https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1515696094335-Y2TVY567OAN0YOIG22OT/K9HFbl3.jpg Blog https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/tenant-mc22a-LUT7X monthly 0.5 2025-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/e5a5c16f-9fb0-4645-bae5-6bda6c7f94ea/Screenshot+2025-08-12+at+10.24.35%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Tenant" by Frieda McFadden (Copy) - Suspicious new tenant Brings chaos to a couple Who is she really? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/tenant monthly 0.5 2025-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/e5a5c16f-9fb0-4645-bae5-6bda6c7f94ea/Screenshot+2025-08-12+at+10.24.35%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Tenant" by Frieda McFadden - Suspicious new tenant Brings chaos to a couple Who is she really? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/party monthly 0.5 2025-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/9dd85d0e-0f5d-405c-aa70-f3e209369da1/Screenshot+2025-08-12+at+10.20.12%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Party" by Natasha Preston - A teenage party At an abandoned mansion Who is killing them? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/911 monthly 0.5 2025-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/32b04901-fe7f-4886-aed9-ff9ab67d9faf/Screenshot+2025-07-04+at+4.50.16%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Woman Who Wasn't There" by Robin Gaby Fisher - Unbelievable truth She tells horrifically tragic lies Why does she do it? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/3women monthly 0.5 2025-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/e16a3ba5-82ea-49ff-ad27-9e17968e4961/Screenshot+2025-07-04+at+4.43.04%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Three Women Disappear" by James Patterson and Shan Serafin - The kingpin is murdered The wife, the maid, and the chef Did they act alone? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/bellevue monthly 0.5 2025-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/afe4ac53-2d33-4769-be42-270b9967ea07/Screenshot+2025-07-04+at+4.30.45%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Bellevue" by Robin Cook - A family legacy Of barbaric medical procedures Haunts a young doctor. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/nogood monthly 0.5 2025-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/641d3fb2-720e-4f21-821e-b352f6c8937c/Screenshot+2025-07-04+at+4.38.34%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good" by Helene Tursten - Unassuming old lady Protects her peace at all costs How far will she go? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/obitchuary monthly 0.5 2025-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/c04c2f30-3629-4dd7-9868-d187cd844222/Screenshot+2025-07-04+at+4.16.33%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Obitchuary: The Big Hot Book of Death" by Madison Reyes and Spencer Henry - Death comes for us all Let it be celebratory Go out with a bang. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/disappeared monthly 0.5 2025-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/0c51f8f3-19be-4e51-90ea-13c56fe0bdf7/Screenshot+2025-03-17+at+11.25.51%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared" by Jonas Jonasson - Need for adventure A drunk centenarian's birthday Old doesn't mean dead. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/hunting monthly 0.5 2025-07-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1dce15b5-edbd-4ae9-b82a-929a571180de/Screenshot+2025-03-17+at+11.16.46%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Hunting Party" by Lucey Foley - Ring in the New Year Old friends' secrets, shared and kept Who killed Miss Perfect? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/middletide monthly 0.5 2025-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/e5c9f486-3c23-4012-99c4-bf45deae6af1/Screenshot+2025-03-17+at+11.10.43%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Middletide" by Sarah Crouch - A young love's promise Tragic accidents, revenge So twisted and sad. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/turnout monthly 0.5 2025-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/f89b8013-bd46-4ded-b143-317af3303d05/Screenshot+2025-01-01+at+5.36.43%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Turnout" by Megan Abbott - Two dancing sisters Fires, a contractor, a husband Family trumps all. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/everywhere monthly 0.5 2025-01-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/5c4cff8f-6e21-4e2c-b6d5-ba03ed7ca748/Screenshot+2025-01-01+at+5.26.59%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Still See You Everywhere" by Lisa Gardner - Murderer wants help Sister: hostage or mastermind? Island of secrets. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/pizza monthly 0.5 2025-01-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/25bcb089-0a53-4073-8b93-24f10d42caf2/Screenshot+2024-12-05+at+3.17.03%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Pizza Girl " by Jean Kyoung Frazier - A pregnant teen girl Delivers pickle pizza The stalking begins. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/hell monthly 0.5 2024-12-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/7945d109-42e6-409f-8028-520668d411d5/Screenshot+2024-12-05+at+3.07.53%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "A Short Stay In Hell " by Steven Peck - Soren is in purgatory An infinite library Will he find his book? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/antelope monthly 0.5 2024-12-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/6ed54d48-51f5-4fe6-a509-3a81dd16a688/Screenshot+2024-12-05+at+2.56.04%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Where The Deer and The Antelope Play " by Nick Offerman - Guy from Parks & Rec Journies into National Parks Don't pet the bison. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/rules monthly 0.5 2024-12-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/5bacb092-91cc-49a2-bbc1-ac83cc1789be/Screenshot+2024-07-12+at+9.29.13%E2%80%AFAM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Rules Do Not Apply" by Ariel Levy - A woman's story A life of love, loss and change Flaws make us, break us. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/davinci-code monthly 0.5 2024-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/bce8b12a-38e1-41f8-b1f3-dcc898ee96b2/Screenshot+2024-06-29+at+1.24.16%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown - The prized Holy Grail A world of hidden symbols Are answers out there? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/hurts-so-good monthly 0.5 2024-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/8d2f69a6-d0b5-46f6-b8b3-590dec3330a5/Screenshot+2024-06-29+at+1.19.16%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Hurts So Good: The Science and Culture of Pain on Purpose" by Leigh Cowart - Some of us fear pain Others seek it out for fun Mind over matter. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/liquid-rules monthly 0.5 2024-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/8c7d05d9-0109-4843-b549-e9e190048e97/Screenshot+2024-06-29+at+1.13.15%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Liquid Rules" by Mark Miodownik - A man takes a flight Pondering liquids around What a strange, wet world. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/apothecary monthly 0.5 2024-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/9f97ba7b-4886-4e07-9b04-54ac48abc5b7/Screenshot+2023-07-21+at+11.33.30+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Lost Apothecary" by Sarah Penner - In a secret room Poisons made for men who sin Courage and magic Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/learn monthly 0.5 2024-01-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/ef046ae5-efe4-4c36-a216-ea783e0050c8/Screenshot+2023-06-13+at+2.14.14+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "They Never Learn" Layne Fargo - Murderess wants blood Golden boys accused, then dead What is a villain? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/mom-khd52 monthly 0.5 2023-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/e7b3dc15-f840-4310-b705-d43638c00bc2/Screenshot+2023-05-13+at+12.59.00+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Improvement" by Joan Silber - A single mother Every decision, reach unknown Who's really at fault? