Good Things Lately

The horrors persist but so do we, and the good things…

Andrea Gibson. Their death was expected but still so, so sad. Cancer sucks, y’all. But it was nice to confirm that the corners of the internet that I visit are the right ones - my feeds were nothing but tributes and love for Andrea, which was so lovely. They were so generously vulnerable with the world and have left us so much of their work for when we need it. I’ve been posting some videos I’ve had saved on my phone forever and will continue to. I had posted their poem A Letter for my Dog and someone replied that we don’t deserve dogs. I’d been thinking about it and yeah, we collectively don’t but I really think Andrea did.

I turned 50 last week and I was full of feelings. Not of the “I’m so old” variety because I’m not old but five decades is a lot of living and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. There’s still a lot to learn and do, things to make, people to love. I’m honestly pretty excited about my third act. It started lovely. Friends brought pickles and pastries and flowers and books for the Free Little Library they’re building for me. We laughed a lot and cried a little and it was exactly what I needed.

Also, a friend brought pickle flavored hard seltzer for me. I’m not really a hard seltzer human. If it’s my only option for a crispy cold beverage, I may partake - but I had to try pickle seltzer. I was making a face as I sipped it and the friend who brought it asked if it was like a White Claw, which tastes like someone has burped the flavor into your mouth. I haven’t stopped thinking about that, the most accurate description of a White Claw I have ever heard.

I’m watching a dog tonight who I’m booked with in August. Her people wanted to do a test run to make sure everyone was comfortable. Everyone is comfortable. She’s sleeping on me right now. I look forward to our time in August.

I’ve started work on a large piece of art I’ll be delivering next week for a group show on Last Thursday. I remember my first Last Thursday, fifteen years ago. I remember adding it to my short list of art goals. This isn’t the first time I’ve had an opening then but each time it’s happened has been really neat.

Also neat? I’ve know about this show for a month and I’m just starting my piece now. It’s been a minute since I’ve had an art show so it’s good to know some things never change. I will work on the piece in my head for weeks so once I start drawing and getting the fabric ready for stitching, I know what I’m doing and it’s just a matter of doing it. That’s where I’m at. Same as it ever was.

I finished my 50 by 50 challenge, one day late, which I’m so ok with. I wrote about some deeply personal stuff and some extraordinarily silly shit and a few of y’all read it and I didn’t die of embarrassment. So I guess I have to keep going. That’s how this works, isn’t it?

Lastly, there’s a lot of you now. I went from 80 to 360ish… what the heck, y’all? I’m honored. But also, I think that may be the number of students on campus during a quarter at my tiny liberal arts college and that’s wild. Hi! I’m Shana (Shay-nuh) and I’m an embroidery artist who lives in Portland, OR. I make embroidered street art and other things, and draw dogs. I am in love with my friends and my weird little life. I write because people’s words and stories have saved me over and over. If I could help one person, make one person feel less alone or remind someone there’s good even when things are really bad, I’ll consider myself a success. I’m an anarchist but unless you’re a Nazi or someone who thinks nothing needs to change, we can probably get along — although I do occasionally say things like “oh so you still believe in electoral politics‽ Huh.” I swear a lot because I like swear words. If it bothers you, know it bothers my mom too and she hasn’t convinced me to stop. I write about community, mutual aid, politics, and the state of the word, pop culture, art, dogs, dating and love. I’m all over the place but I swear it’s all connected.

Welcome. Love you. Mean it. I hope your week is filled with good things despite the horrors.