I don’t even know how to say this. It’s probably because I don’t want to. I don’t want to say it. I don’t want to think it. I don’t want to know it. And I don’t want it to be real… At 12:14 pm Saturday August 17, my sweet girl, my baby, my V, took one last breath and crossed the rainbow bridge. Nothing has ever felt more impossible. I’m grateful we were together. And that I was holding her to the end. But the emptiness of her loss is palpable. And very loud. And totally unbearable. I had her for most of my adult life. I don’t actually remember home without her in it. She was my home. My entire world. My whole heart. My best friend. My soulmate. And the love of my life. To know V was to love her. She was an abandoned family cat turned feral trash panda turned spoiled princess beauty queen by me. She was opinionated, social when she felt like it, insatiable for belly rubs by Darcy, and funny as hell. If Elaine Stritch and Lucille Ball could be trapped in the body of a 7 lb tortoiseshell rescue cat with a clipped ear, that would be her. She was a back talking, tuna fiend-ing, sunshine loving smarty pants who enjoyed bending q-tips into the shape of her name and scattering them around the house like Zorro. V was here. She made me better. She made me whole. And I may have saved her first but she saved me everyday after. I’m refusing to say goodbye because I made her promise to come find me again. And until that happens I hope she haunts me. I think she will. It seems like something she would get a kick out of. “Now you know Miss Ruth was a lady. And a lady always knows when to leave.”
I don’t even know how to say this. It’s probably because I don’t want to. I don’t want to say it. I don’t want to think it. I don’t want to know it. And I don’t want it to be real… At 12:14 pm Saturday August 17, my sweet girl, my baby, my V, took one last breath and crossed the rainbow bridge. Nothing has ever felt more impossible. I’m grateful we were together. And that I was holding her to the end. But the emptiness of her loss is palpable. And very loud. And totally unbearable. I had her for most of my adult life. I don’t actually remember home without her in it. She was my home. My entire world. My whole heart. My best friend. My soulmate. And the love of my life. To know V was to love her. She was an abandoned family cat turned feral trash panda turned spoiled princess beauty queen by me. She was opinionated, social when she felt like it, insatiable for belly rubs by Darcy, and funny as hell. If Elaine Stritch and Lucille Ball could be trapped in the body of a 7 lb tortoiseshell rescue cat with a clipped ear, that would be her. She was a back talking, tuna fiend-ing, sunshine loving smarty pants who enjoyed bending q-tips into the shape of her name and scattering them around the house like Zorro. V was here. She made me better. She made me whole. And I may have saved her first but she saved me everyday after. I’m refusing to say goodbye because I made her promise to come find me again. And until that happens I hope she haunts me. I think she will. It seems like something she would get a kick out of. “Now you know Miss Ruth was a lady. And a lady always knows when to leave.”
I don’t even know how to say this. It’s probably because I don’t want to. I don’t want to say it. I don’t want to think it. I don’t want to know it. And I don’t want it to be real… At 12:14 pm Saturday August 17, my sweet girl, my baby, my V, took one last breath and crossed the rainbow bridge. Nothing has ever felt more impossible. I’m grateful we were together. And that I was holding her to the end. But the emptiness of her loss is palpable. And very loud. And totally unbearable. I had her for most of my adult life. I don’t actually remember home without her in it. She was my home. My entire world. My whole heart. My best friend. My soulmate. And the love of my life. To know V was to love her. She was an abandoned family cat turned feral trash panda turned spoiled princess beauty queen by me. She was opinionated, social when she felt like it, insatiable for belly rubs by Darcy, and funny as hell. If Elaine Stritch and Lucille Ball could be trapped in the body of a 7 lb tortoiseshell rescue cat with a clipped ear, that would be her. She was a back talking, tuna fiend-ing, sunshine loving smarty pants who enjoyed bending q-tips into the shape of her name and scattering them around the house like Zorro. V was here. She made me better. She made me whole. And I may have saved her first but she saved me everyday after. I’m refusing to say goodbye because I made her promise to come find me again. And until that happens I hope she haunts me. I think she will. It seems like something she would get a kick out of. “Now you know Miss Ruth was a lady. And a lady always knows when to leave.”
Happy birthday to the Queen of Doritos, Aperol Spritz’s, and my heart. Dearest Jenna, there is no one on this Earth more thoughtful, kind, compassionate, warm, beautiful, hilarious without trying, and true to who they are, than you. Thank you for letting me ham by your side even when I’m annoying. I love you.
Happy birthday to the Queen of Doritos, Aperol Spritz’s, and my heart. Dearest Jenna, there is no one on this Earth more thoughtful, kind, compassionate, warm, beautiful, hilarious without trying, and true to who they are, than you. Thank you for letting me ham by your side even when I’m annoying. I love you.
Happy birthday to the Queen of Doritos, Aperol Spritz’s, and my heart. Dearest Jenna, there is no one on this Earth more thoughtful, kind, compassionate, warm, beautiful, hilarious without trying, and true to who they are, than you. Thank you for letting me ham by your side even when I’m annoying. I love you.
Happy birthday to the Queen of Doritos, Aperol Spritz’s, and my heart. Dearest Jenna, there is no one on this Earth more thoughtful, kind, compassionate, warm, beautiful, hilarious without trying, and true to who they are, than you. Thank you for letting me ham by your side even when I’m annoying. I love you.
