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Taos Friend Camp Report
Our first-ever friend camp in Taos, New Mexico is in the books, and since people always ask, "how was it," I figured I'd share it here.Â
Yesterday, as my friend Jean and I were riding back to the Albuquerque airport, she played the TikTok I made back in February about Friend Camp. Listening to wh...
Apr 15, 2026
friend camp
11 Underrated Midlife Lessons
About a year ago, I heard Dr. Brene Brown say something super deep on Father Richard Rohr's podcast.Â
They were talking about how scary and painful midlife can be. Dr. Brown was speaking about her own experience when she said, "it's like walking the plank off the perfectly good ship I built, and ...
Mar 31, 2026
midlife
Spring Break?
I couldn't write to you earlier this week because I was so up in my jacked up head, all I could think to say started with the f-word.Â
Four months ago, Sam and I moved to the high desert of New Mexico where he is doing cowboy stuff, and I'm writing a book. That sounds romantic, and it is, but New...
Mar 27, 2026
firelightadventures
friendcamp
Heck Yah Energy
We concede too soon, accepting things that are close but not quite. We champion things that are more convenient than true. Perhaps we think it's easier to settle than to live with uncertainty.Â
But when the just-right happens, we know because it rattles our bones.Â
It's Thelma and Louise. It's Wh...
Mar 19, 2026
courage
Managing a Crash Out
This week's letter is late due to an epic crashout I had on Sunday. I doubt I have to explain all the reasons a sentient, female American person might have crashed out this week.
I feel a little like this toaster. It works about 60% of the time, and the other 40% it catches fire. Just kidding, it...
Mar 12, 2026
friend camp
mental health
strategy
taos
Cherish is a Verb.
Father Richard Rohr is one of my mentors. He doesn't know that because he mentors millions of people. In his 56 years as a Priest, he's written more than 30 books.Â
As a beautiful gift to posterity, the wise folks at the Center for Action and Contemplation, which Father Richard founded in Albuque...
Feb 28, 2026
faith
good work
love
Welcome to the Work
For approximately one million years, I have talked about writing a book. I've said this for so long that I bored my college friends with it, and I graduated 32 years ago. In the 90's.
I know.
But I'm doing it now. At present, I'm editing chapter 11 of Death to Sparkleprincess: A Beginners Guide t...
Feb 24, 2026
work
The Hitchhiking Poets of Taos
What is, is the great teacher. — Father Richard Rohr
Â
Yesterday, I picked up a hitchhiker. She was probably 80 years-old, standing at the main intersection in Taos, New Mexico. She said something to the driver in front of me, but he rolled on. I wasn't sure what she wanted so I rolled my windo...
Feb 18, 2026
firelight adventures
friends
travel
Why Travel Matters at Midlife
One of my absolute favorite hobbies is waking up before dawn, in a foreign city, with nothing to do all day but eat and explore.
A tiny espresso in an outdoor cafe. A man in a black hat playing violin to the pigeons. Cobblestones under my feet. Cathedrals where people crawl on their knees to the ...
Feb 10, 2026
firelight adventures
friends
travel
Where's Your Garden?
I have a client in the Twin Cities - a mother of two little brown boys. She put copies of their passports in their backpacks, and goes to meetings at their school to hear the plan should heavily-armed, masked men enter.Â
Ahh, the things we get to plan for. In America. In 2026.Â
My client draws fr...
Feb 03, 2026
firelight adventures
friendship
Are You Rich in Social Capital?
Tell me if this feels familiar.
The group text bings and someone suggests lunch. One person hearts the message. Two say “Yaaaaaassss! Soon.” One says “this week is wild, next week maybe?”
Then nothing happens.
A few days later someone sends a meme. Then a birthday gif. Then a “thinking of you ❤️....
Jan 27, 2026
firelight adventures
friendship
social capital
How's Your Energy?
I was feeling pretty cranky on Friday, and I mentioned it to a friend who is a therapist and a fellow IFS practioner.Â
In Internal Family Systems we talk a lot about "Self Energy" which is the belief that all humans are imbued with a calm, clear, compassionate center — a wise knowing that, like t...
Jan 21, 2026
energy
ifs
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