An open letter to our school district and board members thanking them and urging them to continue supporting performing arts at the grandest level possible. The arts (and athletics) are the antidote to the technological age and social disconnection our children are growing up in. There are no devices on stage or on the field. "Play" is the antidote to depression and anxiety. Performance requires total presence, and when the players are present, & the audience is present, we have a shared, immersive, aesthetic experience that is reflective and hopeful.

“Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write…”

A plea to the youth: We need you to put those smart heads together & start solving problems. When you really start thinking about it, you’ll figure out which side makes sense to be on.

Round 1 Entry into 250-Word Microfiction Challenge

Alice Kuo Shippee tells us why nature is not her jam for exercise.

Alice reflects on the middle age neck, Murphy Brown, and birthday selfies.

A murmur or a whooshing. My brain likes them both.

The simple dreams of a holiday.

Where are my night owls?

The safest place I can miss a friend is in a poem.

I’ve been missing poetry.

I knew the indigenous people didn’t name these Joshua Trees.

Birthday alerts don’t stop when people pass on. When do you delete the reminders?

No, David Goggins, I’m not making my bed every morning.

The city I never even knew I should see is now the city I love.

About the time I brought a ping pong paddle to a baseball game