Happy birthday to the Queen of Doritos, Aperol Spritz’s, and my heart. Dearest Jenna, there is no one on this Earth more thoughtful, kind, compassionate, warm, beautiful, hilarious without trying, and true to who they are, than you. Thank you for letting me ham by your side even when I’m annoying. I love you.
Happy birthday to the Queen of Doritos, Aperol Spritz’s, and my heart. Dearest Jenna, there is no one on this Earth more thoughtful, kind, compassionate, warm, beautiful, hilarious without trying, and true to who they are, than you. Thank you for letting me ham by your side even when I’m annoying. I love you.
The moral of the story is that if you’re gonna move, you want to call the people who care about your things as much as you do, and then of course, you should make pizza. Honey I’m finally home! Thanks @roadwaymoving #roadwaymoving
5 years ago today I married a very nice, very tall, very handsome Canadian gentleman who, let’s face it, probably should’ve known better. I’M KIDDING. But in all seriousness, I don’t know how I got so lucky. I thought he would look at me in judgment when I was sick, but he surprised me with quiet concern and empathy. I thought he’d be burnt out by my recovery process and the intensity at which all of my energy was focused on myself, but he held me up and never took it personally. I thought he’d be frustrated with the 2 years I spent submerged in a writing hole that included several meltdowns and at least one existential crisis, but he said I had to keep going, that what I was doing was important, and that I had to remember why I started in the first place. Mr. Darcy, you are my rock and my heart and the reason I haven’t gone totally bonkers. Thank you for taking me to get fried chicken last night. I ate it with savory joy which is the only way I want to eat for the rest of my life. And I hope you’ll always be sitting across from me. Happy Anniversary. Do I have a fried chicken recipe in the book? No. But I do have a Thanksgiving recipe for Turkey Fingers which is basically the same thing. Link to adulting at the kids table in my bio✌🏼
5 years ago today I married a very nice, very tall, very handsome Canadian gentleman who, let’s face it, probably should’ve known better. I’M KIDDING. But in all seriousness, I don’t know how I got so lucky. I thought he would look at me in judgment when I was sick, but he surprised me with quiet concern and empathy. I thought he’d be burnt out by my recovery process and the intensity at which all of my energy was focused on myself, but he held me up and never took it personally. I thought he’d be frustrated with the 2 years I spent submerged in a writing hole that included several meltdowns and at least one existential crisis, but he said I had to keep going, that what I was doing was important, and that I had to remember why I started in the first place. Mr. Darcy, you are my rock and my heart and the reason I haven’t gone totally bonkers. Thank you for taking me to get fried chicken last night. I ate it with savory joy which is the only way I want to eat for the rest of my life. And I hope you’ll always be sitting across from me. Happy Anniversary. Do I have a fried chicken recipe in the book? No. But I do have a Thanksgiving recipe for Turkey Fingers which is basically the same thing. Link to adulting at the kids table in my bio✌🏼
5 years ago today I married a very nice, very tall, very handsome Canadian gentleman who, let’s face it, probably should’ve known better. I’M KIDDING. But in all seriousness, I don’t know how I got so lucky. I thought he would look at me in judgment when I was sick, but he surprised me with quiet concern and empathy. I thought he’d be burnt out by my recovery process and the intensity at which all of my energy was focused on myself, but he held me up and never took it personally. I thought he’d be frustrated with the 2 years I spent submerged in a writing hole that included several meltdowns and at least one existential crisis, but he said I had to keep going, that what I was doing was important, and that I had to remember why I started in the first place. Mr. Darcy, you are my rock and my heart and the reason I haven’t gone totally bonkers. Thank you for taking me to get fried chicken last night. I ate it with savory joy which is the only way I want to eat for the rest of my life. And I hope you’ll always be sitting across from me. Happy Anniversary. Do I have a fried chicken recipe in the book? No. But I do have a Thanksgiving recipe for Turkey Fingers which is basically the same thing. Link to adulting at the kids table in my bio✌🏼
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
Orange in the New Black turned 11 last week and it really got me thinking about the importance of gratitude. Not for tangible things, but for family. Unexpected and unanticipated family that held you up and supported you and never looked at you like you were nuts when you told them what you were doing. My Orange family was integral on set, and they continue to be integral now. Here’s a trip down memory lane and what some of my beloved cast-mates have had to say about my upcoming book. Family comes to us in so many ways. May we all be lucky enough to see them and know them and cherish them. Thank you all. Preorder 🔗 in bio.
And just like that… she wrote a book. Actually it wasn’t just like that. All told it took about 3 years, the last of which kept me fully confined to what I lovingly refer to as my “hole” which is where I’ve been if anyone was wondering. Turns out, writing a book takes literally every second of your time. It also turns you into a bit of a gremlin so that was fun. Did I brush my hair for a year? I’m honestly not sure. Was it worth it? Yes. Because we have this. It’s a cookbook. It’s a memoir. And what started out as me trying to work through my recovery and make sense of my less than functional relationship with food ultimately turned into an intimate, story filled, funny, sad, honest, absurd, observational, hopeful, and delicious commentary on how the true nemesis of wellness isn’t food like we were all trained to believe, it’s diet culture. Obviously it’s a comedy. I thought I was writing it for myself, but I know now I was writing it for all of us. Presale is up now. 🔗🔗🔗 in my bio. Vive la resistance.
