Interaction
I’m distracted. In a blog that is a call to authentic, in-the-moment, creative writing, I am distracted.
I can go to my week one strategy of telling you all about how my orange cat woke me up and begged for food until I gave in, but the honest fact is that I checked my phone.
Once you check your phone how can you not be distracted? Unless you have all your perimeters to protect yourself from the world and its evil, but it’s not just the world - it’s your backyard.
It’s always been in my backyard and in your backyard.
BREAKING: Local man killed after being chased by federal ICE agents (may God bless his soul) in the city I used to watch my baby sister kick ass at AYSO soccer.
There is a community vigil tonight, August 15th, 2025, in Monrovia, California. More information on that can be found HERE and, remember to be a good neighbor to your community.
Have I lost you yet? In a blog that is a call to authentic, in the moment, creative writing; I need to express my heartbreak for my community - it drives me to get up in the morning and do my part in whatever that looks like for me on that very given day. Writing and sharing on a platform that is my own is part of what drove this blog in the first place.
In sharing once again about the night terror that my adorable, silly, goofy, sweet, loving, menace of an orange cat is, I found myself in the spiral of needing to overshare. “I TAKE CARE OF HIM, I PROMISE” I feel like that needs to be in all capital letters. If every time he wakes me up, I eventually give in and give him the can of food that he wants, and then expect him to not to do it again….. that is the definition of insanity. Then he keeps pestering me (he sees me awake reading whatever distracting monster is on my phone) and he keeps at it until my heart cannot take it anymore and I put down my phone and start to play with him.
It is not insane to need interaction. That is what sweet silly orange cat needs in the middle of the night.
We all crave interaction, whether or not those interactions are healthy are up to us. I have enjoyed so many lovely conversations with friends in the last few weeks because I made a conscious decision and effort to not shut myself off, but have fun conversations about pop culture, life, and grief.
It is not insane to need interaction, I believe it’s insane to think we don’t need interaction. Reach out to your neighbors. Have friends over for a meal. Attend community events and show up for and protect your family.
I really wanted to talk about women this week.
I wanted to talk about maternal energy and boundaries and singleness and independence and strength. I wanted to talk about the inherent need for individualism but also needing connection. Interaction.
So maybe I did talk about that. Mutual Aid stems from a feminine heart, and boy oh boy, does my little orange male cat have a soft and feminine heart, especially when it comes to his mama.
This week’s playlist I put together a collection of songs by women who are incredible storytellers - and each song has this sort of introspective energy that I love so much.
Prompt:
For this week’s playlist, put together a collection of songs that make you feel….. Well okay if I say that everyone’s playlist is going to start with Shania Twain!
For this week’s playlist put together some of your favorite songs made by female artists. This is not a trick question and there are no rules. Take a listen to mine first, if you so please, for inspiration.
That is all the energy I feel like I have this morning for this. I am going to go and try and get some more rest.
And I would also like to share with you that I annoyingly put together 13 curated songs, BEFORE, Taylor Swift got that podcast and revealed her new news and just when I started to broaden my horizons….. I’m being sarcastic I always listen to Taylor Swift, anyone who knows me, knows that - and you should not be embarrassed about liking things. Enough of the world is talking about all of that though and writing think pieces about it (maybe in concerning ways) but that is another topic for another time and this is already all over the place.
Have a great Friday and week.
Be creative. Be a good neighbor.
Best,
Elise Ryan
Hello from Saturday August 16, 2025.
Wanted to share a few pictures from the peaceful organized vigil for Roberto Carlos Montoya Reyes life. His niece spoke and the community came together to shed tears, hold space, and raise our voices. I don’t have many more words for how much I care about my community. I leave you with this verse and these photos and information. See you next week.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:8-9 NKJV
There is a GoFundMe for his family. https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-carlos-montoyas-family-donate-now/