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/4000 monthly 0.5 2023-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/7cf62828-3a0f-4aec-8e14-99972d669cad/Screenshot+2023-07-06+at+9.48.37+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Four Thousand Weeks" by Oliver Burkeman - How to spend a life Just don't worry so much, dude Self-help books are dumb Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/glass-KEKL3 monthly 0.5 2023-11-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/a2559cea-18aa-4697-86d2-77e7b89afe51/Screenshot+2023-05-13+at+12.55.49+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls - Family nomad life Poverty or adventure? Breaking the cycle Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/mom monthly 0.5 2023-10-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/035f0dd5-07b3-4bbb-9465-ad5b90217a26/Screenshot+2023-05-13+at+12.47.24+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy - A child star grows up Mommy dearest, not so much Fame doesn't stop trauma Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/dying monthly 0.5 2023-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/c26bc4af-1ad4-4684-a719-3cbe3465b95a/Screenshot+2023-05-13+at+12.42.46+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Dying Game" by Asa Avdic - Mother with dark past Desk job to secret mission How far will it go? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/haunted monthly 0.5 2023-08-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/144018e0-c884-4c8a-a90f-524f9541cc0c/Screenshot+2023-05-13+at+12.37.10+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Help For The Haunted" by Joan Searles - Two troubled sisters Ghost hunter parents murdered Paranormal or worse? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/boogeyman monthly 0.5 2023-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/076cf8e7-a9f6-4a5e-ae12-6a255b585875/Screenshot+2023-02-27+at+10.38.57+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Chasing the Boogeyman" by Richard Chizmar - Idyllic suburbs childhood Interrupted by murder Monsters among us Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/idiot monthly 0.5 2023-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/9fc7549f-4053-4492-9b28-600d769f6793/Screen+Shot+2022-07-08+at+6.07.16+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Idiot Brain" by Dean Burnett - Why do we do it? Brains are simple and stupid Humans aren't that great Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/last monthly 0.5 2023-05-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1e9773bb-1844-486f-97b0-dd5ae2d46656/Screen+Shot+2023-01-30+at+9.17.40+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Last Thing He Told Me" by Laura Dave - A missing husband Ominous note: "protect her" Who is he really? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/castle monthly 0.5 2023-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/6cc94fb1-4755-4312-8c18-93471a1f8d1d/Screen+Shot+2023-01-30+at+9.04.57+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls - A nomad family Poverty as adventure A dream to escape Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/discredit monthly 0.5 2023-03-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/acb7d3be-7e70-46c2-bc87-593b149b40d8/Screen+Shot+2022-12-29+at+12.34.25+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Something That May Shock and Discredit You" by Daniel M. Lavery - Inner conflict, joy The journey of a trans man What would Jesus do? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/searcher monthly 0.5 2023-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/35081d5b-602c-436b-a676-16e2f35c9ab1/Screen+Shot+2022-12-29+at+12.26.15+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Searcher" by Tana French - A Chicagoan in Ireland Latchkey boy goes missing, who cares Locals keep secrets Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/if-only monthly 0.5 2023-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/9291c517-edef-4823-bebc-5c408cfa8fc0/Screen+Shot+2022-12-29+at+12.21.15+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "If She Only Knew" by Lisa Jackson - A deadly car crash Mistaken identity She must know something Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/vow monthly 0.5 2022-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/b8670421-3f99-4f06-86f2-b1b843b4bc4b/Screen+Shot+2022-12-29+at+12.16.49+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Every Vow You Break" by Peter Swanson - A one-night mistake A luxury honeymoon An incel's revenge Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/hard-way monthly 0.5 2022-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/a86ff22f-d86b-4474-bf1b-708d2d4dfca0/Screen+Shot+2022-11-14+at+9.29.23+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Hard Way" by Lee Child - Mother and daughter A kidnapping in New York Who's hiding from who? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/long-lost monthly 0.5 2022-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/35aa1b47-7f67-48a8-a72c-d932699b2fa1/Screen+Shot+2022-11-14+at+9.20.44+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Long Lost" by Harlan Coben - A murder in Paris Where do unused embryos go A new master race Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/tarzan monthly 0.5 2022-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/6a75bee7-134e-4255-a410-ad4ff87d59a6/Screen+Shot+2022-08-13+at+1.08.48+PM.png Blog - Opening the Disney (Trauma) Vault: Tarzan - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/aladdin monthly 0.5 2022-08-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/b3dd97ab-8de9-4e10-97c2-23eb2d13b2ff/Screen+Shot+2022-08-09+at+7.24.53+PM.png Blog - Opening the Disney (Trauma) Vault: Aladdin - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/mulan monthly 0.5 2022-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/6d9fc7e5-063a-4a0a-ba21-b0e7c3e9b6da/Screen+Shot+2022-07-18+at+12.27.59+PM.png Blog - Opening the Disney (Trauma) Vault: Mulan - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/b8ec2b3d-ecd5-4782-add8-0efdb08289e6/Screen+Shot+2022-07-18+at+3.12.42+PM.png Blog - Opening the Disney (Trauma) Vault: Mulan - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/jungle monthly 0.5 2022-07-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/8166334e-5023-4499-b01a-268bbd7ade51/Screen+Shot+2022-06-16+at+6.15.56+PM.png Blog - Opening the Disney (Trauma) Vault: Jungle Book - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/90111157-f424-43a3-b873-6cf5e6bf9198/Screen+Shot+2022-06-16+at+1.55.59+PM.png Blog - Opening the Disney (Trauma) Vault: Jungle Book - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/mermaid monthly 0.5 2022-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/830489e2-b3b8-4317-b085-3c0e0d9c6bb7/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Opening the Disney (Trauma) Vault: The Little Mermaid - Make it stand out Photo shamelessly ripped from Google. Please don’t sue me, Disney. I have nothing and no one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/5f438953-2dcc-4f67-9a7d-654692fc3593/IMG_1557.jpg Blog - Opening the Disney (Trauma) Vault: The Little Mermaid - Make it stand out An adorable, curly-haired Lauren playing with the hose in the 90s. She would never know happiness like this again. https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/sister monthly 0.5 2022-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/bbd76e8f-9d2f-4e69-a01e-9b38d0d6dac0/91vWDBRqMqL.jpeg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "My Sister the Serial Killer" by Oyinkan Braithwaite - A sister who kills A sister who cleans and confides Men are all the same Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/teeth monthly 0.5 2022-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/a7385ea4-b5c9-4aea-b5a3-290c642965d8/Screen+Shot+2022-05-08+at+6.24.15+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Story of My Teeth" by Valeria Luiselli - A strange auctioneer, Clowns, a juice factory, a priest His son takes his teeth Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/rage monthly 0.5 2022-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/92f542c6-3c62-47b4-95ca-2cae879e7848/Screen+Shot+2022-01-03+at+10.49.38+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Only