What I Learned from Reading My Elementary School Report Cards as an Adult

Still life painting done by the author at age 10
Still life, age 10.

Five years ago, my mom came to visit and brought a plastic tote full of drawings, worksheets, and other papers from when I was a kid.  I began to look through it, but after flipping through a few preschool paintings and coloring book pages, I became bored and overwhelmed by how much there was, and I set the box aside.  It remained closed through three moves and ended up in a closet that collects miscellaneous junk.

When I did the 30 day minimalist challenge in January, I was determined to tackle that closet.  I pulled down the plastic tote and spent several evenings working my way through it.  The box contained everything from day care drawings and hand-made cards to report cards, individualized education plans, and reports and short stories I’d written.  Looking over everything provided a sweet and fascinating perspective on my childhood.  Rather than seeing my youth through the lens of my memory, I got a more objective glimpse into my early years.   Read more

Discovering New Rooms Within Ourselves

Black and white monotype of a model seated in an art studio.
Studio Model, Monotype, 2004.

A few nights ago, I dreamt that I found more space in my house.  I knew these two unfinished attic-type rooms were there, but I had forgotten about them.  I wanted to do some renovations, make additional space, and suddenly I stumbled upon these existing areas of my home that had been unused.

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Quote of the Week

“Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young.”

J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

Sandcastle on the beach at dusk

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