Something Small Today

A short update, a reshare of a hilarious essay and two stone solid recommendations.

I like to visit unusual buildings. The former Catholic church turned into an event space + gallery. Strange! An unused conference center, one of the largest in the world. A former bunker that now houses a private art collection and home to the owners. And as I type this, I’m writing from a women’s prison→ boutique hotel. Beautiful.

This fascination is not unlike my writing which explores how the past never really goes away. I am curious about this past|present cord because we tend to assume what's done is done. It never is.

Today, I’m building something small from past pieces: a short update, a reshare of a hilarious essay and two stone solid recommendations to check out.

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I spent the better part of two days last week sifting through research notes, ideas, random sentences and questions related to the fantasy of healing from sexual abuse and the reality of learning something better. If you read my last piece, you know I’m talking about my memoir! I’ll draw on my own experience managing long term impact of past sexual abuse (specifically in pregnancy, postpartum, childbirth, intimacy), the science behind why trauma sticks around and how our culture contributes to ideas around forgiveness, healing and wholeness.

I was surprised at the pleasure I found in organizing these scattered bits. It felt like a wood thrush chirp, a bright signal this new path is the right one.

Regardless of the crumbling around me.

Regardless of how many people unsubscribe or remain indifferent.

Regardless of the mountains of untreated pain, stress and sorrow.

Photo by Anna Karp on Unsplash

In a recent newsletter

Deesha Philyaw

said this: “The world burns. And I have good news. I eventually made peace with these facts co-existing. Despite everything, we are still creating, we are still imagining, we are still here.” I keep repeating Deeshaw’s words back to myself. A blessing and a permission.

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Two years ago, I had my first colonoscopy. Aside from a horrible tasting drink and no food, I had little idea what to expect. Turns out, there was way more to consider than I’d imagined! I wrote a serious reported essay (yet to find a home, grrr!) that argues while colonoscopies are important, it’s equally important to talk about why - regardless of all the prevention messaging - more people than you would think will not get a colonoscopy.

But first I wrote the silly:

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→ BUT if you want to listen instead here’s me reading it. :-)

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Reading Recommendation:

Berlin street art photo credit: me

• Good Women by Halle Hill. Thank you

  Allison Kirkland
  for this one! Yes, another short story recommendation. I used to say that I wasn’t really a short story lover but this is the second collection this year that sucked me in. With the conclusion of each of Hill’s story I was left wanting. Mmmm, delicious! Not “wanting” in the sense of being confused or cliffhanger-frustrated but more wanting better for the protagonist. Read this collection if you want to move out of yourself and into “cheerleading for a stranger” mode.

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Recommended Link:

• Barbara Kruger has been one of my favorite artists since forever. Her “simple”, clear bold words about power and value are more important than ever. Here’s a rare but not new conversation via video with the famously private artist Barbara Kruger in which she talks about her influences and the idea of “availability” of art to people who are traditionally excluded from wealthy spaces like the art world. PS: The piece Kruger references in the video when she talks about offering her work to Planned Parenthood for their march is this:

  

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