Rage" by Rylie Dark - A scorned detective Death by a thousand crab cuts Young au pairs beware Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/ghosts-9sfky monthly 0.5 2022-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/3de4a503-c936-4671-baa5-012fe01d3e04/Screen+Shot+2021-12-15+at+4.38.30+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson - Chicago, World's Fair Politics and construction A man on the hunt Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/ghosts monthly 0.5 2021-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/6649c9a1-1825-4e89-aa92-e016056121b8/Screen+Shot+2021-12-15+at+4.29.43+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Ghosts of Eden Park" by Karen Abbot - Cincinnati: bootlegger land Prohibition, power and lust Never get married Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/whennoone monthly 0.5 2021-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/83a0aa29-10ca-499b-9c4c-a7b4bfb1266e/Screen+Shot+2021-12-15+at+4.22.37+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "When No One is Watching" by Alyssa Cole - Modern gentrification But a tale as old as time Who breaks the cycle Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/grit monthly 0.5 2021-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1632777416781-BD6DMEOQ8GW8HJFTRIIA/Screen+Shot+2021-09-27+at+4.16.21+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Grit" by Angela Duckworth - How do we succeed Get knocked down, but get back up Still will not workout Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/myth monthly 0.5 2021-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1632776704866-MV5K30UQLFBE7MMIGO7D/Screen+Shot+2021-09-27+at+4.02.15+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Myth of You & Me" by Leah Stewart - A friendship betrayed A death, a gift, a mission We are all imposters Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/fun-age-l4t8l monthly 0.5 2021-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1622125346651-QWX1C5VXLZFBR5J3IUQ3/Screen+Shot+2021-05-27+at+9.21.59+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "What Happened to You?" by Bruce Perry, MD, PhD & Oprah Winfrey - Lizard brain knows all Trauma lives in all parts of us Start with the lizard Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/fun-age monthly 0.5 2021-05-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1622123658939-P1RTS6AMH6HWQOT0DNV5/Screen+Shot+2021-04-15+at+11.16.40+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Such a Fun Age" by Kiley Reid - An innocent babysitter What to do when worlds collide Racial tension and spite Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/feel monthly 0.5 2021-05-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1618503504736-NVN6YGNQCVQMBFKDPTDL/Screen+Shot+2021-04-15+at+11.16.40+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Permission to Feel" by Marc Brackett, Ph. D. - Emotions are hard You must name them to know them Can't I just stay mad? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/library monthly 0.5 2021-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1618502196409-EFDNV76OGV95RYWF0ZG0/Screen+Shot+2021-04-15+at+10.53.17+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig - Between life and death There is a space to explore What would you change now? Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/mayfair monthly 0.5 2021-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1618500151731-ZE335I9221CI9L0NSW8K/Screen+Shot+2021-04-15+at+10.15.27+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Murder at the Mayfair Hotel" by C.J. Archer - A hotel in Cambridge A young woman with a hunch Orphan turned Sherlock Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/parents monthly 0.5 2021-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1618502654535-86AZ6F6P4AVG7JZPPRAU/Screen+Shot+2021-04-15+at+11.03.53+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD - Therapeutic quest Facing the truth sucks so hard Grow and overcome Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/gathering monthly 0.5 2021-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1618500408488-M50SKXTQ299097QHLPNQ/81pczj5b0cL.jpeg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters" by Priya Parker - Vulnerability The root of every meeting Connection is key Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/antiracist monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1605824439234-D5SRARNVGB1A382X04J2/Screen+Shot+2020-11-19+at+4.19.25+PM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi - I know so little Oppression. My privilege. I will learn and change Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/leadership monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1597282372399-DDI0OFSVO3AQ33PQXLTZ/leadership.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Leadership Language" by Chris Westfall - Devoid of meaning Bragging and rambling about himself This book was awful Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/devil monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1597281915838-2NR8H5VNEM9P85N1NT5B/devil.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Devil in the Details" by Jennifer Traig - A time before meds Odd compulsions, decidedly not Kosher Control just out of reach Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/light monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1597280789362-2RZ4UF2KON0TPZA921PE/0008138303.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr - World War Two stories Museums, myths, a blind girl All that for a rock Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/run monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1597281341217-CKZE5BZM8I7U0XDNBDDG/run.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Run Away" by Harlan Coben - Family secrets Tangled web of hope and loss Truth will always rise Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/fires monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1597281199784-JLNH0CINT36JKORZY7AQ/Light.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng - Families rich, poor Everyone here has secrets Expected more fires Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/boy monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1581527947639-BQRG9XAWXSYPN838EJ8Z/boy.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Boy in the Photo" by Nicole Trope - Her son is kidnapped Who is he now? Not the same. Dad was never dead Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/strong monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1581526854724-3M09I3TG9UYK38HRB688/Screen+Shot+2020-02-12+at+11.00.23+AM.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" by Amy Morin - Familiar advice Growth takes time and empathy God, I'm not patient. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/peculiar monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1581526254973-U0IQOI3SSG83K0SF9L7D/peculiar.jpeg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Tales of the Peculiar" Ransom Riggs - Tales meant for children Horrible, scary fables Nightmares to follow Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/marshmallow monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578080612178-YO20WHYEJWD455VRUDUC/24396840._SY475_.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Marshmallow Test: Why Self-Control is the Engine of Success" Walter Mischel - Marshmallows tempt kids. Good things come to those who wait. Life is to suffer. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/sushi monthly 0.5 2020-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578077710681-DVZ41C183F8NEXWLKSSU/kenneth.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi - Me at 22: Fish? Gross. Raw fish? Why. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578077646161-L9E1JHEIZD8FB5NXQKJ4/scott.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi - Me at 29: Gimme some of dat sweet sashimi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578078969093-5U9AFF507FBIQKIPFLHL/o+%281%29.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi Photo Credit: Yelp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578079233245-RBXUHNF0WQO3HKHTJW8Y/o+%282%29.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi Photo Credit: Yelp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578078302344-2XCULHS13G7FUB6D6BPU/train.