My favorite cardio is running from my emotions.
Though sometimes they join me for dinner.
Welcome to Love + Travel, where wandering meets belonging.
You can find the entirety of my writing here, including last week’s Pickled Ginger, Radishes & Crackers.
My husband, Phil, so graciously produced today’s poem. Give the voiceover a listen to support Black marriage.
SUNDAY DINNER
I sit for dinner a spread, a glass of wine - an evening of fun. The kitchen calls I rise and return to a dinner party. A room completely overrun. Apparently I am hosting, an assignment out the blue All of these guests, emotions, here for cherry pie and their due. Rage and Playfulness bond over intensity an odd couple but one without a hitch Joy hangs from the chandelier, absolutely radiant, shining a light on Loneliness. Delight stares up at the crown moulding admiring the napkins for pattern and fold. Sadness walks in late says hi to no one and takes her tea slightly cold. They're all my guests each one welcome. And I hope to treat them the same. Even when Anxiety juggles a lit candle and two steak knives while I'm moments from going insane. I smell the fresh bread trace the doorway with my eyes roll the remnants of drink on my tongue fold my hands on top my thighs I move my chair closer to Equanimity which sometimes goes by stillness or nonchalance While Curiosity dances with Desire, both draping their purses over a sconce. Grief is notably absent and all confer and agree, that even while vital its heavy presence makes all the others flee. Love walks around, keeping cups full within the hall. Doubt eyes everyone suspiciously with her back against the wall. There's friction and irritation and I want to eat in peace But if I am real patient, sipping my vino and enjoying the feast If I observe the thrown napkin elbows on the table pie balancing on knee they slink out the door as quickly as they came and all that's left is me.
TODAY’S TIDBIT
Kara Walker's installations are renowned for their dynamic use of space, scale, and intricate layers of meaning.
If you're in the Bay Area, carve out some time to visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to see her latest work, Fortuna and the Immortality Garden (Machine).
No rush, though—it’ll be on view until Spring 2026.
COMMUNITY CORNER
👣 Writing geared towards daughters will always get me. Congratulations
on this moving piece and all the joy coming your way!😴
’s coming in hot with the reminder to go sit down somewhere. Rest is not optional, and burnout is REAL!📸 First repetition, then, world-building. Coco Mocoe’s branding breakdown of Sabrina Carpenter’s rise gets straight to the point.
LET ME KNOW
What’s an emotion that always shows up at your dinner table?
Thoughts on the voiceover? Yay or nay?
What was the last really good meal you had? Did you enjoy it alongside anyone?
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Annoyance usually sits with me at the table — cuz mfs always tryna distract me when I’m just tryna have my meal in peace!
I loved the voiceover. The background, the delivery, your tone is inviting.
The last really good meal was a random pasta dish I cooked up for me and my bestie to enjoy. It tasted better because of her appreciative noises throughout the meal.
I’d love to have dinner with you, actually. I think that would be a cackalacking and fascinating good time.
The poem! And your reading of the poem!! So perfect. I especially love the background sounds and music.