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She Chose Down
I used to be a middle school science teacher, and one of my favorite kids — let’s call him Ryan — was sensitive. I love sensitive kids because they know…
Jan 31, 2021
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Jesslyn Shields
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She Chose Down
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Blood is made in the dark
It’s the last day on the Gregorian year 2020, and I have broken down crying about a sofa twice in the past 24 hours. We just moved into a new house last…
Jan 1, 2021
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Jesslyn Shields
11
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Blood is made in the dark
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December 2020
Storms and Shoes
A friend of mine has trouble talking to his dad about politics. This is not an uncommon problem, nor is having an elderly white dad who voted for Donald…
Dec 11, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
6
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Storms and Shoes
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November 2020
The Beach
The other day I was on a video conference with some people I didn’t know, and the host thought it would be fun if we all introduced ourselves by…
Nov 11, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
5
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The Beach
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October 2020
Contracts
“What did you think you were going to be like when you grew up?” asked my friend Kate today, after she told me about how she knew she was going to be…
Oct 20, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
3
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Contracts
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Render Unto Caesar What Is Caesar’s
In my family, as in the world, there are some things I can’t have because I’m a girl. You wouldn’t believe how agitated people become when I say this…
Oct 11, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
5
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Render Unto Caesar What Is Caesar’s
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September 2020
Secret at the Center
My grandmother passed away last week. Gigi died well, in her own home, holding the hand of somebody she loved very much. One day I’ll tell you more…
Sep 30, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
6
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Secret at the Center
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Currency
Yesterday afternoon I was walking the dog when two little neighborhood girls came sprinting at me up the sidewalk. “ODESSA’S MOM!” the older one…
Sep 20, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
5
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Currency
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Math Problem
Several years ago, I was at a birthday dinner at a sushi bar and I sat next to a woman who was an artist, but she confessed that what she had always…
Sep 10, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
6
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Math Problem
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August 2020
Hologram
Yesterday I got an email from my mom, subject line: “Sad.” The first line was, “I should never, ever, ever try to do this kind of project on a…
Aug 31, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
7
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Hologram
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Improvements
There are two men in my kitchen running a machine. I don’t know what kind of machine it is but it’s loud and likely a saw. They’re cutting a hole for…
Aug 26, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
8
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Improvements
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Melting Point
Hi! How have you been? Have you personally stress-bought postage stamps in an effort to singlehandedly wrench our democracy from the the slathering maw…
Aug 18, 2020
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Jesslyn Shields
5
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Melting Point
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