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi NOTE: Not actual footage of Sushi+ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578078177552-U05FBJQ3V8OEMNOIDR1N/colbert.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578079766433-U0L3UXZZT7ABJC4OR3Z0/o.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi Photo Credit: Yelp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578079513206-UC1FJ9FDQY6CHEDHXK0Q/giphy+%281%29.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578079382076-LTJNW74LBX0ZIDJF21K0/giphy.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578079107824-FGHPX48I9N9136L10A8F/o.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi Photo Credit: Yelp Look at all that math. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1578078656123-Y9BGAJOQQBNC0DICXQ5U/andy.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Rotary Sushi https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/the-doctor monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1559680228816-ER4GM1EB0QIYIQ22KAN0/doctor.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly: A Physician's First Year" by Matt McCarthy - A doctor's first year. He's scared, humbled, tired and young. Careful with needles. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/bavettes monthly 0.5 2020-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1543866124937-YJ99QWOQQPJMQZTXK5G1/bavettes.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf Photo Cred: Bavette’s Website https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1545158384867-E7DPW7BTJM5PJIJUFLDQ/rs_500x278-141203132913-tumblr_naee7cvsYp1roebgro1_500.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1545158661348-RXN0SPTZD4UXKNZEA43W/HardtofindFrighteningBluebird-size_restricted.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1545158518619-0JGW5AO08S86UHTPSY0A/tenor.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1545157479275-OI2J1UP3M5OL0Y0NNLCO/883489_523753717674655_976119281_o.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf Photo Cred: Dining Chicago https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1545157242171-L1FGFK8G7EPXNL5DHYSP/image.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf Photo Cred: Bavette’s Website https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1545156646697-RIBZQUU5UUGREO8YPQTS/bavettes_food3.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf Photo Cred: Trip Advisor GOD, JUST LOOK AT IT. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1545156750742-VVD5CFQT6N7YQ16QLVDL/Bavettes-600x600.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf Photo Cred: The Googs Look at that stupid, delicious egg of whipped cream. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1545158848565-J4PJZLE6I3KTM5VNG3MD/tenor+%281%29.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/the-flight-attendant monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525706534468-O4FUW3L0QWEHM9SF2A1I/2018-05-07_1021.png Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Flight Attendant" by Chris Bohjalian - Drunk stewardess screws man. At dawn he's dead, was it her? The sister knows more. Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/honey-butter monthly 0.5 2020-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1528485999645-4AG8M780JIYZRRU7UKO2/honeybutter.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Honey Butter Fried Chicken Photo Credit: Internetz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1528486274287-7N4N51HAAU3W1TTO0ESS/200.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Honey Butter Fried Chicken Photo Credit: A Goog search with 4 typos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1528485967733-1TIGRXBJEBXOOR0FBUH8/image.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Honey Butter Fried Chicken https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1528742523154-7ZKUO2PY38LGJS1E471U/48294.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Honey Butter Fried Chicken Photo Credit: My shitty iPhone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1529009023749-UWIPK2P0WOOXPDNIWBWP/c4929e32d37c35a1982264f99af56758.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Honey Butter Fried Chicken Jk, I'd never eat a salad. https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/the-girl-before monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1522432526980-S6S7QFV4681VVW9I3BEI/9780425285060.jpeg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "The Girl Before" by JP Delaney - Minimalist house, yikes Two timelines. OCD. Suspense. It's always the ex Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/ann-sather monthly 0.5 2020-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525379687623-TLXDX616Z44DT9Z5UFUU/entertainment-blogs-obsessed-2013-08-21-tumblr_mkadeoZc5W1qbtkdvo1_500.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Ann Sather #mood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525380005470-0A3SCYGE0SM8UM9LL4CQ/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Ann Sather Photo Source: Interwebs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525378278899-BDKN33ENFAZOR76DP9Y6/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Ann Sather Photo Source: Interwebs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1523467625227-9JITTKSJTD8F7HJTQLJ7/image-asset.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Ann Sather Photo Source: Interwebs Does anyone know who Mighty Mouse is anymore? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525378158328-VDABDYMGFH9NF4TPUMQG/IMG-6932.JPG Blog - Eating My Feelings: Ann Sather Photo Source: My shitty iPhone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525378250988-6T0AVP7ZBCG0IFIPLS2T/IMG-6930.JPG Blog - Eating My Feelings: Ann Sather Photo Source: My shitty iPhone. Look at these glorious buns. Good lord. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525379282897-7MGG0F47Z8M2OGMU97SP/cwtf.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Ann Sather Photo Source: The Googs https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/lets-pretend-this-never-happened monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1520448959393-Y3HN1YIHMZ6RPGQUU4G2/12868761.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "Let's Pretend This Never Happened" by Jenny Lawson - Lots of taxidermy talk Social anxiety sucks Long rambling sentences Photo Credit: The Googs (slang for Google) https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/public-house monthly 0.5 2020-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1518554233877-H4WGQF6J04UFNRWSVCFS/giphy.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Public House Photo Credit: The best part of the internet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1518039095689-N3GQPTPOJEPD9KNQ0SY8/3f162757f098638238f82db65701bcc5.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Public House Up in the top right of this photo are the weird tap tables. This is only one half of the restaurant, by the way. The other half includes a 360 bar and 800 more televisions. Photo Credit: Internet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1518556056568-1TMY78NVT731H6KCGNQY/c7B4mtv.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Public House Wait staff vs. me Photo Credit: Internet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1518555080084-3AH81773H74B6RAE71AO/eb6bac320e19e705bdaa95bc813bad84d023c92f36a25dd09f7c290fd1d213a1.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Public House Photo Credit: The Google https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525705872824-H531PRHBEECA7PZM5F9P/unnamed.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Public House Up close and personal with the burger deal. Mostly because I'm too self conscious about looking like an annoying millennial taking pictures of my stupid food, but here I am writing about it, so. There's that. Photo Credit: My shitty iPhone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525705895453-BZ2V9UBVSQG2FCY10RTE/1913465_913625318684881_4094053200468487465_o_640.