“He has been locked up since he was 16, but now, at the age of 45, has become a go-to in-house counsel for prisoners at Wende. And while the law lets prisoners hire outside counsel, few of them can afford that. So Mr. Lewis has been busy.” Incredible story. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/n...

Stay stellar, Peg. 🌟 Thank you for all that you do to keep us running smoothly.

And that's why community and connection is so important. At the end of the day, your job will not save you from the dystopia we're in. Only community, and our common humanity, can do that.

Proud to be the Volunteer of the Month at @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social! 📚 www.bookstoprisoners.net/post/meet-pe...

Even though I really wanted to share this story of going from being a burnout to being an artist, it still scared me to write it all down. But, I'm glad I did. Hope it brings you inspiration. pegcheng.com/burnout-turn...

Just finished a 6-week Watercoloring Butterflies & Moths class with Robin Bundi at North Seattle College Continuing Education. Loved it! If you’ve been wanting to paint watercolors—even if you’re a total beginner—check out Robin’s classes for Winter 2026. conted.northseattle.edu

Many days can be made better if we pause, breathe, and enjoy the present moment.

Enjoy the present. So easy to say, harder to do. But for a day, every time you think about the past or the future, stop yourself and bring yourself gently back to the present. See how you feel by the end of the day. It makes a difference.

“In thank you letters, readers tell us that books are passed around their unit, to be read and treasured in turn. Patrons speak of unquantifiable benefits provided in a system where outlets for books are scarce and on-site libraries are frequently closed, hard to access, or even non-existent.”

It’s BANNED BOOKS WEEK & @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social is teaming up with indie bookstores. Buy a book for BTP from 10/5-10/11 & they will receive a 1:1 match from a family foundation. BTP is a fantastic organization & I love volunteering for them. 📚 www.bookstoprisoners.net/post/double-...

Truth! This needs to be taught and spread throughout the U.S.

Because I think many of us need this reminder.

Wonderful to watch @marcusdonner.bsky.social present a fantastic wildlife photography workshop last Sat at the Peak Design flagship store in SF! Learn something good every time. Awesome store & staff. Bonus was I got to reconnect with my former mentee/friend Doug. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Today is the Fall Equinox. Take time to soak in the golden light of autumn. Move slower. Savor your food. Let go of things you no longer need. Spend less time with people that don’t support you. Rest and reflect. PAUSE.

Running Up That Hill by @katebushmusic.bsky.social is 40 years old and it’s still as beautiful and haunting today as it was when it was released in 1985. “Be running up that road, Be running up that hill, be running up that building…”

I am stronger than you think. You are stronger than they think. We are stronger than many people think. We will overcome. #resist

Hey SF folx! My hubs Marcus is teaching a FREE wildlife photography mini-workshop on 9/20 at 7pm at Peak Design. 🦉🦭Come out. We’d love to see you!

Last Monday was Labor Day. I did not labor. I hope you didn’t either. We labor enough, don’t you think? But one day off is not enough. WE ARE NOT MACHINES. We are not meant to be stressed & tired all the time. This is not normal. This is not natural. This is not our purpose.

Looking forward to reading THE MAGICAL PEN when it comes out!

There is so much going in the world that can bring you down and make you feel not getting out of bed or leaving the house. There are many days when I feel like this. But I also know that things always change. Always. Keep thinking of the things you hold dear that you still have. DO NOT LOSE HOPE.

Since I left the job world in March, I’ve been taking lots of art classes, crafting with my friend HKC, and allowing myself to delve into my creativity and try new things. I BELIEVE that the more creative I am, the happier I will be. #artsaveslives #craftersgonnacraft #creativelife

This week I finished my 6-week Watercoloring Vegetables & Fruits class with Robin Bundi. Our last project was creating a vintage fruit or veg crate label. So fun! Had no idea how much I‘d learn & progress in this class. Grateful I took it.

Loved this story about a man in Chicago who draws terrible portraits of people for $5. By Sydney Page of @washingtonpost.com. If you need a boost, take a minute to read it. www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/20...

Monthly reminder: Many people have a book in them, but it takes a special kind of freak to leave the Land of Laziness, cross the Plains of Procrastination and Insecurity Mountain, find the Blade of No One Made You Do This, and use it to cut your chest open and yank that book out.

Every summer I get to see these amazing two-tone hydrangeas next door to my energy healer‘s house. How do they get those colors??? 😍

The @marcusdonner.bsky.social and I got the chance to watch WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY yesterday on the big screen with a theater full of giggling kids watching it for the 1st time. #purejoy

My friend's cat, Chumbles, is mostly cloud fur. I'm sure you can tell.

