I just registered for AWP. I'm a literary almost-nobody but I honestly just think it sounds like a blast. I hope I get to hang out with some internet people there!

This has been the shittiest birthday in recent memory, but since we no longer have a dog we just booked an impromptu trip to Pittsburgh to look at art and eat food. Give me recs if you've got them!

I was about to give the last bite of my PB&J to the dog and then remembered she’s not here. I really can’t wait to move past this part of the grieving process, it fucking sucks.

well, I will be using that, with attribution

I’ve been distracting myself from my grief by watching YouTube videos about developing your personal style. By the time I stop crying I’m going to be the most fashionable bitch you’ve ever seen.

This is the second time I’ve been through the loss of a dog, and for various reasons this one is WAY worse. I was not prepared to feel this way. I feel like something’s been physically ripped out of me.

I had no idea this would be the last photo I’d take of her. Rest easy, my sweet girl. Ellie Michelle Riedel-Gilbert, 2012-10/3/25

I do not want to be a parent and I never really have. I'm not a kid person and I have no desire to raise a child. But there is a part of me that wants a baby SO BAD. Again, don't want to parent. And I extremely don't want to be pregnant. But I am low-key obsessed with babies. Kinda wanna steal one.

i feel like im going crazy bc housing prices are crushing me and every day i wake up and see the political convo being "is cantaloupe is woke?" "did TGIF change its logo?" "are we renaming new mexico to new america?"

Sometimes I do something particularly masculine and declare to my husband "I'm the husband now!" and he always replies, sounding so genuinely defeated, "But I don't *want* a husband." He knew who he married!

There’s a house we see on our morning walk that has a catio. We always consider seeing 1 cat somewhat auspicious and 2 cats very auspicious. We stopped to chat with the homeowner today and it turns out there are SIX cats. We only ever see 2 out of 6. That explains a lot about the world right now!

Please don’t be afraid to ask your therapist about their views regarding trans rights, white supremacy, feminism etc. We’re in a moment where ‘blank screening’ these issues is not an option imo. It’s a matter of safety.

When I was 19 I dated this doofus guy who wanted to be a filmmaker. It very much seemed like one of those unrealistic young adult flights of fancy at the time. But we recently got back in touch and damned if he isn’t making films. Still living here, working a corporate day job, but doing the thing.

This only happens to you once

My way of coping with all of the madness is focusing on what I can do to make my community a little bit stronger. So excuse me for all of the earnestness, but I wrote about ways we can all pitch in to support a thriving literary culture. lithub.com/how-to-be-a-...

This seems like a great time for me to say that there are many people in my life who are trans and/or autistic and that they enrich the world in innumerable ways. I love them and want them to be respected, safe, and free.

once again, if tylenol caused autism, america would have a better rail system

PSA: If your parents have told you some version of “Everything you’ll need when we die is in the filing cabinet,” demand to see what’s in the filing cabinet. I did, and if I’d first encountered that mess while mourning I would have lost my mind.

In central AL we encountered some moderately heavy rain — not even enough for me to have my wipers on high. People slowed way down, put their flashers on, and a number even pulled over. In Louisville people would have been doing 80 mph, no headlights on and no fucks given. 🥴

Update from the dogsitter, who said she’s been “a sassy little angel.”

Husband is telling me the different versions of me there would be if I were an action figure: - Kaftan Erin - Therapy Smock Erin - Going Out Erin - Exerclothes Erin (Workout Edition and Hiking Edition) - Gardener Erin Collect them all!

That's an interesting sentiment for a headboard!

I’ve always been hesitant to book a beach vacation this late into September because of hurricanes, but man, this is what’s up. The weather is perfect and there’s hardly anyone here.

not an exaggeration to say I am WEEPING with laughter at this reply from someone who hadn't seen that Robert Redford died today

Oof, this was so good.

JEFF HILLER EMMY WINNER

I feel like they could have — and perhaps should have — gone back to the drawing board with this product name.

This appeared in my feed just below a post I’d already seen twice from the same person.

Me: Come on, let’s go pee! Ellie:

Three months ago my dog was diagnosed with cancer and given 3-6 months to live. In the last three months she has had emergency surgery to remove ingested used tampons, 2.5 seizures, and a sore on her lip that required antibiotics and steroids. Now she is back at the vet because she TORE HER ACL.

I finally started reading this and it inspired me to start lifting at home again and to maybe (finally???) join a lifting gym. It's also an excellent memoir even if you don't care about lifting at all!

“Matt, is this what you’re choosing to do with your one wild and precious life?” - me to my husband, after he informed me that Grimace has a whole family. Including Uncle O’Grimacey, who’s responsible for the shamrock shake.

The French should also call death “The Big Cum” for consistency’s sake.

A perfect day on the patio

Rolled up in a so-called hipster bar at 7:45 on a Friday night and just found a bunch of dorks watching Jeopardy?

One of my favorite types of clients is middle-aged working class (often rural) men who spent most of their lives not “believing in” therapy and have finally reached a breaking point. Hell yeah, brother, let’s talk about feelings and heal some shit!

Help

She had a seizure this morning, which I was not expecting and was not prepared to deal with. Loving an old dog is heartbreaking work.

Nothing will make you feel alone in the world like being an only child with no kids and meeting with an estate planner. Jesus.

I went to the last one and had a blast! You should go!

This is so good.

My favorite summer cocktail!

It happens not infrequently that I'll see an item of clothing online and think "Ooh, I need that!" only to click on it and realize it's for kids. The latest offender? These toddler pants.

A friend is on the apps and the things these men are putting in their profiles are wild. So far there's been a foot fetishist, one looking for a brat to tame, and one looking for a powerful woman who will willfully surrender her power behind closed doors.

I just straightened out a months-long tax debacle AND I have this cute dog!

I used to cook a lot, but my husband is faster and better at it, so he does most of it now. Today I got off early and decided to surprise him by starting dinner. Guess who forgot to reserve 1/4 of the marinade and now has to make a whole new batch. It’s always something. This fucking brain!

Sick of everything being Orwellian or Kafkaesque. I demand more Scarrylous situations, where animals drive vehicles and run small businesses.

The summer of ‘95 was when I first had the urge to kiss my best friend, so this checks out!

What a thrill and an honor to have a piece included in this anthology. I can’t wait to read the whole thing!