Back in 2011, I wrote about my mother, Mi Madre, My Queen and everything I wrote still holds true today, even more so. In the past decade, she has had two very bad falls resulting in surgeries and rehab and yet, she powered through with a determination and intensity that inspired not just her children … Continue reading My Mother
The NoMar Theater: the ghosts of our past, the hopes of our future
Near the corner of 21st and North Market Street squats an empty theater. Faded and neglected but not quite defeated, the NoMar Theater, along with the neighborhood surrounding her, has sat in wait – sometimes patiently, sometimes not. The NoMar is the centerpiece of Wichita’s North End, the historically Hispanic neighborhood, and depending on who … Continue reading The NoMar Theater: the ghosts of our past, the hopes of our future
The Had I known of 2020
A year. It suddenly hit me over the weekend that it has been a full year since our world began to shift and take on a form none of us would have ever imagined outside of a zombie apocalyptic movie. I made myself a mug of turmeric tea and sat down to recall what was … Continue reading The Had I known of 2020
Privilege, Racial Equity & Family
It’s been a long time since I’ve posted. My original plan was to share my story of life during those early days of the pandemic, but I quickly realized my privilege and once I did, my story was no longer important. I work for a foundation that invests money and resources into organizations and coalitions … Continue reading Privilege, Racial Equity & Family
Week 5.5: The real pandemic, books, baths and Zoom in a time of covid-19
Our governor extended the stay-at-home order to May 3. I was not surprised. As a matter of fact, my surprise will come if she doesn’t extend it longer. There are certainly people in our state who still believe “it’s just the flu” or who prioritize economy over people’s lives and lay blame to an overreactive … Continue reading Week 5.5: The real pandemic, books, baths and Zoom in a time of covid-19
Week 3.5: Looking forward in a time of covid-19
Friday. Remember when we used to look forward to Friday? Now, with most of us at home during the week, Friday has lost its magic. No TGIF! memes – more like, Friday, Meh memes. Friday has lost its ranking and has now become just another blurry day of the week. As I was contemplating this … Continue reading Week 3.5: Looking forward in a time of covid-19
Week 2.5: Letting go in a time of covid-19
I struggled a bit this week. It started on Monday. Now, some of it I attribute to my allergies blowing up over the weekend – teasing of spring emerging from the ground, Kansas wind and the burning of the fields will do that to an allergy sufferer. But I hadn’t slept well all weekend due … Continue reading Week 2.5: Letting go in a time of covid-19
Day…I have no idea: Tele-working in the time of COVID-19
It’s been eleven days since I began working from home. Eleven days when our world went from a cautionary tale to survivalist novel. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions, to say the least. I’ve had at least two good cries and a handful of moments when silent tears come quick and I don’t even … Continue reading Day…I have no idea: Tele-working in the time of COVID-19
Day 4: Tele-working in a time of COVID-19 and the therapy of cleaning.
Monday arrived in not its usual fashion, but I’m trying to create a new schedule. I’m a list-making-keep-to-a-schedule kinda gal. I thrive on organization and consistency. How I’m not a basket case in today’s world is beyond me, especially now. I’ve yet to find the perfect work schedule but I keep reminding myself it’s only … Continue reading Day 4: Tele-working in a time of COVID-19 and the therapy of cleaning.
Day 3: Tele-working in a time of COVID-19 and teaching mom new tricks
The wind howled through Thursday night into the wee hours of Friday morning. I mean, howled. Like a tormented wolf, it shook the window screens off the house and at one point I stared through the dark at the ceiling just waiting for our roof to peel off. The creaks and groans made Beatrice, Executive … Continue reading Day 3: Tele-working in a time of COVID-19 and teaching mom new tricks
Mermaid of the Plains 