Rachel Ogilby

“Be where your feet are.” It was a quote I stumbled upon and was trying to take to heart, reminding myself of it often throughout the day as my thoughts began spiraling away from the here and now and into the unknown future. My stomach would start to twist in knots as I thought about the impulsive purchase my husband and I made together (which was very possibly an excellent decision; it was just unusual for us to make such a decision without weeks or months of careful calculation). My heart...

Flamingos (or as my toddler calls them, “Flaginmos”) are special birds. They stand on one foot to conserve energy, they can fly up to 35 miles per hour, and wonderfully, a group of flamingos is called a “Flamboyance”. They eat upside down and are excellent dancers. But most interesting to me, as a mother, is their bright pink color. Did you know flamingos are not always pink? Their pink color comes from eating a diet high in beta-carotene (think: shrimp and other crustaceans). When flamingoes...

This past year I practiced taking up space, as much space as I would dare. The pink pillows in my home and the stenciled flowers were one way I experimented with my own courage. The thrifted floral skirt and the costly new pink trench coat were experiments, too. Could there be space for me in our home? In our budget? Could I be brave enough to take up space in my own life?