Author Archives: mathdreads
The Next Stage
The week after the March 13th shelter in place declaration, I started live-streaming yoga classes from the comfort of my home. For several weeks, the yoga instructors also taught from the comfort of their homes, with another yoga instructor in their own home as the “demo” yogi. Then, due to both economic and political pressure, … Continue reading
4th of July 2020
This year, more than any other, I heard my fellow Americans pointing out that not all were freed on the original July 4th. This wasn’t a new idea to me, but we’re now living in the intersection of pandemic, global police brutality protests and the strong light of truth being shined on systemic racism. And … Continue reading
Special Election in July 2020
We’ve had runoff elections in the past, but never during a pandemic. The common sense thing to do would be vote online or by mail-in ballot, but as Trump pointed out, if voting became easier to do, no Republican would ever be elected again. Of course, anytime he tells the truth, many rush in to … Continue reading
Juneteenth 2020
I jumped at the chance to hang out with a handful of friends for Juneteenth, which, conveniently enough, landed on a Friday. One of the perks of working for myself is that I can take a half day. The morning started off with the usual routine: breakfast, work, yoga. Then I hopped in my car, … Continue reading
Here’s to the Black Men Who Breath Freely
Memorial Day commemorates the men and women of the Armed Forces who have died in the defense of the United States. Yet, like every other thing existing with the COVID-19 pandemic in the background, even this celebration morphed into the latest wave of international protest. On Memorial Day 2020, two black men, one in New … Continue reading
The Gift of Relaxation
On a bright and beautiful Saturday morning during the umpteenth day of self-quarantine, I ventured out to pick up a massage chair my cousin had gifted me. Pre-pandemic, he’d hosted movie nights at his place. I’d had the joy of sitting in that chair while we talked and joked so much that sometimes a movie … Continue reading
Oh, Ovo-lacto Pescatarian!
I’ve pretty much been a lifelong omnivore with about three years of eating no mammals. (I used to love telling people that and they’re reaction would be, “But you’re eating chicken!”) Since then, I’ve rarely cooked pork or beef, substituting in ground turkey, turkey bacon or turkey sausage. Now, I see the writing on the … Continue reading
Princess Leia Goes Grocery Shopping
Never one to miss an opportunity to dress up, I celebrated “May the 4th Be with You!” After all, roughly half of my walk-in closet houses costumes from the days when I used to produce my own spoken word and storytelling show, The Austin Writers Roulette. I’ve recycled this Princess Leia costume many times over, … Continue reading
Cleansing the Air
While watching a horror movie, I texted a friend, who had grown up in a home where indigenous medicine was practiced, about one of the scenes where people were cleansing themselves with smoke from an herb bundle. Sage perhaps? She confirmed my conclusion. She told me the practice was called “smudging.” People smudged to cleanse … Continue reading
Social Distance Happy Hours
I’d drank during virtual book club meetings, writers’ meetings, and other social events. Yet getting together with other people across the States who I work with was a bit different since I’d never met most of them previously. We’re all customer service reps, called guides, who work from home and set our own hours. Normally, … Continue reading