It’s a staple that has endured in my wardrobe, season after season. Not bec because it’s a trendy piece or one that’s been heavily promoted by fashion influencers,
May 2026 archive
Jean Rhys: Where the Outsiders Are the Only Ones Who Seem Fully Alive
I’ve been thinking a lot about Jean Rhys lately, and I’m not entirely sure why. Her writing doesn’t exactly resonate with me on an emotional level – it’s often described as detached, observational – but there’s something about her that fascinates me. Maybe it’s the way she captures the essence of loneliness in her characters, …
I Caught John Mercer Staring at Pandora’s Poetry Again
I’m making coffee, and Pandora is still asleep on the couch. Not fake asleep either—real asleep. Blanket halfway on the floor, one arm hanging over the edge, completely unaware of the world kind of asleep. Mr. Whiskers, our yellow tabby, is stretched out on the kitchen floor next to me, purring loudly enough to sound …
Muriel Rukeyser: A Woman Who Refused to be Extinguished (Mostly)
I’ve been thinking a lot about Muriel Rukeyser lately, and it’s not just because I recently finished a semester-long course on 20th-century American poetry. It’s because she was a woman who seemed to be constantly at odds with the world around her – and yet, in that same breath, she managed to produce some of …
The Gentle Art of Walking
As I step out into the crisp spring air, the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath my feet serves as a reminder that this most basic form of movement
I Think Mrs Jenkins Is Watching Us Closely Today
I’m sitting on the couch staring at Mr Whiskers while he lazily grooms one paw like he has absolutely nowhere to be. Pandora mentioned yesterday that work was going to be busy this week, but today she’s barely said anything. No plans, no hints, nothing unusual on the surface. Now maybe that sounds perfectly normal …
Michael Faraday: The Guy Who Was Like the Human Version of a College Student with Too Many Tabs Open
I’ve always been fascinated by Michael Faraday, the 19th-century English chemist and physicist who revolutionized our understanding of electricity and magnetism. What draws me to him isn’t just his groundbreaking work – it’s the way he approached science with a sense of wonder, curiosity, and humility. As I delve into his life, I find myself …
I Think John Mercer Borrowed More Than Just Sugar
I’m sitting on the couch staring at Pandora’s phone, and I already know I shouldn’t be doing this. I know exactly where this road leads. I’ve been down this road before. This is how normal people end up becoming weird people. This is how somebody ends up standing in their front yard three months from …
Djuna Barnes: When Desire Feels Like Exile
I’ve been reading Djuna Barnes’ autobiography, “Nightwood,” for weeks now, and I keep finding myself drawn back to her writing about her relationships with men. Specifically, her tumultuous affair with Thelma Wood, an American artist. There’s something about the way Barnes writes about desire, rejection, and heartbreak that feels uncomfortably familiar. As someone who’s struggled …
I Think John Mercer Is in on It Too
I’m sitting on the couch, staring at Pandora as she’s typing away on her laptop. She seems lost in thought, muttering to herself occasionally. I’m trying to focus on my own work, but I keep sneaking glances over at her. John Mercer is sprawled out on the other end of the couch, snoring softly. Mr …
Baruch Spinoza: The Uninvited Guest at My Existential Dinner Party
I’ve been reading about Baruch Spinoza for weeks now, and I’m still not sure what to make of him. On one hand, his philosophy resonates with me on a deep level—the way he talks about the interconnectedness of all things and the idea that God, or Nature, is the underlying substance of reality. It feels …
John Started Acting Weird and Now I’m Concerned
I’m standing in the kitchen trying to make breakfast while Pandora gets ready for work. I’m not really paying attention to what I’m doing. I’m just going through the motions. Mr. Whiskers is weaving around my feet and meowing loudly, demanding food or attention—probably both. John Mercer wandered into the kitchen a few minutes ago …
A Discerning Approach to Beauty: Evaluating a Moisturizer
For years, I accumulated skincare and makeup items without much thought, only to find myself overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. It wasn’t until I hit b
Margaret Fuller: The Unapologetic Outsider Who Still Haunts My Notebook
Margaret Fuller’s name keeps appearing in my writing, as if I’m trying to summon her spirit by mentioning it enough times. I’ve been reading her essays and letters, getting lost in the pages of “Woman in the Nineteenth Century” and feeling a strange sense of kinship with this woman who lived over 150 years ago. …
Mrs Jenkins Knew Something Before I Did
I’m staring at the fridge trying to figure out why Karen texted me yesterday asking if I could grab milk on my way home from work. The milk’s sitting there unopened right now. Which is weird, because I could’ve sworn she told me during lunch that she already picked some up herself. Unless she meant …
W.G Sebald: When Uncertainty is a Map
