My Sunday list
November 2, 2025 || 46 degrees and drizzly in Nashville || Willie snores behind a pillow
A collection of random things based on what’s in my camera roll.
A slow weekend
I feel like I’m starting to slow down a little. I’ve been trying to since Labor Day to no avail. The release valve has finally been triggered. Finding more stillness allows me to better align intention and action, purpose and direction.
Creativity
Some hits, some misses. I’m challenging myself to learn to paint these ladies, these complicated, wounded, glorious ladies. And I’m just going to keep going. I hope you find new interests from time to time, too. Something that allows you to lose time and therefore distraction, something that requires you to show up. I’m a terrible painter, sketcher, all of it, but sometimes something beyond that shows itself: vulnerability and the beauty of process.
Paying extra attention to my houseplants
I realized I need to give these babies more love. It’s not fair to bring them here to live without paying the proper attention to them. I recently acquired my fourth or fifth maidenhair fern—I’m obsessed with them—I’ve tried hard to love them but finally realized I didn’t know what I was doing. So, I got the Planta app and spent some time with them this weekend, adding fertilizer and making sure I’m watering them correctly, and yes, giving them names so I can talk to them and encourage them.
These colors
I’m keeping my walkway clear but otherwise, I’m leaving the leaves where they fall. The creatures like it better—there are habitats in the dead stuff—if we wait until late spring to cut everything back. Any positive environmental decision helps, big or small. If it’s possible to die of a thousand paper cuts, then certainly the opposite it true. Sometimes it isn’t some monumental thing. Sometimes it’s a lot of little things strung together.
Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley
Every time I have a chance to pick up this book, I don’t want to put it down. It’s so well-written, so well-researched, and so full of love. I’m in the middle of it right now and I’m enthralled.
Thinking about how not to waste my life
Rest is non-negotiable anymore. I’ve reached the age, and stage of emotional development, I guess, where I have to say no more than I really like to. Time gets sucked away so easily and it becomes more important all the time to manage it in a wise way, if possible. That means I have to make my personal boundaries stronger. Always a challenge for me. However, I want to make more art and spend my days without surrendering my energy to joyless pursuits. A tall order, I know.
Thinking about what fortifies my spirit
This new private space. Having conversations that make me feel understood. Early morning coffee and being with my thoughts. Time for finding my way creatively. Working with talented colleagues. The love of my family, and the contentedness of my son.
Growing a garden while the world burns down
Whatever that means to you. Keeping hope afloat in the face of mortality. Staying wholly alive through the relentless pursuit of joy.
I hope your days are bright and your nights are peaceful.
Love
Allison
Thank you, Allison, for talking about the empowerment of “no”.
I'm discovering how much I like to draw. I need creativity without words as a writer and journalist. Writing about governmental policies are maddening and depressing. Making art restores my hope and faith b