The First One

Hi there. For those of you who don’t know me, I live in an apartment in Northern Kentucky that looks out onto the Ohio River. I can see downtown Cincinnati, Ohio from my window. I’ve lived here for a few years, and in that time, I’ve become very interested in the river, its happenings, the boats and barges that float by and any history involving it (and there’s a lot — especially considering I’m on an important border between the North and the South. At one time, crossing this river was the key to a slave’s freedom).

Also worth noting that I quit drinking alcohol (at the time of this post) 285 days ago. Doing so has freed up a lot of mental energy and physical time (I wasted a lot of it drinking alcohol, I’m realizing). My creative bones are achin’. I’m consciously reframing a lot of my brain wires these days, and I’ve been meaning to start this blog, journal, rant-riffer, whatever you want to call it, for a while. It’s the dawn of 2026 and the country is slowly crumbling, so why not just do it (don’t sue me, Nike).

So, I’m doing it. I was inspired the other night by something right outside this window, the very subject matter that I want to document. A woman pulled into the parking lot that sits right by the levee, across from my building, right next to the river. She got out of her car and stared a long time at it just flowing by. At some point, she periodically began raising her arms up toward the sky. Then she’d drop them down and just stare again, taking in her environment. I felt a little odd, like I was invading her privacy, but I couldn’t stop watching.

What was she thinking about?

Why did she pull into that lot at that moment to do this?

Who or what was she reaching toward?

Is she ok?

Is she happy?

Is she sad?

I took a picture to remember the moment that I felt connected to humanity for a minute. Something I’m not really good at doing. I like being alone and humans seem predictable and disappointing (for the most part) to me, so I have less and less desire to interact with them as I get older. Wow, I’m probably revealing too much here, but I guess that might be part of what this little project is here to do. And what is that, you ask?

I want to hold myself accountable for intentionally focusing my creative energy.

I want to learn more about the community, history and goings-on of a rich and vibrant area that lives right outside of my window.

I want to inspire others to learn more about these things alongside me.

I want to be more present and intentional about the things I can control.

So, if you’re along for the ride, welcome. I don’t plan on any set schedule, but we’ll see how this goes. Nerd alert disclaimer: I downloaded an app on my phone called “MarineTraffic,” which tells me the name and many other interesting details about the boats and barges that pass by. I’m not certain how frequently these routes repeat, so I might run out of cool floating traffic to talk about, but there are a lot of interesting facts to discover out that window. I know that for sure.

So, Lady Reaching Toward the Sky, thanks for the inspiration and providing the sign I needed. I hope you’re ok and that the river gave you some of the calm that I feel looking out at it first thing every morning.

P.S. For those that know me really well, don’t worry. Silly, weirdo Daniele will be the dominant voice on this thing. Don’t get used to this serious, reflective shit.

☮️

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