Has my olfactory system betrayed me? Wandering the streets of Downtown Chicago after dark with friends, I suddenly catch a whiff of a familiar, yet unpleasant smell. “Why does it smell like skunk? Are there really skunks in the city?” I queried. (In my defense, we legit saw a red fox hanging out by theContinue reading “What Smells Like Skunk?”
Author Archives: annecreates
What White People Need to Hear About the Confederate Monuments
I thought this was old news, but apparently not. Newspapers are a long-forgotten medium in our modern world. But I happened to spot a copy of the New York Times in a moment of boredom and realized it’s still a unique source of connection to the world around us. A giant statue of General RobertContinue reading “What White People Need to Hear About the Confederate Monuments”
Guns Are Not Toys
A Poem Guns are not toys. Guns are not fun. Just look at all the harm they have done. My life is a mess. Improving, at best. I have no more demons to confess. Forever impacted By this event protracted. A smudge in my life that should be redacted. I went to prison While youContinue reading “Guns Are Not Toys”
Run the Mile You’re In
My new mantra for life as I learn to live in the present. A wise running coach once taught his marathoners that when the run gets tough, just run the mile you’re in. It’s such a simple metaphor for life, right? I mean, how much time do we spend ruminating about the past while simultaneouslyContinue reading “Run the Mile You’re In”
It’s 8:30 on a Friday Night. Do You Know Where Your Jesus Freaks Are?
A sad tale of witnessing. My daughter has just parked the car. We found a great spot next to the cart return at the grocery store. I’ve taught my girls a series of lessons in grocery shopping, and parking location is one of them. We step out into the cold, damp Virginia night air asContinue reading “It’s 8:30 on a Friday Night. Do You Know Where Your Jesus Freaks Are?”
Should I Keep a Flock of Cocks?
Ahem. That is a bachelor flock of chickens. Driving home the other day, I spotted this sign in my neighborhood advertising “free roosters.” It’s a conundrum for many backyard chicken owners. You buy a few chicks and some grow up to be roosters instead of hens. The problem is when you have multiple roosters competingContinue reading “Should I Keep a Flock of Cocks?”
A Gen-Xer’s Perspective on Surviving Early Motherhood
It takes a village I’m at a stoplight. I haven’t been driving alone since my baby was born, but I guess I must return to real life at some point. Guilt is my overwhelming emotion right now. Tears stream down my cheeks, and I wonder how they let me become a mother. I’m terrible atContinue reading “A Gen-Xer’s Perspective on Surviving Early Motherhood”
Pink Is the Color of Strength
It’s no longer a demure color for me I’ve learned so much about the color pink over the years. I don’t think of pink as delicate and demure. There is no name for pink like “blush” and “bashful” for me. Pink is a color of strength, and here’s why: My running team is called theContinue reading “Pink Is the Color of Strength”
Do We Shame Sex Because It’s Animalistic?
Maybe it’s time to change the conversation about sex I was thrifting the other day and found a book entitled The Secrets to Tantric Sex. The title alone made me blush. I looked over my shoulder to see who might be around, and, seeing no one to judge me for my curiosity, pulled the titleContinue reading “Do We Shame Sex Because It’s Animalistic?”
Quotable Quotes for $200, Alex!
Gloria Steinem edition I do love a good memoir, and I recently picked up a great one. Not only did I gain the perspective of a celebrated feminist, but also what it means to foster change by listening to others and gaining empathy. Plus I found a gem of a quote like this one: WhenContinue reading “Quotable Quotes for $200, Alex!”
Anne the Vegan 