they’re all grown up now
even their cookies have grown
in their perfection





they’re all grown up now
even their cookies have grown
in their perfection





he’s no idea
what he’s got himself into
with these crazy girls

cookies are cookies.
we will cut, bake, decorate.
’cause it’s what we do.

arms, metal, ginger:
what is a holiday scent?
molasses. that’s it.

and soft-spun sugar
ready to perfect Christmas
with gingerbread sweets.

student recipes
for our final days of class
of this COVID year

ice-cold Tuesday night
(ice skating on a weeknight?)
icing on the cake

we must stay outside
we must wear masks, be cautious
we must learn to live

all out of the house?
all the teens out together?
all the miracles
the boy taught himself
the boy had never skated
my boy taught himself
a night of sirens
gives way to a pink sunrise
and everyone’s well


almost all love skis
and that’s enough for today
that, and fresh powder


some rough beginnings
can end in the perfect way
for a perfect day




Almost a year ago, we invited this boy home for Christmas because he was living in a youth shelter.
We brought him downtown to see this beautiful tree.
And what a year it has been. Challenging in more ways than we ever thought imaginable, and all of us adjusting to this new life of having a brother and a son in the midst of a pandemic.
Here we are, standing under these same lights. And aren’t they still beautiful?



our pet life, explained:
enemies can become friends
with right furniture


the best mail ever
with a scholarship of hope
to fulfill her dreams
