Essays

  • Essays,  General Thoughts

    Overweight in a Size 8: Thoughts on Obesity and Body Image

    What does obesity look like in America? I don’t know if you’ve seen the statistics on obesity in America, but they’re staggering. According to a CDC estimate, as of March 2020,  41.9% of adults in America were classified as obese. What does that mean? It means the people have a BMI, or Body Mass Index of 30 or above. Want to know another startling statistic? During that same period, 19.2% of children age 2 and older were considered obese. That’s not even including anyone with BMIs of 25-29.9, who are considered overweight. Well, I’m 5’1″ tall and currently weigh between 160-165 pounds, so according to the BMI charts, I exceed…

  • Essays,  General Thoughts

    Desperately Seeking Friendship

    I feel like there needs to be an app for people seeking non-romantic relationships. The Tinder for friendships. Maybe there already is an app like that. I should check since I don’t get out much. Married female seeking friends. Loves books, dogs, and has a manageable obsession with Snoopy®. Enjoys movies, writing, and leisurely strolls outside. Dislikes politics, laziness and most country music. People who are rude to service workers need not apply. Maybe it’s not specific enough? Lonely married female seeks companion for shopping, snarky comments, occasional concerts of hard rock or 90s grunge or alternative, and decent servings of chick flicks or scary movies at the theater. Too…

  • A heartbroken woman sitting in the house embracing her.
    Essays,  General Thoughts

    Just get over it

    It’s funny. I find myself saying “Get over it” to my kids sometimes when they’re whining about one thing or another—usually something insignificant in the grand scheme of life like someone eating the last brownie. If only the phrase worked for more significant things. Getting over it would benefit me in so many ways. One year ago today I was unemployed for the first time in my adult life. I was scared, depressed, and hurt over the whole situation. I tried to put on a brave face for my family, but I know they could see through it. About two weeks after that first day of unemployment, I accepted an…