The Creative Nest

 Let’s talk about questions. Specifically, the same question. Over and over. And over. And over. How many times can someone ask you the exact same question before you start getting irritated? I’m genuinely curious because apparently there is a number. I just haven’t figured out what it is yet. The first time someone asks me something, I’m happy to answer. No problem. Ask away. I am a wealth of useless information and reasonably useful information, depending on the subject. The second time? Still fine. Maybe they forgot. Maybe they weren't listening the first time. Maybe their brain was busy thinking about something else. It happens. The third time, I might start wondering if we are having a communication issue. By the fourth time, I’m thinking, “We have discussed this.” By the fifth time, my answer may become slightly more concise. By the sixth time? Well… How attached are you to getting an answer that doesn't involve me screaming?   There is something about being asked the s...

Are you a creature of habit? I’m talking about the kind of person who has a routine. A real routine. A carefully constructed little schedule that tells you what happens next and, more importantly, when it happens. Coffee at this time. Shower at that time. Work starts at this time. Lunch at this time. Dinner at this time. Bed at this time. Everything has its place. Everything makes sense. Everything is under control. And then… life laughs.   Because apparently, the universe enjoys taking perfectly reasonable routines and throwing them directly into a wood chipper. Maybe you planned to run a few errands in the morning, but suddenly the store is packed, the drive-thru line is approximately 47 miles long, and somebody has decided that today is the perfect day to reorganize the entire checkout system. Maybe you planned to get something done at home, but your dog needs something, the phone rings, you forgot you needed an ingredient, and suddenly it’s 2:30 in the afternoon and you’re sta...

I live in the city. I feel like that is an important detail to establish because lately I have started questioning whether my address was accidentally entered into the system as “middle of nowhere.” I am not talking about seeing a squirrel. Squirrels are basically the interns of the animal kingdom. They are everywhere, and nobody is particularly surprised to see one. I’m talking about deer, raccoons, and possums. Actual wildlife. In my yard. Like they pay property taxes. There is something particularly unsettling about looking out your window and finding a deer standing there. Deer are not small. A squirrel can run across your yard and you think, “Oh, look. A squirrel.” A deer appears and your brain immediately goes, “WHY IS THERE A HORSE IN MY YARD?” And the deer doesn't even look concerned. Nope. It just stands there eating whatever it has decided belongs to it. Meanwhile, I’m standing inside my house looking through the window like I’m observing a dangerous criminal. Don’t make ...