Everyday insight — Brave Tutu Blog

Pup Life

Growing up with pups, I loved them. However, one dog shifted that love into pure adoration.

With two paws planted on the low window ledge, a small black creature peered into our dining room window. Saying— “I’m home. Wanna let me in?”

In our backyard, of brick walls, there is no way this pup “arrived” unassisted. Of course, we searched for his people and, quickly realized, we were them. I often joked, and still sort of believe, we’d find a parachute and slung off Snoopy bomber goggles. ID tag: HEAVEN

Clear Eyes

Clear eyes. Full heart. Can’t lose.

This mantra from Friday Night Lights played in my mind on a drive home to Midland Texas. Often, I hit the Permian Basin at sunset, a perfect backdrop for the oil rigs, as the sky peaches and pinks. Like the opening credits in FNL, these diligent “steel cows” nod their heads amidst endless Texas terrain.

Sitting on a Miracle

Circa age three, my Great Grandmother Lucille taught me this rhyme and how to pump my legs to use our backyard swingset. This Thanksgiving offered a full-circle moment to that earliest memory.

Makes Cents

This week, I had a dream I just can’t shake. And after some reflection and real-life intervention, I don't think I want to. It all makes sense.

Twist

“Have you ever been apple picking?” my friend Leila asked.

“I’ve always wanted to go.” I kept my eyes on the road for our exit.

“I’ll tell you the trick,” said Leila. “You have to twist the apple. If it’s ready, the stem breaks right off. But when the fruit isn’t ripe, it simply won’t come off. You can keep twisting and twisting, and it still won’t come. Or you could force it off, but then it won’t taste good. You can’t tell just by looking.”

”So You don’t know until you try,” I said.

Fly

Somehow, a little fly got trapped inside my car. He flew in when I stopped to get a breakfast taco on my way to Midland.

“Please fly out little guy,” I coaxed, cracking a smile at my own little joke. Five minutes later, I waited at Sonic for my diet cherry and lime coke. “Okay buddy, both doors are open for you now.”

The windows in my lime green beetle stopped working in 2020, just like everything else. Mr. Buzzy had a choice to make: get out now, or wait a loooong time for the next stop.

#WestTexasDriving

Each time, he bzzzzzzed, fought and tried to “escape” at the window. I opened my door, and he just kept flying to the crack where he “should” have been able to escape. Buzz Buzz flew from window to window, totally missing the wide-open doors that waited for him.

Sludge

I knew right as I started to pour, something was off. The coffee sludged out of the press in my mug. Strange, I must have used too much. I like really dark coffee and it’s not uncommon for me to overdo it.

Still hopeful, I grabbed my new white chocolate creamer and mixed it in with a butter knife.

First sip thoughts: Woah, there are grounds in there. What did I do wrong?

Surreal Season

During the pandemic, I tend to begin messages this way— “I hope this email finds you well during this surreal season.” Whether it’s a work contact I’ve never met or someone I’ve known for years, I imagine saying so much more. Let’s face it, this one-sentence greeting barely scratches the surface of what may be happening off screen in their daily lives—of how the email really “finds” them. I want to reach through the ether and just give them a hug. I think about the words I wish to share…

Living with Change by Guest Author Sophia Perry

"If not now, when?" I'm hanging onto these words, assuring myself I've made the right decision. A million thoughts and pictures of my previous life run through my mind, but I remember a quote I once had read: "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown".