From the trenches.
In the early 1980s, we the children of safe and side-walked Irvine, California population 62,000, knew a thing or two about politics. ...
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Let's go outside, please.
Welcome to rswcagefree.com. A world of adventure, bikes, books, momming, and the occasional song. Stepping out of cages, kicking up dust, and finding words to share since, well, forever. Keep scrolling for stories.
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What do you want people to know?
Note: the below includes reference to managing mental health challenges. What do you want people to know? On the outside, you see a...
Robin Hood.
1) Many years ago, maybe ten or so, I opened my blinds to find an older man in the front yard. This in itself was not unusual, as we...
Appointments
I had an optometrist appointment the other day. This in its own right is not interesting, but if you avoid doctors like I do, it's...
Let me tell you a story.
“Let me tell you a story.” My dad begins again inches away from my face, his glasses so thick that I think he’s lost the plot on all...
16.
I learned about Jane's Addiction in 10th grade chemistry class from Gina Smith. Two years my senior, Gina was easily one of the smartest...
Delilah.
Once upon a time and for a short time period only, I owned a VW Dormobile camper van. This was pre-digital camera time, so here's a...
Confessions of a roller skater.
Steve walks warily down the street With the brim pulled way down low Ain't no sound but the sound of his feet Machine guns ready to go...
821.912.
In a pre-internet world, gaining knowledge required some leg work. Either you filled yourself with loosey goosey tribal knowledge or you...
Two things.
This morning, Huck pawed at the backdoor indicating his desire to go do Huck things. Because I am a trained owner, I quickly ran to...
This is for the birds.
“Don’t take that!” he barks. The waiter tries to keep his cool, but his eyes are wide; eyebrows raised into his hairline. “It’s for the...
Pineapple.
I split my time between grocery stores in town. They all have a different feel and purpose--frugality versus bougie tendencies---getting...
Probably not.
I am a girl who flosses her teeth. This is new. Historically, I do not like to floss my teeth, but my hygienist, Nathan, kindly suggested...
Besting.
My Tuesdays are the same every week. I put on my Tuesday uniform (a green Shredly romper, which totally means business), march over to...
Metal heart.
I wake gasping for air most nights. Not out of fear or stress but acknowledgement of the weight of it all. That's how it goes sometimes...
Rights of the bold.
We were beautiful but didn't know it. In the sea of used and abused, this was clearly a winning combination. We loved the music, the...
Treacherous.
"Step away! We gotta berify it!" Somehow, I was the expert on crime and clearly, we had a crime on our hands. We formed a half circle...
Licorice and popcorn.
I like to end each day by pretending I'm at a drive-in theater, watching the moments of the day unfold on a large screen. Popcorn in one...
Dear daughter (15 and 50),
Dear Daughter, The last week of January is a quiet treasure for me. This week every year since you were born in 2008, I take it a little...
Such is the way of what is.
The door just slammed. Not out of anger, but in the strong hands of a young woman with headphones. I peek out the upstairs window to...
Gloom and bloom.
In a corner of the YMCA on a Sunday. Peyton is attempting to do schoolwork. We both have noise cancelling headphones on---the tech...
IRL.
I like ... rosemary sourdough bread. my dog's heaviness during a nap. peppermint tea. "Is this the regular morning class?" the sub...
I realize.
I spoke to my dad's ear on Christmas. There it was overtaking the screen--a hairy ear canal waiting for my voice to find its way in....
Jaunty.
I bought a hat yesterday. If you know me, you know that I am no stranger to hats. I wear them most days. Beanies and cycling caps mainly....
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