Writing

A few weeks ago, I hit the wall professionally as two technical glitches prevented me from making money for a week. I did a mad scramble job search, found something I liked, but the training for it was more than I bargained for. In the meantime, all of my creative outlets have suffered in an … Continue reading »

Freedom has a cost. The trajectory of my professional life has gone from being a secondary math and science teacher to an independent contractor who writes, edits and sales insurance on her own schedule from home. Along the way, some companies I’ve worked for have tried their best to recreate sweat-shop conditions in my home. … Continue reading »

I’d never suffered from allergies until moving to Austin, TX. The first time I experienced severe allergies, I thought I had the flu. A friend gave me a clue about cedar fever. Using a combination of hot toddies and a neti pot, I recovered my voice and sinuses. A year later, I started going to … Continue reading »

Somehow I got it in my head that 2019 would be the year I moved out of my long-time apartment with its ever-rising rent and buy a place of my own. Despite the fact that I’ve been underemployed since exiting the classroom. Teaching had grown into an experience where I’d felt trapped. My hair thinned … Continue reading »

Whatever else I do in life, I’m always learning to be more comfortable in my own skin. Unapologetically comfortable in my own skin such that on the day when I’m too Black for some people and on the next day not Black enough, I’m OK on both days.  In an ironic twist, all Black women … Continue reading »

Nearly ten years ago when I moved to the Music Capital of the World, I thought I was allergic to beestings and had no problem with pollen. I’ve learned some things since then. There’s this seasonal Welcome to Austin condition known as Cedar Fever that makes newbies feel as if they’ve come down with the … Continue reading »

I first noticed the smell in the bathroom. Having just flushed minutes ago, I lifted the lid. Nope, nothing there but a damn near sparkling clean toilet bowl. Then I refilled my drinking glass with tap water and smelled it again. I brought the glass to my nose and there it was. I dumped out … Continue reading »

So, if I’m a straight, single woman who has her own money, doesn’t want children, but wants male companionship, why do men always fuck that up? I’ve already gotten over the fact that most men don’t read as much as I do or juggle as many interesting activities, but ever since I started dating when … Continue reading »

I love serendipity! I’d just picked up Robin DiAngelo’s book White Fragility from the library and out of nowhere, I got behind this truck for a couple of miles en route to yoga. It’s always shocking to see a display of conservative Americana in Austin although I know this city is a liberal island within a … Continue reading »

On a surprisingly cold December Thursday night here in Austin, a friend and I searched with our smartphones where we could find a decent nearby restaurant that actually served food and wine at 10 PM. After striking out both online and in person at one restaurant, which claimed to be open until 11 PM, but … Continue reading »