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Public House Here's a much prettier version of a burger from Public House, though it's not the $10 Tuesday deal. This one looks like it's got chicken and some sort of fancy sauce. Still. You get it. ALSO... look at those fries. Photo Credit: Public House website https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1525706213963-6V3LQA4WA2VIT2IPCPOT/2018-02-07_1453.png Blog - Eating My Feelings: Public House Photo Credit: Public House's website https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/people-i-want-to-punch-in-the-throat monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1515689706043-ONK3YUC0K2030HV6863A/9780345549839_p0_v3_s600x595.jpg Blog - Haiku Reviews: "People I Want to Punch in the Throat" by Jen Mann - this book really sucked she calls her husband "The Hubs" suburban life is hard Photo Credit: Barnes & Noble website. I'm a thief. https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/smylie-brewing monthly 0.5 2020-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1513101456819-2F8U7LTJVAIIDDBLP45O/tenor.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Smylie Brother's Brewing Look at this stupid, ugly idiot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1512512812942-AEWNWOC3ZLI51JPV11JA/img_3469-img_3471-e1479826930887.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Smylie Brother's Brewing Photo Credit: Smylie's website. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1513097878093-XHPSI3556UVT7TE3M8DL/pogatetz_141115_0057.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Smylie Brother's Brewing Photo Credit: Smylie's website https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1513104195206-3IEAE5H2L0XFPD0FQ9MA/BBQ-Platter.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Smylie Brother's Brewing I do have a picture of the platter we got, but I was trying to take it sneakily and the flash went off and I panicked and it was blurry, so just enjoy this more staged version and laugh and my shame. Photo Credit: Smylie's website https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1513102636108-DNI5K8D0LIOPVA07C12R/IMG_6547.JPG Blog - Eating My Feelings: Smylie Brother's Brewing Look. Look at that delicious art. Photo Credit: My shitty iPhone https://www.laurenshowen.com/blog/st-lous monthly 0.5 2020-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1510167393870-X7H7UNRFDGAOVH64KVAS/giphy.gif Blog - Eating My Feelings: Saint Lou's Assembly Drake has certainly eaten his share of feelings. #rihanna #toosoon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1509036616936-KZ5UWJERBT5VPR9U4O0X/DanBlackman_SaintLousAssembly_1.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Saint Lou's Assembly Photo Credit: Dan Blackman & Clayton Hauck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1510166425722-WKF2E7BS9CTBIEO2I72I/IMG_6392.jpg Blog - Eating My Feelings: Saint Lou's Assembly Photo Credit: My shitty iPhone https://www.laurenshowen.com/home-1 daily 1.0 2026-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1532032119593-VDNDPY6OOLU3KQQJQ5ZT/2018-07-19_1443.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1606242487107-N38ORNLYLUU3CRPOE6KT/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+12.27.34+PM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1661979856487-A4UC197UV2F7F3PRTIQL/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+2.59.33+PM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1661980522602-8MTW9A2JQCDFT550DOFB/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+4.14.47+PM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1735539810149-QU38KGGRKNH41ASAC34G/Screenshot+2024-12-30+at+12.23.17%E2%80%AFAM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/74f3de29-b96d-4263-a605-78180921b258/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+4.18.34%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601682200851-DOHZ2YVTVJ8SDFODPCHL/Screen+Shot+2020-10-02+at+6.42.13+PM.png Home Pappy Van Winkle Toro Cigars A cigar is a symbol of celebration. Closed the deal. Four under par on 18 holes. A successful marriage proposal. Mild, sweet and refined; just like life should be. For the cigar aficionado, a description from the maker, Jonathan Drew, founder of Drew Estate: The Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented cigar is a 100% long-filler, premium cigar made totally by hand in very small batches at Drew Estate in Estelí, Nicaragua. This historic cigar features a barrel-fermented, tapa-negra-style wrapper over a Mexican San Andres base wrapper, as well as aged Nicaraguan Filler tobaccos, personally selected by me. It is the perfect choice for pairing with any of the Van Winkle bourbon and rye products. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601683091459-WP2OKGWMZJQRHZ4NYU0J/image-asset.png Home Bourbon Barrel Stave Cutting Board Bourbon barrels have a thankless job. Charring, years of expansion and compression, sitting in the dark nurturing their precious nectar. After performing such a heroic service, it seems a shame that the bourbon barrel’s usefulness comes to an end when the distillation begins. We decided to do something about that. Louisville artist Jason Cohen has transformed these noble Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrel staves into cutting boards, each bearing the distinctive Van Winkle crest. The next time you cut the perfect lemon wedge, do it with artistry, dedication and good taste. The way Pappy would have wanted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601682863215-X7M58JWCEMOIOD5X0ZSM/Screen+Shot+2020-10-02+at+6.53.34+PM.png Home The Pappy Tasting Glass Every great thing in life has a receptacle made especially for it. The golf bag. The garage. The brassiere. The Glencairn Tasting Glass is the vessel of choice for those who truly enjoy bourbon. Glencairn Crystal spent decades crafting a glass that was similar to the copita used by master blenders, but would be a practical fit for bar use. A tapered mouth for ease of tasting, while still capturing the nose of the whiskey. A widened bowl for full enjoyment and a solid base to fit neatly in the hand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601683051317-8G8G2JTIUV1UXAQ7H82I/Screen+Shot+2020-10-02+at+6.57.06+PM.png Home Barrel-aged Pepper Sauce It's high noon on a hot, Southern summer day. The sun shines brightly from a cloudless sky, the humidity as thick as honey. It's a purifying heat; the kind that makes you feel like you've accomplished something just by being brave enough to weather it. We've taken that heat and bottled it. In partnership with another family-owned business (and our friends), Midland Ghost, we've created an exclusive hot sauce. Made with their famous, locally grown, first generation Ghost Peppers and aged in our bourbon barrels for a rich, smoky heat. Add a dash to anything from meats and vegetables to Bloody Mary cocktails for a spicy kick that will make you sweat. Go beyond the grill, and discover all of the culinary fun you can have with our hot sauce. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1511988336733-ZO7KTF5IPSMYHR4NMCE5/2017-11-29_1342.png Home The Great American Flask During Prohibition, the flask was key. Men wanted them, and women wanted to be with a man who had one. The flask was a symbol of rebellion, perhaps somewhat subversive behavior, but for the worthy cause of always having a good drink at the ready. Celebrate the past with this historically accurate copper flask. Cheers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601682915286-MUS6ENUZ8JMVB1UP5IEL/image-asset.png Home Wilson Silver Jigger After years of sculpting and metal work, artist Thomas Dugan Wilson made his first Wilson Cup for the jockeys at Hardscuffle Steeplechase in 1978. Since then, these iconic pieces have continued to be hand-made by the Wilson family in Louisville, Kentucky. Each piece is formed in copper and coated in silver, hand signed and dated with the recognizable triangle representing the continuation of the Wilson family tradition. Adorning the side of the jigger are the Pappy keys, which symbolize the 5 steps to making bourbon and the "key to hospitality" adage that brings these two family-centric businesses together into one beautiful vessel that will be passed down from generation to generation. This 2-oz. jigger, is the single most-important thing to use to ensure a consistently good cocktail, while being a mainstay on your bar. And we aren't afraid to use ours as a small tasting glass to enjoy a nip of bourbon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1607550853051-9KJLKA3A3WDVMS8GTKT2/Final_AmazonBox_Mock_SM2+%281%29.