W.G. Sebald. I’ve spent countless hours reading his words, trying to untangle the threads of his writing. His prose is a labyrinth, and I’m still not sure I know my way out. At first, it was the odd structure that drew me in – the fragments, the anecdotes, the digressions. It felt like he was …
Fresh Fruit Arrived While I Wasn’t Looking
I’m standing at the kitchen window with a cup of coffee in my hand, staring across the yard at Mrs. Jenkins’ porch. Something doesn’t add up. Yesterday, she told everyone she was leaving town for work for a few days. She even complained about the drive and joked that her garden would probably die while …
Simple Skincare Cream Proves Less Is More
After testing numerous beauty products, I’ve come to realize that the most
effective ones are often those that have been refined over time, rather than hastily
Albert Schweitzer: Where Theory Meets Muddy Boots
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of sacrifice, and Albert Schweitzer’s life is a masterclass in it. The more I learn about him, the more I’m struck by his commitment to living out his values, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient they might be. Schweitzer was a German theologian, musician, and missionary who spent …
I Think Karen’s Hiding Something from Us
I’m sitting in the living room, staring at Mr Whiskers as she’s grooming herself on my lap. It’s a calm moment, but something’s been bothering me lately. I’ve been noticing that Karen seems to be avoiding John when he comes home late. She’ll quickly excuse herself and head into her room, leaving us alone. At …
Aphra Behn: The Patron Saint of Midlife Crises (or Maybe Just Me)
I’ve always been drawn to Aphra Behn, but it’s only recently that I’ve begun to understand why. As a writer myself, I appreciate the fact that she was one of the first professional female writers in England. But beyond her impressive resume – or rather, her impressive output, considering the era she lived in – …
I Think Our Cat Is in Cahoots with Mrs Jenkins’
I’m sitting in the living room, trying to focus on my math homework, but I keep glancing at Pandora who’s watching TV on the couch. She’s laughing at something on the screen and every so often she says “oh yeah!” or “ha!” but it’s not really loud enough for me to make out what’s funny. …
The Dark Side of Wellness Ambition
Some people take on an hour-long meditation practice every morning, only to abandon it after a few weeks when the initial novelty wears off. Others
vow to elim
Richard Feynman: The Unpredictable Genius I Want to Be (But Probably Can’t)
I’ve always been fascinated by Richard Feynman, the physicist who defied conventions with his unorthodox approach to science and life. As I reflect on why he holds my attention, I find myself drawn to the complexity of his character – a mix of brilliance, curiosity, and recklessness that both inspires and unsettles me. One aspect …
I’m Living With a Cat Who’s Clearly Running Psychological Experiments
It’s Saturday, which means John Mercer has been loudly arguing with something in the house for almost six consecutive hours. That’s just what Saturdays are now. Some people spend weekends relaxing, some people go hiking, and apparently I spend mine listening to a grown man scream at household objects like they personally betrayed him. Right …
Edith Wharton: When Duty Looks Like Desire in a Designer Gown
I’ve always been fascinated by Edith Wharton’s writing, particularly her novels about the social elite of her time. As I delved deeper into her work, I found myself drawn to the way she critiqued the societal norms that governed women’s lives during the Gilded Age. But what really resonated with me was her exploration of …
The Cookies on the Coffee Table Are Watching Me
I’m sitting in the living room, watching Pandora feed Mr Whiskers on the couch. She’s trying to get him to eat this new food, but he’s not having it. I notice that Karen texted me a few minutes ago, asking if we’re free for dinner tonight. I was going to respond, but Pandora just got …
Beatrix Potter: The Unlikely Rebel Who Escaped Through the Eyes of a Rabbits’ Rebellion
Beatrix Potter. I’ve always been fascinated by her, but it’s not until recently that I’ve started to think about why. Maybe it’s because I’m at a similar crossroads myself – fresh out of college, trying to figure out what comes next. I feel like Beatrix and I share some common ground in this regard. I …
I’m Starting to Think My Housemates Are Plotting Something
I’ve been trying to get used to Pandora’s schedule lately, and it seems like she’s always sneaking into the kitchen around 2 am. Last night was no exception – I woke up to the sound of the fridge opening and closed my eyes again, thinking it was just John Mercer getting a midnight snack. But …
Investing in Timeless Elegance, One Coat at a Time
I recall the day I acquired my tailored wool coat like it was yesterday. It had been a deliberate decision, one that capped off months of researching and evalua
Roland Barthes: Where the Fuzziness Never Ends
Roland Barthes. I keep coming back to his ideas, even when I’m trying not to think about them. His writing is like a puzzle I can’t help but try to solve. Maybe it’s because he makes me feel seen in my own discomfort. I’ve always been drawn to the way Barthes writes about ambiguity. He’s …
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