Future Clogs & Such Things

Gray surface

Neighbors are great for impromptu chats, standing in the street with dogs, with trash bags, with full bottles of wine (I had a French neighbor once).

Dave noticed the pipes that had just shown up running along my fence, down the garden, and letting out onto the sidewalk.

“Ar … Read more...

Batten Down The Hatches

For the first time in 5 years, I didn’t write a blog post.

Nothing occurred to me. And when Sunday night rolled around, and I had nothing in the queue, I just sort of shrugged and wrapped myself in a blanket.

No real accomplishments to speak of. Not many thoughts. I’ve … Read more...

The Day After Today

Silhouette of golden gate bridge during golden hour

The dark cloud has been over us for so long, I think we’re used to it.

Even when it’s sunny, it’s not really as sunny as it used to be.

But all of that can change.

Some decisions are hard, but not the ones where love is all the way on one side.

I’m tired of th… Read more...

More White Space

Flowers and frame

Ironically, it’s the absence of words on a page that makes people read the words.

It’s the white space between these lines that makes you want to read the next one.

Designers call this “visual rest.”

We could stand to do this more in conversation:

add

a

little

wh… Read more...

A Little Light Left

Light through hole in dark room

Her church was the first to call.

“She’s forgetting things.”

It was sort of blamey, at least that’s how I took it — me, one of two sons, 22 hours away. Or two flights and a long shuttle ride, which has to be coordinated ahead of time.

The last time I we… Read more...

The Message

Hazels Ceiling Fan

I’m reading a book in bed with my 8-year-old. It’s meant for 9-year-olds, but that’s not why I’m reading it to her. I’m reading it because it’s one of the only books my 18-year-old (the older one) liked. And I never read it with her. It was her… Read more...

The Dark Place

Landscape photo of forest

I founded my company on optimism. It’s who I am.

But even the BrightSide gets dark now and then.

And when it does, I try my best to welcome the darkness. It’s coming whether you want it to or not. There’s much to discover in the darkness.

But it’s not a place to spend a … Read more...

Achievement of the Day

instagram: _juanmay

Ours is a species driven toward accomplishment. We often hinge good-feeling on getting things done, we push relaxation to come after something else. The beer tastes better after mowing the lawn. (Makes me want to mow the lawn lol).

This is a good way to live: a productive way to l… Read more...