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1607550748082-CE1I5WKRYASJRWX9BU2N/Final_AmazonBox_Mock_SM1.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1606242088428-JAM9DUZSS5TPO48R5K0K/screencapture-amazon-stores-page-6CAB4943-2B7B-4702-9BE2-218219A19ACC-2020-11-24-11_38_45.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/8aa05021-ce7c-4872-bb0b-13b9d14c9f20/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+2.52.56+PM.png Home - Make it stand out Cats always look for the higher ground, both literally and in any argument. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1624454656907-4RRZF84IO9HPAEGT56DX/IMG_2342.jpg Home There is no evolutionary reason cats eat plants. They’re carnivores. They’re ruining your plans for no reason. #thanks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1624454640601-AN5HF0N2A167LE3ASRAZ/IMG_2343.jpg Home Cat’s don’t actually need to sleep so much. They’re just avoiding you. #rude https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1624454673717-FQST5PON4UZC6C9BF6S1/IMG_2341.jpg Home Cat’s don’t actually have a fear of water, they just don’t like your taste in glassware. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/6109f94a-074e-419a-97cf-a3092839bbad/TEM-Laptop.png Home - Make it stand out Don’t mind if I… just scooch in here… ‘scuse me,,, I’m not interrupting, am I? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1201650e-fa99-4e3d-aca3-eeff50d3d444/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.23.12+PM.png Home - Make it stand out Just when you go to pet that alluring soft belly... BAM. Venus cat-trap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/42b43f92-562a-448d-b21a-012bfd1e59cd/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.22.08+PM.png Home - Make it stand out Celebrate the season... with caution. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1c132d66-ec67-4f80-bc7f-f434768303ee/TEM-LiquidCat.jpg Home - Make it stand out It’s a well documented fact that cats are liquid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/b25be250-7e21-4a04-a214-9752bf0d29bf/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.00.01+PM.png Home - Make it stand out You can tell a lot about someone just by their sign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/85ce33fd-39e4-432f-9171-4312f7af2b41/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.00.10+PM.png Home - Make it stand out When you use up your nine lives and your reincarnation is not ideal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/fa1e8ea4-3901-42d5-9b2b-6c3401a03c9f/301917573_10159450584909892_6866020393090153609_n.jpeg Home - Make it stand out Gotta catch ‘em all, amiright? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/411ae43e-de07-4939-a960-cacdc9e32f79/TEM-CatLadyStarterPack-v2.jpg Home - Make it stand out Look us in the eyes and tell us that this isn’t accurate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1661974378545-5ZB4D2D7U7NZS6XF2RRI/TEM-BadValentine-01+%282%29.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1661974377929-HNA0DIOGUNP8TY6L7SFQ/TEM-BadValentine-03.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1661974378057-UMEYR1BAUJQWQY8R5ZMY/TEM-BadValentine-02.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/434cfbf6-2ab1-4a14-a2eb-f384c3e7d459/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.44.23+PM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/6c2ed50f-bae0-4619-9fbd-d467dbeaa0e5/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.39.17+PM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/c9a28592-93b8-43c3-9298-c71cff2c1746/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.41.52+PM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/325359f9-de85-4b62-9f7e-b3e013d8dfea/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.41.35+PM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/e756f13f-5a3b-4d0c-9c6f-548b00f9b538/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.40.42+PM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/633619c9-2fb8-4dcd-834a-0ebefcc730d6/Screen+Shot+2022-08-31+at+3.49.15+PM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601662868318-4EVKH5ASHSC37EH7ECJZ/image-asset.png Home “Lenny, listen to me,” Officer Polanski said, “this is very important.” He was speaking slowly and loudly, unsure that anything was getting through. “After the man ran out of the bank, which way did he go?” Lenny’s eyes blinked independently. He was otherwise still, surrounded by the crumbs of a french fry gorge. “Come on Lenny, you were sitting here all day. We know you saw him. Now. Can you do us a big favor and stop wasting out time?” Polanski’s partner tapped his shoulder, signaling to cool it. “Lenny, please.” Lenny stared blankly, then lifted his wing to indicate which way the fugitive fled. The officers exchanged a nod and ran. Little did they know they had been led astray by Lenny, who actually saw the man round the corner in the other direction. Lenny ain’t no snitch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1608588028888-FV3WN76W454RNZJNE8PX/image-asset.png Home Deshaun’s first day at Google was even more humiliating than he could have imagined. Throughout the interview process he made a point to ask whether the antiquated hazing rituals from the old start-up days had been put to rest. He didn’t like that type of attention, the “all the staff at the restaurant sings happy birthday” type of attention, especially at work. He had hoped to fly under the radar and spend his first few days settling in at his own pace before the inevitable team meeting where he’d have to say something interesting about himself to a group of strangers. Who’s to say what they’d find interesting? What an odd way to welcome a new person–by putting them on the spot. The thought alone made him tense. To his horror, he arrived to find desk covered in welcome signs, balloons and a small crowd of his coworkers clapping and chanting his name. He could feel the blood rushing to his face and his palms start to sweat. His new manager approached and ceremoniously placed a spinning hat on his head. “I thought... I mean, I asked specifically about these rituals. You said you hadn’t done them in years,” Deshaun said, eyes darting around the crowd. “We haven’t, but you just seemed so interested, we thought we’d make you feel special! Now hope you’re warmed up, karaoke starts at 11!” The crowd let out a collective “woo” and dispersed, laughing. Deshaun sighed and sat at his craft-bombed desk. His nameplate wobbled in a bowl of jello. This was easily the worst day of his life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663394659-VDW41TN2QJRENLG8MB8I/Untitled_Artwork+7.png Home “Should I quit my job?” “Does that person I’m pining after think about me? Ever?” “Will I miraculously loose twenty pounds?” “If I start that project, will it fail?” Shut up. Life is fleeting. Make it happen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665183868-A5LDY22L7GDNFRYQKDAQ/Untitled_Artwork+4.png Home Danny knew his therapist was right: he needed to take some time for himself. “Self-care,” she kept saying “is just as important as diet or exercise.” If only a massage burned calories, he thought. After a long week of mind-numbing work, Danny decided to take Dr. Thonnary’s advice. He stopped by Walgreens on the way home and bought the only bubble bath he could find, something called “SupaBubs” in a bright pink bottle. When he got home, he pulled a book from his shelf he had been meaning to read for some time and started the bath. He poured what seemed to be a reasonable amount of the bright, sticky liquid into the bottom of his tub and turned on the water. He made a cup of tea and returned, lowering himself into the bath. “Quite nice,” he thought to himself. The water continued to run as he dove into the first chapter. Several pages later he reached for the faucet to stop the water and realized he had lost sight of it: an enormous wall of white foam had developed all around him. A symbol? “Perhaps I’ve overdone it.