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Resilience - My Word for 2026

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I started doing #yearplanner in 2020 — so let's just say that first year was a misfire. But a couple of years back Patrick and I started doing it together, and it's been really helpful (though I would argue the planning we did in late 2025 for 2026 was also...a little altered once we got into January.) One of the elements of it is to pick a word for the year. Last year, one was ATTEND, and it was pretty inspirational. My word for 2024 was BUILD, also a win. Based on what I *thought* 2026 was going to be like I almost picked "Grow," but I am glad I did not. My word for 2026 is RESILIENCE (Patrick has two, for what it's worth, ADJUST and ADAPT.) So when Playwrights Center did a panel about artists and resilience last night, I knew I had to be there. And I am so glad I went. Anytime you get Signe Harridan, Sarah Bellamy, Maija Garcia, Anh Thu Pham, Laura Zabel, and Mark Valdez in a room, it's going to be a provocative conversation. Here are my top things I put in...
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Typical Mondays

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Mondays are usually days to:      a)     dig deep into a project      b)    catch up on a lot of things      c)     schedule meetings      d)     all of the above So, in typical Monday fashion, I spent the morning paying bills, doing some bank reccs, listing things on the free board, and making phone calls. I hate phone calls. I then ran some errands, including mailing a certified mail piece and picking up some stamps From there, I grabbed some plastic bottles from someone because I want to do some winter seed sowing this week (I still need more bottles, so if I see you on a regular basis and you have some, let me know!) I had a meeting with a client about some new personnel policies at Yellowbird , which I love because I love their sense of community. I then headed to Springboard for the Arts to represent the Cultural STAR board at a community meeting convened by my councilmember....
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Small Project Sunday - Front Coat Closet

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My Facebook Memories reminded me that we used to do Small Project Sundays — so today, between yoga and choir, we took on the front hallway coat closet. This had become an area to toss basically everything that we were not using, so it was sorely needed. We always suck at remembering to take before pictures, but here's the "after." To imagine "before," just picture this entire closet piled almost knee high with stuff. We took an entire carload of stuff to Goodwill, we have a few things to list on the free board, and we have two large bags of coats and outerwear to donate to Haven Watch or someplace if they still need it now, or to save for a winter clothing drive next year. (If you know of any places, particularly ones serving refugees, that still need winter outdoor clothing now, please let me know!)
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Super Speakeasy Saturday!

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It was a long day, but ended in a fun night! First we grabbed a light dinner at Potsticker, which has been on our wish list for awhile. Then we picked up our friends Carrie and Jason so we could head to some Anoka speakeasies. We started at The Hardware Store . This had the added bonus of us getting in because we had a reservation, versus the randos from the street who did not. It was super-cozy, had a huge cocktail list, and was very chic. Also noisy and crowded. From there we headed to Nucky's which had a totally different vibe. The cocktail list was much smaller, and it was more hands-off, but also amazing in its own way (mostly being quieter and easier to talk). It felt like getting out of town and away from everyday troubles for the night, which was great. Highly recommended!
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Fun Fridays!

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Going out is back! (pay no mind to the fact that it's 7:30 and I'm exhausted). We started out the evening by going to Empty Bowls at Saint Kate's. For a donation to their food justice organization you got a handmade bowl of your choice and delicious soup, plus the chance to feel fancy by eating in the O'Shag lobby. I've wanted to go to one of these for a long time and it did not disappoint! There's an ice cream one coming up in April... Then we went to the re-opening of my friend Rachael's gallery, The Grand Hand . It's been located at Grand and Dale for forever, since long before she bought it, but the rent went up. So she relocated to Grand and Hamline, where Treadle was (and Rexall Drugs before that). It was PACKED and so much fun! The new space is lovely, with lovely space to display seemingly a lot more art. We saw SO MANY people we know and like. I'm so proud of her and the store and know I will be there a lot. Then, because it's Friday, we...
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Tiny Changes

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With everything (waves arms wildly) going on here, I've not had a ton of capacity. But we have been able to effect some small changes around the house. We hung this print by the front door to gear up as we leave the house (but no one can see it from outside). While Beatrix and Patrick were visiting a college for Admitted Students Day, I touched up the bathroom ceiling, cleaned out the odds and ends of personal products, and added other elements. We got a new storage bench for our bedroom that continues the beach vibe. I even made some push pins for my bulletin board!
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Because They're Kids

The last several days have had some heightened stress around here for any number of reasons. But key among them is that a disgruntled person (assumed parent) at my daughter's school decided to release some event safety protocols to a right-wing site that fancies itself a "news source," and that the kids at the school are now — at least to some extent — targeted. For the sake of argument here, I am going to put a lot of issues to the side, though that does not mean they are not constantly occupying my mind. If you know me, you already know how I feel about these. I'm putting aside feelings about ICE and the Minnesota occupation. I'm putting aside any issues I or anyone else might be having about the school's current administration. I'm putting aside some people's assumption that teenagers are somehow just mini-adults. I'm putting aside my own feelings about the final semester of my daughter's high school education. What someone did, for the appa...
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