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Cooking soup is my favorite kind of kitchen ritual because it is grounded in comfort. I love that soup begins simply and becomes something expressive. A handful of ingredients, a bit of heat, and time to develop that quiet conversion feels deeply satisfying to me. Soup lets me improvise, adjust, and follow my instincts rather than strict rules, and I enjoy the freedom to build flavor in a way that’s both relaxed and intentional.

It’s a dish meant to be shared, something that warms people and brings them together. Cooking it allows me to take ordinary ingredients and turn them into nourishment, both for myself and for others. In many ways, soup represents the kind of presence I try to bring to my life: adaptable, comforting, and made with care.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite thing to cook?

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Living so close to the Arizona State Fair almost makes it feel like a missed opportunity to experience the rides, the concerts, and the wild food creations they try each year. But my hesitation makes sense. Driving in Phoenix can feel like navigating a maze of impatient traffic, confusing interchanges, and sudden lane merges that seem designed to test your stress tolerance. Add in the parking situation paying premium prices just to leave your car in a dusty dirt lot. Why I say “maybe next year.” The hassle can overshadow the excitement before you even get through the gates.

The fair itself has a lot to enjoy from what I hear from people who go there and from the description on the web. The food vendors offer the classic favorites along with a few creative options. The rides add a fun mix of nostalgia from my childhood memories of going to the county fairs growing up. The atmosphere is lively without being overwhelming, and it’s easy to spend a few hours wandering around, trying snacks, and taking in the sights.

Daily writing prompt

Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.

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The one snack I would eat now would be the grape Now and Later. It was the kind of treat you could get for a nickel from the corner store. After school, I’d make a little detour on my walk home, the kind of place where the bell on the door jingled every time a customer walked in.

The owner always seemed to know what I was there for, and I’d grab that small, shiny wrapper like it was the highlight of my day.  I’d wander in with a few coins in my pocket, feeling like I had all the riches I needed. I’d grab that little purple pack, tear it open before I even reached the sidewalk, and let the sweet grape flavor carry me the rest of the way home. Those walks, sun warm on my face, backpack swinging, candy sticking to my teeth felt like the simplest kind of happiness.

Daily writing prompt

What snack would you eat right now?

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Writing paranormal romance brings out a very specific kind of creativity in me the kind that wonders, “What if the brooding love interest is actually a shapeshifter who keeps accidentally turning into a raccoon whenever they get nervous?” There’s something hilarious and oddly charming about mixing supernatural drama with the kind of romantic tension that could power a small city. The genre basically hands you a mysterious forest, a full moon, and a dangerously attractive person who may or may not have paws sometimes, and says, “Have fun with that.”

And trust me, I do. Paranormal romance with shapeshifters lets my imagination run wild in the best way. I get to explore worlds where a first kiss might trigger an unexpected transformation, or where the biggest relationship hurdle is “Sorry I missed dinner, I got distracted chasing squirrels.” It’s a playground where humor, heat, and a little bit of animal chaos all mingle together, and I’m more than happy to stir that pot.

Daily writing prompt

How are you creative?

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Choosing between Superfriends from the 1970s and Scooby-Doo feels almost impossible because both shows hold such a special place in my life. On one hand, Scooby-Doo brings endless fun with its quirky mysteries, adorable characters, and that unforgettable mix of humor and suspense.

On the other hand, Superfriends captures the adventure of superhero, with iconic figures like Superman, Batman, and especially Wonder Woman, my absolute number one hero. Her strength, courage, and sense of justice make the series stand out for me, giving it a powerful edge that’s hard to overlook.

Each show offers something unique: Scooby-Doo delivers lighthearted mystery-solving, while Superfriends inspires with larger-than-life heroes. That’s why deciding between them is so tough. They both shaped my love for storytelling in completely different ways.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite cartoon?

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Over the years, I’ve faced many difficult decisions, but the one that stands out as the hardest was choosing not to return to long-term substitute teaching after Covid. Teaching was never just a job for me. I loved the kids, the rhythm of the school day, the energy of the classroom, and the sense of purpose that came with being part of an educational community. Walking into a school felt like stepping into a second home, where laughter, curiosity, and growth filled the halls. But when the world shifted because of the pandemic, so did my priorities. Covid forced me to reevaluate what mattered most, and where I wanted to devote my time and energy. While my heart was dedicated to the classroom, another piece wanted different. The chance to pursue my writing.

The decision was painful. It meant stepping away from a role that gave me joy and fulfillment. It meant saying goodbye to the daily interactions with students, the small victories of helping someone grasp a concept, and the camaraderie of working alongside dedicated educators.

But it also meant saying hello to possibility of the blank page, the stories waiting to be told, the chance to create something lasting. In the end, I chose writing because it represented not just a career shift, but a commitment to myself. It was a leap into uncertainty, but also into validity. Teaching will always hold a special place in my heart, but writing allows me to explore my voice, share my viewpoint, and perhaps reach people in a different way.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why?

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