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665507667-F78UIC84VD2WREMWMXC0/Untitled_Artwork+10.png Home Things started going downhill pretty quickly for Edgar after his wife left. She made an ultimatum: it’s me or the booze, and when he came home the next night smelling of whiskey and cigarettes, she left. Probably staying with her sister. He thought of making a big gesture, running over there in the rain with flowers and jewelry, but it wasn’t raining and Edgar was broke. He’d been out of work for months, naively believing that Sherry hadn’t noticed. Now sitting in his favorite stool at The Bog, he was seething with self-loathing. All it took was a simple statement: “she finally left you, huh.” A brawl, police, a mug shot. Who could he even call? Edgar had finally found the bottom of the rabbit hole. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663170035-VBQBY4J5PJBTFKYREL65/Untitled_Artwork+6.png Home The room was quiet, a rarity for a room full of advertising executives. This was supposed to be a brainstorming session for the newest, hottest soda, and instead... Finally, after a few concerned looks, Nathan broke the silence. “Harris? Buddy? You ok?” Harris sighed as he stared out the window, his hands in his pockets. “Nah. I quit.” He swung open the glass door and walked down the hallway towards the exit. And just like that, he was gone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663326864-FLMNLMG23BRKJZUDOIS3/Untitled_Artwork+11.png Home Terrance should have been more careful purchasing his costume on Amazon. “Witch costume for moose” is dangerously close to “witch costume for mouse,” which would earn him great ridicule at the office party. A stronger, more interesting person would have played it off and had a great time in spite of the mishap, but instead Terrance spent the better part of the party sitting at his desk drinking sickly sweet punch and filing expense reports. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665116697-48UJKRJK3US4RLS5G8J3/Untitled_Artwork+8.png Home An Ode to The Bobby Pin From your head To the bed To underneath the cabinet In your pocket By the faucet It’s just a force of habit I’m in your hair I’m everywhere Even on the dirty ground But like a ghost When you need me most I’m nowhere to be found https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1608588124943-KQ0ZPG7L4F29R59CZL55/Untitled_Artwork+16.png Home “...Larry?” “Yeah, Carl?” “Am I a joke to you?” “What do you mean?” “Look at this. This was supposed to be fun, Carl. Festive. We were supposed to be FESTIVE TOGETHER, LARRY.” “...I made a tree... some snowflakes... candy canes, I just-... oh my gosh, Carl, are you Jewish? Wow, I really learn something new about you every day.” “I’M NOT JEWISH LARRY, I’M LUTHERAN. THAT’S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.” “Well then what, Carl? You don’t like my tree?” “OF COURSE I LIKE YOUR TREE. I just... you come into my house... and you make all these perfect holiday decorations and make me look like an absolute bozo during the most wonderful time of the year! God, some friend you are!” “Oh come on, yours are great! Look at that melting snowman! How creative!” “IT’S NOT MELTING I JUST USED TOO MUCH GLUE!” “Well ok, but what about your drunk Rudolph? Hilarious!” “THATS... ARE YOU... HOW DARE YOU, LARRY.” “I don’t know what you’re so upset about, this is supposed to be fun. The decorations don’t matter, it’s just about being together. You’re my best friend, Carl. And hey, so you can’t make a normal looking... anything. That’s ok, you’re good at other things.” “...like?” “Oh, uh, like... oh, always knowing what to wear. Like the difference between Connecticut casual and backyard formal.” “Mhm, yes, I’m a smart dresser, yes...AND...” “AND... oh boy, there’s just... so many to choose from... OH. Your potato salad. So unique.” “The secret ingredient is maraschino cherries.” “Right... unique.” “That’s... that’s actually really nice, Larry. I’m sorry. I just expected you to be worse at this.” Silence. “Hey Carl.” “Yes, Larry?” “I made a bunch of little gingerbread men holding hands.” “DAMMIT, LARRY.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665404002-95JEU8629A4SU2CAO60F/image-asset.png Home “Oh, hey, didn’t see you there. “ Silence. “Well I just needed to grab a sweater... cooler than I thought it’d be this morning.” Silence. “...not much of a talker, huh. Heh.” Silence. “Your fur looks great... my curls get so dry when the seasons change. What do you use?” Silence. “What, you think you’re better than me?” Silence. “Ok, well screw you, my dude, I was just trying to be polite and you’re just being a jerk so... have a great frickin’ day.” Silence. “...asshole.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663281518-SHH7C75RCDT5286W1R19/image-asset.jpeg Home He didn’t care what the other chipmunks thought, Oliver knew this was love. They met at the Lackman Street Carnival. Oliver had been feasting on kettle corn when, like a gift from heaven, Philippe fell from the sky. He approached with hesitation and removed his hat out of respect. Philippe didn’t move. Oliver was smitten. He gingerly placed his hat atop his warm, bready love and vowed to care for him always. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663478881-C4H07K60LDN17TOZ15HB/Untitled_Artwork+1.png Home “Really, Larry? REALLY?!” “Carl seriously, I thought it was-“ “Oh, let me guess, you thought it was black tie.” “...I thought it was black-“ “DAMMIT, LARRY.” “...you look great, Carl.” “Larry, I will kill you in your sleep if you don’t get me a red wine in the next 3 minutes.” “...I can take the hat to coat check if-“ “YOU KNOW IT COMPLETES THE OUTFIT. YOU KNOW THAT.” “Red wine it is.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665279836-GG1IX15ZIWT75BKZ852Y/image-asset.png Home “Cheating?! Wha, pft, what do you mean cheating? How is morphing into bat-form to get on base cheating?! How–ok, did I or did I not hit the ball? Ok, and what does being in human-form for that part and being in bat-form for this–EXCUSE ME, are you DISCRIMINATING against vampires?! What kind of referee are you?! Where’d you come from, Indiana? If you’re saying you can’t accept me for who I am then I think this is a bigger issue than this stupid game, WHICH WE’RE WINNING BY THE WAY. No, I think it’s YOU who’s being unsportsmanlike, you jackoff! REF SUCKS. REF SUCKS. EVERYBODY, REF SUCKS. You know what, no. I’m, leaving. And NOT because security is coming, because this is ridiculous. Forget you and your stupid game, asshat. SLEEP TIGHT, CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS.” Vinny was not invited back to the office baseball team this year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665442454-1NF52MDW1PF5RAVOHUXN/Untitled_Artwork+13.png Home The turn of summer into Fall always filled Quincy with angst. What should have been a time of warm fuzzy feelings and tart cider instead made his palms sweat and his throat feel tight. It had been years since the accident, but the reemergence of plaid and flannel made the memories clear as day: he’s a small child hiding in the endless racks of clothing in Elder-Beerman while is mother perused sweater sets and pencil skirts. It happened in an instant, really. Acting on impulse to jump out and startle his mother, the loop of his corduroys caught on a tall display of scarves and shawls which came tumbling down upon him. The sudden blackness and heat produced instant panic in Quincy, who struggled to free himself from the mountain of wool and cashmere. He gasped for breath as he further entangled himself trying to escape. He’s not sure how the rest of the story went... perhaps his mind protecting him. All he knew now is the Fall was not to be trusted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1608588212663-KEG4P7FLC1CD7KQTLQNX/Untitled_Artwork+22.png Home “Larry? Come in, Larry!” “Oh hey Carl, hows it going?” “Are you serious Larry?! I’m terrible! I’m truly awful!” “Wow, I’m sorry to hear that, is it your eczema again?” “Dammit, Larry, no, I’ve got a cream for that. God. Are you forgetting something?” “...I don’t think so, did I miss a new episode of something? Aw man, is it your birthday? Happy birthday, Carl!” “CHRIST, LARRY, I’M A VIRGO. YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TO PLAN.” “Plan... your birthday?” “LARRY. THE PLAN. THE EVIL PLAN.” “...oh, the plan! Right! Is it Tuesday already? Oh man, I think I missed a dentist appointment.” “LARRY.” “Yes, Carl?” “GET OVER HERE SO WE. CAN. PLAN.” “Right.” “...and bring ice cream cake.” “Sure thing, Carl.