March 31, 2026

I told Tom I've been writing a lot, and I guess I'm writing, here, now. Not exclusively. I just mean, here, now, too. 

I think a lot about what to write, and write a lot about what to think. I started filling up sketchbooks with drawings and ideas in third grade, and still carry a sketchbook with me wherever I go. I also carry a journal, now. And this laptop, and some other things, like my headphones (and headphone splitter, to share certain sounds with friends), umbrella (which is actually not in my back pack today... hm...) and usually a mug or cup of some kind. 

Today I have a mug my mother sent me. It has a picture of a turkey on it. The turket is standing upright, wearing a white shirt and green pants. He has two white shoes, and a blue hat. The right shoe, however, is on his head, and the blue hat is under his right root. He is standing in it, as if it were a shoe. On the opposite side of the mug is the following text, printed upside down: "Don't worry—I've got everything under control." In the bottom right corner of the drawing of the turkey, the signature says "Boynton". Sandra Boynton is an author who wrote some of my favorite books from childhood. Now, I don't know much else about her other than her name. When I saw this turkey, though, through the cardboard and plastic packaging, memories of laughing and learning to read came rushing back. 

I look at this turkey, smiling, with his shoe on his head, and remember part of myself that has been here all along, and think of my mother, who sees me, and knows how to make me laugh.