—Anna-Marie— March is coming to a close. We are in full-on spring season. (My allergies agree but the weather is arguing.) And things are heating up. It seems like most everyone I talk with is going through an incredibly busy and stressful and hard season right now. Whether you are in the rhythm of a... Continue Reading →
—Anna-Marie— We were cleaning out a used fish tank my brother had lent Knox. Knox wants to spend his birthday money on two aquatic turtles and begin a new hobby with a freshwater tank. My sister Alexa had come over to help me lift the tank and empty the existing gravel from the bottom of... Continue Reading →
—Anna-Marie— Growing up, I was scolded for one thing far more than any other—talking. I’ve just always had so much I want to say. It’s like the valve between brain and mouth has always been open for me. And the same is true for writing. I remember I used to have this red felt-tipped pen... Continue Reading →
—Anna-Marie— In November, my family and I participated in the Lantern Fest. This is our second year at this event, and we’ve declared it a tradition. Last year, when we went we were letting go. We had specific things we needed to name and face and let go. The experience was an anchor for us.... Continue Reading →
(or Improv as Life) —Anna-Marie— Last winter/spring, I joined a little improv group. I love all things theatre and want to support the arts however I can, but the idea of doing improvisational performances, well, it really freaked me out. But my dear friends assured me that they were learning, too. That we would all... Continue Reading →
—Anna-Marie— It happened so fast. Usually I can pick up on the signs and have time to redirect or move us to a safe location. But this time, I missed all the signs. We were sitting, breathing in the September night air, enjoying the last few moments of one of Knox’s baseball games. Brian had... Continue Reading →
—Brian— My friend Garrett gave me an old wooden and glass cabinet. He and his family were cleaning out their garage and they were wanting to get rid of the cabinet because they didn’t have any use for it anymore. He said he thought we might like it to put in our business. He was... Continue Reading →
—Brian— Last night I watched my son get baptized. It capped off a week of what we are calling a "renewal week" for us. He had told us that morning that he wanted to be baptized at our church's event that night, but it wasn't until I watched him go under the water and back... Continue Reading →
—Anna-Marie— My Aunt Linda has a house near the city where Tobin goes to school. We used to stay with Linda sometimes when she lived there, but she moved a few months into our new adventure. She kept the house, however, and allows us to stay there when we need or want to. My Aunt... Continue Reading →
—Anna-Marie— My favorite grocery store closed last week. This is a big loss to the community and a big loss to the employees who lost their jobs. It's also a big personal loss to me. Not because of the plethora of organic and environmentally-friendly products, not because their core values were about community and giving... Continue Reading →
PURSUING TOB 