I adopted a cat off the street in May, and now I have a shadow that's not me.
A creature who serves as my anti-apocalypse.
She sits on the couch. She tries to enter the bathroom as I shower. She drinks water and destroys her toys most days. She eats when I eat.
She isn't much. Pure animal presence, like a warm sketch, that wants to be with me.
This has some kind of spiritual message, but it's not deep.
It's what happens when your shadow is warm.
You might want the perfect ocean view from up on high.
But the ocean is a wild creature with its own life cycle. and sometimes all the sand gets washed out to sea.
All the creatures it pulls with it don't need to include you if you respect the distance.
In fact, two weeks ago, it was nearly too strong. Offshore hurricanes are still relevant.
there are forces and they need their space.
Laguna Beach, August 2026
He called his girlfriend from the bathroom at a friend's house.
Not because he needed privacy.
Because if she heard some sound that didn't match his story — she'd know.
His girlfriend berates him. Insults him.
Not a story from before.
He brought up Corinthians. Love is patient, love is kind.
Who has he assigned grace to?
A single viewfinder, and it's pointed at her.
My heart breaks for him.
The same viewfinder, pointed at whoever it is we've decided to call love.
If you think about how much we berate ourselves, a healthier version of us would feel entitled to end that relationship.
No true wisdom can only be external.
