What makes a community truly work—especially when caregiving or kids are involved? After two decades in intergenerational spaces, I’ve seen what holds communities together—and what quietly breaks them apart.   This post shares the simple but powerful framework I use to build trust, reduce burnout, and help people show up for each other with clarity and care. Whether you're leading a camp, hosting a gathering, or just trying to build better relationships, these four pillars and five covenants can help.  

Thanksgiving isn't my holiday. My holiday is the day after Thanksgiving; it's a day to share my love of BBQ with friends and chosen family.     Which is your favorite: Central Texas, Missouri's Kansas City, or Memphis, Tennessee?  

Every parent dreads receiving the news their kid’s school is going on lockdown. (More than 4.1 million students endured at least one lockdown in the 2017-2018 school year alone ( source )).   I got that text and email yesterday. Out of an abundance of caution, our child’s school along with seven others in the district went into soft lockdown due to a developing situation at the nearby university.   It happened during what was supposed to be a fun, uneventful morning picking out Gates' first pair of glasses--a morning that didn't quite go according to plan. Continue reading to learn what happened and see which four pairs of frames she's considering.  

Do you ever do something just for the sheer joy of it? Or, are you calculating in the back of your mind how something you're doing for fun can be used or repurposed so that you haven't wasted any time? Attempting a 100 Day Project can help you learn to let go, bolster your feelings of self-worth, and provide a sense of accomplishment.   Between February 13th and May 24th, I'm gifting myself 100 days of creativity. I'm participating in The 100 Day Project (follow @DoThe100DayProject or #DoThe100DayProject ) hosted by Lindsay Jean Thomson ( @LindsayJeanThomson on Instagram ). I'm planning on making 100 collages or mixed media pieces and will be posting my work periodically to Instagram at @RoadToGoodLife .     So far I've created eleven pieces and haven't missed a day yet! Read on to learn about this year's one hundred day project and how I'm approaching it.  

Up until the COVID shelter in place order went out in San Francisco in 2020, I’d never heard of Aduki beans. And then, just like that I had a dozen cans. If you've never eaten them, you'll want to go out and grab some and make this one-pot red beans and rice recipe either on your stovetop or in a slow cooker.   NOTE: This post contains affiliate links, preceded by (*affiliate link) .

  Last week, I had the opportunity to play with light and food in our kitchen. So, now, I'm daydreaming about (and planning for) my next creative space by thinking about the past places I've lived in.   Do you have a permanent or temporary space for creating in your home? If temporary, what tips do you have for getting set up quickly when the mood strikes you?   I've compiled a list of four things I've learned I need after years creating in shared, temporary spaces that may be helpful to you.