters! 👇

Guest Writing

Grief Will Find Its Way to the Light

Guest writer, Beth, lost her mom to cancer when she was a teenager, but it would be many years before she learned how to grieve.

Oct 23 •

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Pretend You're Good At Talking to Kids About Addiction

Guest writer, Katharine, shares about the ongoing conversations she has with her boys.

May 22 •

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My Career as a Drummer Was Over Before It Began

Guest writer Kevin Alexander grew up wanting to be “the music guy." He is, but not in the way he expected.

Apr 10 •

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For the Love of God, Don’t Call Me a Good Mom

Guest writer, Melanie, shares about parenting through trauma.

Mar 20 •

I Have the Body of an Athlete

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Guest writer, Kim, shares her Ignite Seattle talk on barriers to accessing athletic activities.

Nov 9, 2023 •

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Let Me Count the Ways

Guest writer, Jana, faces a long list of failures...and sees something new.

Nov 2, 2023 •

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Recommendations

Amanda B. Hinton

Never Retire: Living The Semi-Retired Life

Rocco Pendola

Middle-Aged Lady Mom

Shelly Mazzanoble

Elderberries

Avivah Wittenberg-Cox

Heretic Hereafter

Katharine Strange

My husband has (had?) colon cancer. These are stories about how we're coping (or not). 👇

Cancer Updates

A {Good News} Cancer Update and a {Bad News} Life Update

2024 looked at 2023 and said, “Hold my beer.”

Feb 11 •

Great News! Bryan's Cancer Treatment is Complete!

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Nov 13, 2023 •

Cancer Treatment Update #9 through #11

Plus a glimpse into Fred Hutch's Care Neighborhood approach that puts the patient at the center of treatment.

Oct 14, 2023 •

Cancer Treatment Update #7 and #8

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A treatment update, a test result, and a hiccup.

Sep 12, 2023 •

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