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Today was Goodbye Day. We sat in the yard with the violets, and sunshine warmed our backs. You slowly wagged your tail. Yellow dandelions blinked between green blades of grass you loved to chew. So many times we played in this yard. Romped in the snow, snuggled in the hammock, sat by the fire. But today was Goodbye Day. There would be no new memories. Those I had, were all I would have. Those I have, are all I will have. The routines that made up our days would begin to drop away, leaves in autumn, their job done. Today was Goodbye Day. I knew you were afraid, so I tried to be brave for us both, and sang to you. But perhaps you sensed my sorrow. Because Goodbye Day is still The Hardest Day of My Life, All These Days Later. Today was Goodbye Day, and I felt mocked by the cheerful blossoms bouncing and bobbing in the springtime breeze, because it was all empty of you-- and how could it go on without you, a world and a spring with you, me without you? But you have shown me so many times since then that you are not gone and although today was Goodbye Day, you are always with me. I just have to say Hello. And so... Today was Goodbye Day, but I still say Hello. Today was Goodybe Day, but I love you Forever and Ever, my whole life long.
It is out in the world. And now: I wait.
On April 12 I was treated to a brand new experience: teaching a writing workshop with a ball python named Cinnabun wrapped around and asleep in my arms, her head resting peacefully on a page of my diary. Meanwhile, a bearded dragon naimed Kaida roamed the table, parking herself on a participant’s notebook and generally refusing to move from that spot once she’d claimed it. Also in attendance were another ball python named Doink, a Mexican hognose named Walter, and Freya, a kenyan sand boa. Dawn Deiman of Rising Dawn Yoga Studio led participants in a mindfulness practice focused on their sense of touch, Karen Brace of Awesome ‘Possumz educated them on the reptile ambassadors, and I provided writing exercises and guidance. Registration is open for our next workshop, which will focus on the sense of smell and feature co-hosts Frick and Frack, two adorable (de-scented) skunks. This workshop will take place on June 27. We’ll write with pigeons in August and a fox in October. Keep a lookout for registration for these one-of-a-kind wildlife writing experiences.
Earlier this week, I conducted a phone interrview with the founders of My Three Chambered Heart, a reptile natural history musesum and the focus of my my next article, due later this month. I visited this incredible, interactive museum back in February and am eager to go back.
My discussion with bestselling author Nick Savage, host of the podcast Drinking with Authors, will go live on the afternoon of Thursday, May 7. Join Nick and me as we discuss my debut novel, An Expected End; my various essays in Chicken Soup for the Soul books; Archie; The Littles (watch for Nacho’s cameo and an extended appearance by Archie!); and Nick’s cats; tea; The Good Curse; and more!
Saturday you can find me, along with several other local authors, at the Bon Air Book Festival. I’ll be signing copies of An Expected End and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Pets, Pets, Pets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $10 of every copy sold of the latter will benefit A Pet’s Tale, a local exotic pet rescue that has been very supportive of our learning to care for Archie. See the Literary Calendar below for more details.
Through my affiliation with James River Writers, this summer I’ll be teaching a five-week workshop on personal essay to the residents of Westminster Canterbury Richmond.
The first counting window for Virginia DWR’s Diamondback Dash opens next month. I finished watching the training video this week.
As I expected, Irene M. Pepperberg’s Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Uncovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence—and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process has taught me much about Archie and has made me cry more than a handful of times. What I did not expect, though perhaps I should have, was what I’ve learned about the challenges Pepperberg faced as a woman in the sciences at the time she was working. Both she and Alex faced many obstacles being taken seriously in a male-dominated field. It’s hard to wonder if, had Irene Pepperberg been a man and Alex some other type of animal (one with a larger brain—some humans of the male variety being so preoccupied with size), Alex’s achievements might have been more readily accepted. Pepperberg had to fight to be taken seriosuly not only because she was working with a parrot, who people at the time saw as able merely to mimic and not to engage in meaning-making, but also because she was a woman, who many people at the time saw as out of place in the sciences. Many people didn’t respect her work, believing neither her research subject nor her gender belonged in the field.
Archie, who at one time (for a very long time) was afraid of his scale, perches on it for the very first time, much to my joy and delight. Two days later, I was able to officially weigh him.
The Littles watch as Archie learns to perch on his scale.
A pineapple blossoms in my greenhouse.
A moth disgusied as a stick rests on our backdoor.
April 18, 2026 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Brighton Green Community Center, North Chesterfield, VA
Set aside intentional time and space to build community with folks who share a love of reading. The curated vendor market will bring the best of local bookish crafters, book sellers, and nonprofits together, bringing with them new and interesting offerings for festival goers. Some vendors include Clay Julrie Co. and the James River Writers. Youngest guests will enjoy a fully decorated storytelling tent, crafts, and playground and playing field. The festival will conclude with a live recording of Gigi Howard’s ‘Drinks in the Library’ podcast with her guest, author Meg Medina. The recording will take place in the Brighton Green community building at 3 p.m. Tickets for the podcast are available here: Bon Air Book Festival Live Podcast with Meg Medina and Gigi Howard from Drinks in the Library | Brighton Gatherings - Event Planning
Wild Senses: A Mindful Creative Writing Workshop
June 27, 2026 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Possumbilities, Fredericksburg, VA
This third class will focus on the sense of smell and feature skunk co-hosts Frick and Frack from Awesome Possumz , with future workshops featuring each of the remaining two senses. Registration is $30, plus an item for the rescue.
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