This year, I read far less than I hoped, finishing thirty-nine books for the year. While my goal for 2018 was to read one book a week, it's been an unsustainable goal thus far. My second goal for the year was to read more writers of color and engage with books that required me to think rather than ... Read More about My Favorite Books of 2018
An Invitation to Beauty
When I was a little girl, I spent most of my childhood hidden away in the pages of a book or wandering in the woods listening to the birds and trees whisper stories. I was drawn to beauty and mystery in equal parts. I liked to think I was unique, set apart somehow by the things I loved, my senses ... Read More about An Invitation to Beauty
On Art, Advent, and Silence
"Each age has its own aesthetic needs..." I nodded when the audio guide made this observation on our weekend tour of the Frick collection. While I have no idea what needs this modern age requires, I nodded because I know that my own aesthetic need for beauty is as constant as a pulse, as life-giving ... Read More about On Art, Advent, and Silence
Practicing Freedom from Fear
After calling my name multiple times to no response, my daughter found me sitting on the edge of my bed, eyes trained on my computer screen. She started to speak and stopped abruptly when her eyes fell on my nightstand. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her nudge my hand cream and a book aside and ... Read More about Practicing Freedom from Fear
Living Artfully
A vintner. An artist. A collector. A patron of the arts. A builder of dreams and legacies. When I met Annibale Parisi at his vineyard, Nostra Vita, situated in the rolling hills of Tuscany, I had no idea one person could contain so many passions and execute them with such unabashed joy and ... Read More about Living Artfully
Three Ways to Reject Old Thinking and Rehearse the New
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I'd fallen into the habit of rehearsing my anxieties in prayer and in my journaling. I recognized the need to change those negative, well-worn thought patterns, and I've taken a few steps toward freedom in this area. Since then, I haven't turned to my journal once, ... Read More about Three Ways to Reject Old Thinking and Rehearse the New
