Sunrise

 

Frozen

Winter Storm Fern has coated our town in inches of sleet, now frozen into glassy ice. With the temperature sitting at 16°F, we ventured out to take it all in… and, of course, to go to Waffle House.

One squirrel watched us like we had lost our minds. I don’t think I’ve ever been judged so harshly by wildlife.

 

The State of It

The world feels more turbulent now than at any other point in my life. I can still remember being in my early twenties, thinking things were chaotic and disagreeing with the politics of the moment. At the time, it all felt overwhelming. Yet looking back, those days now seem almost quaint—simpler, gentler, and far less divided than what we face today.

We’ve reached a moment where issues rooted in basic human decency are being pulled into the realm of political conflict. Things that once felt foundational—our shared cultural norms, the progress made over generations, and the sense of steady forward motion—now seem fragile. Many of us watch with unease as hard‑won values are eroded, alliances strained, and entire groups of people unfairly cast as villains.

I can only hope that we find a way to endure this unprecedented period of pressure, and that from it we learn to build stronger, more lasting safeguards so future generations never have to weather the same storms. In the meantime, all we can do is keep looking ahead and hold on to the belief that a safer, more compassionate future is possible—one built on the understanding that every person is deserving of basic human rights.

After all, it is our infinite diversity, in infinite combinations, that gives us our greatest strength.

"Love is color, love is loud, 

love is never saying you're too proud.
Love is trusting, love is honest, 

love is not a hand to hold you down."

- Tonic, "You Wanted More" 

California Dreaming

 

The Song of 2025

 

This song has given me a deep sense of hope in the midst of the political turmoil that has swept across the U.S. and the rest of the world this year. As someone who is part of a marginalized community—and who has family members who are immigrants—I often find myself needing to look ahead and trust that things will ultimately move toward something better.

Despite everything, I still believe that humanity can grow into a future like the one envisioned in Star Trek—a future defined by unity, curiosity, and compassion. This song has been a small but powerful reminder of that possibility, helping me hold on to that vision even when the world feels its darkest.

Here is to a hopeful 2026!