Get IN — The Next Doable Thing

I keep hearing people say, “What can I do?” and I feel it too. Another breaking point. The frost has broken. The sap is running. The Chinese New Year is here—big energy. I’m ready to re-energize. When the world is primed like this, my brain wants a steering wheel and a gas pedal—something I can actually drive. And honestly? I want to grab you by the sleeve and say: Get IN.

Does it take courage? Hell yes. For me that looks like: make, share, and commit to having the work do some real good.

New Art

I’m starting a new theme and I’m trying not to over-design it before it exists. The working title in my head is Good Neighbors— images of what it looks like when people show up for each other: dropping off food to someone in need, offering a carpool or a ride, checking in on friends and neighbors. There’s a Trevor Noah interview that runs in my head where he talks about the English language roots of “kind” and “kin”—and how kindness is basically what happens when we remember we belong to each other. 

This Good Neighbor theme feels like that: the version of “what can I do?” that can be done next.  I wanted the LUCE fundraiser to launch a long time ago. It didn’t. But it’s here now and represents a prologue to the Good Neighbors idea.  That’s right, it’s here!  Right now!  It’s sitting on the website all ready to go.  Wee!!! 

What I’m Listening To

Anyone else catch the Benito halftime show? Bad Bunny has been in even heavier rotation than normal over here—especially “DtMF.” That song has that mix of joy and yearning that makes me want to get off my phone and back into real life. It hits that analog connection hunger in me: actual voices, presence, eyes, attention. His whole catalogue is infectious.

And this is also why I’ll admit it: I play some online games with my kids. I do it because it keeps me in their world—I can get in there, listen. And the giggles that ensue when “Mom can’t get out the door, and Dad’s still chopping wood” are so fun. I will happily be the confused mom in the fake limo if it buys me five minutes of real laughter.

What I’m Thinking About

Sometimes sharing what I make feels scary to me. No drama—it’s just true. Putting art and words where other people can see them is vulnerable in a way acting never was for me.

What helps me is momentum, not overthinking. A time limit. A small gap. One finished thing. I feel more like myself on the other side of that than I do while I’m trying to get it “right.”

So my answer to “what can I do?” is: make what I can, share it before I talk myself out of it, and keep choosing the next doable step.

One Action (LUCE)

If you want one practical way to help right now, here it is: I’m offering a tiny fundraiser trio—three original pocket florals. $26 each or $70 for the full trio, and all proceeds go to LUCE (legal support + community advocacy for immigrants and refugees in Massachusetts).  Link: HERE

And if you want me to help you pick which bloom fits your space, hit reply—I love doing that.