The aftershock always feels heavier than the original trauma. Watching and reading so many messages of solidarity and love has made an emotional day a little easier to navigate. Today,…

Sometimes, I go to mosque to pray on Fridays, a thing which I do when either traveling or feeling pain. Had I been in New Zealand, yesterday’s post might have…

I spent my entire afternoon at the Musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge. The ICRC is one of the few organizations whose efforts I stand behind fully. Apart…

It’s only a few years between us, but technically true. She says she doesn’t feel it because I treat everyone with the same level of respect; I think she’s being…

Preamble: There are instances where it is critical to love oneself more than the other party, including but not limited to abusive / violent relationships; in the spaces where our…

These last few months, I had barely thought about it, really thought about it; these last three days, it hadn’t even crossed my mind until yesterday, early evening walking the…

I was reflecting on a few important points of which we far too easily lose sight while inside of the grieving process, so jotting them down as much a reminder…

It seems that yesterday’s The Bad Day resonated with far too many of you. Thank you for opening your chests to me, for allowing me to leave a few gently…

Everyone has’em. Some, more often than others, depending on environment and emotional circumstance. (I am not here touching on the chemical.) Today was a little bit of a rough one….

It was only my second time inside, but the proprietor greeted me with a kiss as soon as I walked in, and he remembered how I liked my coffee. These…

I had to sit on this for a while until it had been reviewed by my trusted friends and fellow writers. Today, I signed it and can officially share that…

This weekend, I decided to pay an excessive amount of money for a couple of eggs, under the guise of ‘brunch’. I went to Coutume, sat quietly at a long…

I am visiting her once again and she is a homecoming. Today, I am grateful for: 1. Words, and storytelling. You have both been my saving grace. 2. Scissors. I…

I pick up my coffee from Zia and walk for a couple of hours daily. I’ve been lucky enough to avoid any serious rain so far, and I’m looking forward…

He raises them, rotisseries them, and sells them at farmer’s markets, among other places. This photo he places ahead of his cash register and it was the reason I chose…

In search of a home where I might pick up my other ignored writing, I went on a coffee hunt. First find was Coutume where the interior is industrial funk,…

You didn’t spend even one late summer evening walking last year. Since yesterday, this thought has kept tugging at the corners of my mind, weaving itself in and out of…

They are everywhere, and I am always surprised when I am first reminded of this. As though it’s an entirely new fact that is beyond the limits of my imagination….

Before he went to sleep tonight, Fares came into my (his) room and asked for a kiss and hug goodnight. He hovered and gingerly asked When will I see you…

I’ve not read since arriving in Tunisia, so have read two books in as many days. Aiming for rest to quicken healing, these are the softest covers for this body….

We assume that the past is written in stone, only it isn’t is it? Experiencing it is one memory. Retrieving its memory can produce almost an infinite amount of versions,…

First. The ear situation is fully on the mend. Gauze was removed this morning, and a little more work done by the doc. Though there was some pain, and I…

The Universe makes things obvious but then gives our stupid asses the choice to do what we wish with the provided information. Really, the free will to choose stupidly. These last…

I discovered that I am allergic to the anti-inflammatory medication. At least Fares made certain I had Danny the Dragon to snuggle. Today, I am grateful for: 1. Vomiting. Fastest…

These are the five medications I have to take over the next eight days. Fun Fact! You can over-clean your ears to the point of creating an abscess. Guess who did…

Prayers sent up this afternoon for some beloveds – for safekeeping, and easing loneliness. For strength, and facilitating children. For ease of heart, and calming of anxiety. For a marriage’s…

This was my lunch date today. We really were far more excited than we appear to be. I am a sucker for little kids in glasses. We spent the day…

One of the unexpected pleasures of Tunisia has been the staycation portion of my time here. Though we’ve been out most days, it has been a willful slow-roll, with late…

Sissina and me were having our morning coffee when she mentioned I had a rainbow on my lips. A morning kiss through the window, perfectly placed. A good omen, I…

I’d never experienced this before, so was super excited to get this done. I asked Sissina that we go to a more traditional, rather than posh one, and she delivered….

This is a dinner menu which they restaurant staff carry from table to table. (My hand is there so that you might have a thing against which to compare its…

I got to wear my high heels tonight, and have dinner with excellent company. One of the perks of my job is having friends stationed all over the world. Today,…

It was a door sudden, and swung open. It has brought with it such lightness and fresh air. Today, I am grateful for: 1. Coffee by the oceanside. Salt-water air…

I have been thinking much about intention – what it means to behave with the purest of intentions and what it looks like when one does not do this. Off…

We were discussing relationships today and I was asked what would my perfect man look like. First, is that he is a Believer. Not necessarily a Muslim, but a man…

Today was a day. It would not have passed well without my Pepper. She knows who she is. Send all of your prayers to her, for her safekeeping always. Today,…

Remember, one of my main goals was to advance and deepen my own understanding of Islam. Someone recently asked me if I had ever questioned the choice of Islam, since…

We drank coffee by the sea at Hammamet today, where she read my cup after I had let it rest to draw itself forward, into tomorrow. I’ll share her prescience…

We spent the day in the Old City of Tunis, also known as médina. Crowded, and beautiful it was; the colours dance off every surface and I was overwhelmed by…

I dreamt that a clear drinking glass was in front of me, empty. I poured into it hot water, and it cracked, though nothing was spilled. In Islamic dream interpretation,…