a running account, updated as it changes
4 September 2026 · Gulf Coast, Florida, USA
One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see an exquisite picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words. — Serlo in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's novel Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship
Reading
Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions by Gloria Steinem
I had hoped for a chance to be in the presence of Gloria Steinem. One possibility was to hear her speak at The New Yorker Festival in October. Alas, it is not meant to be. Instead, I am reading her writing, hearing her voice, absorbing her essence. Thank you, Gloria. May we all continue to carry the light.
Listening
Dolly Parton
Growing up in Tennessee, I was no stranger to the luminous Dolly Parton, truly a paragon of our time. "Here You Come Again," "9 to 5," and "Islands in the Stream" play on repeat, comforting and brightening my spirit. I imagine both Dolly and Gloria lived Goethe's advice, and we so appreciate their reasonable words.
Growing
Knock Out Roses
After months of beautiful red petals, the heavy August rains brought fungus to the luscious leaves. With lots of TLC and keeping the potted rose under cover from the afternoon storms, I'm hopeful for a strong showing through the last bit of summer.
Creating
Bucket List Planner
Similar to the system I built to prioritize books I want to read, I am organizing my past travel and inventorying where I want to go next. The process has been a pleasure, remembering special people, places, and experiences. It feels more important than ever to make plans with intention and purpose, and even a sense of urgency.
Learning
Mahjong — Singapore-style
Every free moment, I'm playing the Mahjong Leh! app to brush up on the Singapore-style rules before rejoining the American Women's Association weekly meetup in Singapore next week. Being in the US this year, I've missed this community ritual.
Working
Training AI models
A few months in, I'm enjoying the analysis, writing, and editing. What an interesting time to be at the forefront of this rapidly changing technology. See LinkedIn ↗ for more on my professional career.