Welcome

This is a place for essays about real life — the quiet work of living well,
the choices we make about what matters, and the daily practice of paying attention.

You'll also find books that changed how I think, tools I actually use,
and resources I trust enough to share.

Pull up a chair.

Everything here is meant to be read slowly
with tea,
with time,
with care.

The books that changed how I think, the people whose work I return to,
and the places I choose to give.

Everything here has earned its place through repeated use, not aspiration.

Latest Essays

Why I Keep Coming Back to Leonie Dawson (And Why $99 Might Be the Best Money You Spend This Year)

I am a school librarian. I work with sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who are frequently convinced that nothing matters and occasionally convinced that everything does. I spend my days surrounded by books and children and the particular chaos of a middle school where I have joined many, many committees to try to make the school as awesome as possible. I am also, on the side, trying to build something. In the plans are writing workshops over Zoom. A writing retreat at Cambri

Sargento's Story

"There are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes." — Fred Rogers Dog rescue is not glamorous. I don't know how those people with the cameras do it — the ones who film themselves saving animals on the side of the road, all calm narration and steady hands. That's not how it works, not for me, anyway. For me, it's shaking hands and a racing heart and blood on my clothes and being late to work and crying in my car. But I'm getting ahead of myself

Counting Waterfalls

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." — Thornton Wilder Photo by Dave Pomes I remember a moment. Dave and I were on a cruise in Alaska sitting on the balcony of our stateroom, sipping wine, watching ice- and tree-covered land slide past us in the fading light. We counted waterfalls, not talking very much. The sunset did all the work needed. I remember thinking: I am so grateful to be here. Not in a journal-promp

All The Girls Are Reading It

Children do not constitute anyone's property: they are neither the property of their parents nor even of society. They belong only to their own future freedom." — Mikhail Bakunin Years ago just after my son started Sunday school, he came home one day and whispered conspiratorially to me, "Noah has two moms." Then he leaned back and watched my reaction. Instead of giving him one, I leaned in close and said, also in a whisper, "so do you." He thought for a moment, scrunchin

Andie Kantor

Essays & Resources for Thoughtful Living