Water flows downhill. Everybody knows that.

My hands fly to the armrests at my side as I brace myself for another wave.

The end of the year predictably brings existential contemplation, Spotify Wrapped and Instagram Reels with tiny flashes of the last 12 months.

The hero’s journey is a well-known narrative structure that has historically involved a man who embarks on an adventure, learns a lesson, uses that lesson to win a battle, then returns home transformed.

What does it mean, to say the moment isn’t right?

Outside it's as though there must be two suns – one all heat, and the other all light.

To me, there’s no better place, but people in other places increasingly wonder how anyone can stand to live where I do: Texas, our Texas, my home and native land.

…as Charles Dickens once wrote, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

If bringing a new baby home is parenting basecamp, a swirling chaotic celebration, the first flashes of a million photos, instant inclusion in a village of enthusiastic peers, then launching them into the world as fledgling adults is the mythical mountaintop.

Listening to waves crashing on the beach may be one of the most therapeutic natural sounds on earth.

For over 12,045 nights, I went to bed as his girlfriend or wife. Until the 12,046th night, when I didn’t.

Dominique Bañas just shines.

A compilation of poems based on the roles of daughter, sister, mother and self.

Food is culture – and cooking recipes from my childhood has been a way for me to be more in touch with my heritage.

When I let go of control, though, I can embrace influence. I can put my energy where it may do some good, both for myself and other people, instead of letting it blow off into the ether on things that aren’t my purview and shouldn’t be.

I sat down at a typewriter for this one, which seemed apropos. I needed to escape the expectations of today.