I had no idea how inspired I’d be after watching THE QUILTERS, a short doc about men in a max security prison sewing personalized quilts for foster kids. If you need something heartwarming, watch this. www.netflix.com/title/82006530

We got such a fun surprise last night when we went to Edmonds to watch the sunset and ran into the annual Roper Romp! @marcusdonner.bsky.social and I were grinning ear to ear seeing all the people dressed as Mrs. Roper. #comeandknockonourdoor

I didn’t know about the amazing Margaret Fuller until I read her story in @thepersistent.bsky.social by @josiecox.bsky.social. She kicked ass & inspired feminists all over the world. www.thepersistent.com/email/71a40e...

Before you take another vacation, please read this article by @dcopaken.bsky.social. Two great life tips in here that I am going to follow from now on. 🤘

Touched up my blueberries study from class. 🫐 Feeling good about them, especially the third one in each row. Pics are before and after.

You don’t need a job. You need your basic needs met, and a job is the only way we’ve been told that can happen. What we all really need is quality healthcare, safe housing, reliable transportation, real food, clean water, and time to be in community.

Having a space for making art makes all the difference for getting over the resistance to starting. Facing the blank page stops me before I start. But putting an old desk in a corner of our bedroom with my watercolor supplies laid out spurred me to paint this color study in 3 hours. #feelsgood

This week, I started a 6-week watercolor painting class on fruits & vegetables at North Seattle College. We all did a study of six blueberries using different techniques. Our teacher Robin was very detailed & encouraging. I was surprised that some of my tries looked like blueberries!

A helpful article about waiting, especially for those of us who hate to wait. 🤔

Just finished A PHYSICAL EDUCATION by @caseyjohnston.bsky.social & loved it! If you have ever despaired about your weight, how your body looks, or have tried one too many diets, please read this book. It changed how I think about my body & building strength & inspired me to start lifting. 💪

A few weeks ago, I learned how to make moss art with Little Orchid Annie at @fancyplantsseattle.bsky.social . Never tried it before. It was so much fun!

Last month, my hubs @marcusdonner.bsky.social & I took a road trip to SF so I could take a watercolor class on painting skies by Dave Muller @caseformaking.bsky.social. It was far but worth it, for many different reasons. Whenever I follow my intuition, it leads me to my best & highest good. ✨

Yay! Wonderful that @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social in Seattle finally has a permanent home. They do great work & spend most of their time & resources on mailing books to prisoners who really need them, rather than on fundraising. If you’re looking to donate to a good cause, consider them. 📚

Loved the online watercolor class I took with Anjelika Deogirikar Grossman via @caseformaking.bsky.social! I had sooooooo much fun painting abstract shapes. 😍 If you need a shot of joy & color in your life, take one of their classes. 🎨🖌️🌈

Currently reading & enjoying MUD ROCKS BLAZES by Heather “Anish” Anderson about her journey to set a record thru-hiking the #appalachiantrail. The hard things she goes through! 🤯 It’s amazing & inspires me so much re: what motivated humans can do. 🥾🏔️

Just discovered the Cascadia Art Museum in Edmonds, WA & it had a great exhibit on Johsel Namkang, an amazing nature & landscape photographer from Korea & Seattle.

the blue hour's little silver moon

Great advice & true for every small business owner, especially sole proprietors (as in those of us who work alone).

Hey photogs! 📸 My hubs @marcusdonner.bsky.social is teaching his fun, hands-on wildlife photography class at @woodlandparkzoo.bsky.social on Sat, April 5. Still some spots left. If you’ve ever wanted to take great photos of animals & birds, register today! www.zoo.org/programs/adu...

Reading “THIRST: 2600 Miles to Home” by Heather Anish Anderson. It’s my 2nd time reading it & I love it even more than the 1st time. Inspiring memoir about a formerly overweight nerdy girl who becomes one of the fastest thru-hikers in the world. 🥾🌲

“I live a quiet, nerdy life. Even if I didn’t, there is no reason for all those stories to be out there. It rarely leads to anything good.” Good advice from @thetarotlady.bsky.social. 👌 www.thetarotlady.com/the-hit-list...

This video about running your own art biz by @birdietam.art is REAL. Even though I haven’t had an art biz, I’ve run several others & it’s shocking how much time I had to spend on tasks NOT related to the service or product that my biz was focused on. Watch & learn. m.youtube.com/watch?v=tN3a...

“Overall, I’d just suggest figuring out what makes you happy and spend money on that. And to that end, don’t be afraid to be weird and just do whatever you want. People will judge you regardless so you might as well be happy.” I 💜 Purple—she inspires me. www.makingsenseofcents.com/2021/07/how-...