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/d80f7168-8cb8-45cb-9293-d0128c18ac09/Screenshot+2024-12-30+at+12.12.21%E2%80%AFAM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/b3b963b5-4a8d-486d-9574-314f4658129d/Screenshot+2024-12-30+at+12.11.58%E2%80%AFAM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/2bdf28bc-1070-4d59-8a5e-4e80343ae1ac/Screenshot+2024-12-30+at+12.11.00%E2%80%AFAM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/496a8ae5-098b-445d-949f-f9db2fbdfe0f/Screenshot+2024-12-29+at+11.52.57%E2%80%AFPM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/057be176-f2df-49ff-beb5-6c2d46b39579/Screenshot+2024-12-29+at+11.51.36%E2%80%AFPM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/e38ad44b-27ce-45c7-b9a2-77a23e57b6ce/Screenshot+2024-12-29+at+11.50.17%E2%80%AFPM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1770069759886-XZCOAI2CXEQT094N4G1S/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+1.56.47%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1770069759884-V5B0X73OSYQRNXE6GNFA/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+1.56.39%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1770069762433-2IGIXBG60HY8TZ9A1CSS/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+1.56.32%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1770069762396-DY1SX6IQQ4T0EWLQIR1P/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+1.56.27%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1770070000374-FWS28X2BMBULPK7QPFKT/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+4.05.47%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1770069997771-4U73ASDU2ML0OC2WRWAY/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+4.06.15%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1770069998109-D9OIR5Q8QSXH5W2NWDD5/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+4.06.00%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1770069999754-YT2616UTSZ2Y6T2FFORH/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+4.05.54%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1770070002418-CKJW54X7DOYIA6HE1E8U/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+4.06.25%E2%80%AFPM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/d612975f-7915-4a21-a1a5-786b5ce303a6/Screenshot+2026-02-02+at+6.04.39%E2%80%AFPM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.laurenshowen.com/about daily 0.75 2025-01-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/a50cbaaf-f3ca-45ed-a538-a97b7f3a6efb/FF0CEC1B-86A6-4CC7-A35C-3484C82A1737+2.JPG About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/01fe0bc8-5d48-47c8-a10f-fa4ddba9cdeb/Screenshot+2025-01-01+at+3.14.09%E2%80%AFPM.jpg About - Current creative pursuit Today it’s cross stitch. What will it be tomorrow? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/59972524-1fa6-4128-88ef-c5ff0622513f/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+1.41.17+PM.jpg About - CAN’T DRAW FOR SH*T Illustrations and short stories at @showcantdraw. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/ecd9e4a4-8f67-45f9-9ca6-e7132cd2f2c6/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+1.45.57+PM.jpg About - HAIKU BOOK REVIEWS Bite-sized reviews of recent reads. https://www.laurenshowen.com/i-cant-draw daily 0.75 2020-12-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601662868318-4EVKH5ASHSC37EH7ECJZ/image-asset.png I can't draw “Lenny, listen to me,” Officer Polanski said, “this is very important.” He was speaking slowly and loudly, unsure that anything was getting through. “After the man ran out of the bank, which way did he go?” Lenny’s eyes blinked independently. He was otherwise still, surrounded by the crumbs of a french fry gorge. “Come on Lenny, you were sitting here all day. We know you saw him. Now. Can you do us a big favor and stop wasting out time?” Polanski’s partner tapped his shoulder, signaling to cool it. “Lenny, please.” Lenny stared blankly, then lifted his wing to indicate which way the fugitive fled. The officers exchanged a nod and ran. Little did they know they had been led astray by Lenny, who actually saw the man round the corner in the other direction. Lenny ain’t no snitch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1608588028888-FV3WN76W454RNZJNE8PX/image-asset.png I can't draw Deshaun’s first day at Google was even more humiliating than he could have imagined. Throughout the interview process he made a point to ask whether the antiquated hazing rituals from the old start-up days had been put to rest. He didn’t like that type of attention, the “all the staff at the restaurant sings happy birthday” type of attention, especially at work. He had hoped to fly under the radar and spend his first few days settling in at his own pace before the inevitable team meeting where he’d have to say something interesting about himself to a group of strangers. Who’s to say what they’d find interesting? What an odd way to welcome a new person–by putting them on the spot. The thought alone made him tense. To his horror, he arrived to find desk covered in welcome signs, balloons and a small crowd of his coworkers clapping and chanting his name. He could feel the blood rushing to his face and his palms start to sweat. His new manager approached and ceremoniously placed a spinning hat on his head. “I thought... I mean, I asked specifically about these rituals. You said you hadn’t done them in years,” Deshaun said, eyes darting around the crowd. “We haven’t, but you just seemed so interested, we thought we’d make you feel special! Now hope you’re warmed up, karaoke starts at 11!” The crowd let out a collective “woo” and dispersed, laughing. Deshaun sighed and sat at his craft-bombed desk. His nameplate wobbled in a bowl of jello. This was easily the worst day of his life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663394659-VDW41TN2QJRENLG8MB8I/Untitled_Artwork+7.png I can't draw “Should I quit my job?” “Does that person I’m pining after think about me? Ever?” “Will I miraculously loose twenty pounds?” “If I start that project, will it fail?” Shut up. Life is fleeting. Make it happen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665183868-A5LDY22L7GDNFRYQKDAQ/Untitled_Artwork+4.png I can't draw Danny knew his therapist was right: he needed to take some time for himself. “Self-care,” she kept saying “is just as important as diet or exercise.” If only a massage burned calories, he thought. After a long week of mind-numbing work, Danny decided to take Dr. Thonnary’s advice. He stopped by Walgreens on the way home and bought the only bubble bath he could find, something called “SupaBubs” in a bright pink bottle. When he got home, he pulled a book from his shelf he had been meaning to read for some time and started the bath. He poured what seemed to be a reasonable amount of the bright, sticky liquid into the bottom of his tub and turned on the water. He made a cup of tea and returned, lowering himself into the bath. “Quite nice,” he thought to himself. The water continued to run as he dove into the first chapter. Several pages later he reached for the faucet to stop the water and realized he had lost sight of it: an enormous wall of white foam had developed all around him. A symbol? “Perhaps I’ve overdone it.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665507667-F78UIC84VD2WREMWMXC0/Untitled_Artwork+10.png I can't draw Things started going downhill pretty quickly for Edgar after his wife left. She made an ultimatum: it’s me or the booze, and when he came home the next night smelling of whiskey and cigarettes, she left. Probably staying with her sister. He thought of making a big gesture, running over there in the rain with flowers and jewelry, but it wasn’t raining and Edgar was broke. He’d been out of work for months, naively believing that Sherry hadn’t noticed. Now sitting in his favorite stool at The Bog, he was seething with self-loathing. All it took was a simple statement: “she finally left you, huh.” A brawl, police, a mug shot. Who could he even call? Edgar had finally found the bottom of the rabbit hole. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663170035-VBQBY4J5PJBTFKYREL65/Untitled_Artwork+6.png I can't draw The room was quiet, a rarity for a room full of advertising executives. This was supposed to be a brainstorming session for the newest, hottest soda, and instead... Finally, after a few concerned looks, Nathan broke the silence. “Harris? Buddy? You ok?” Harris sighed as he stared out the window, his hands in his pockets. “Nah. I quit.” He swung open the glass door and walked down the hallway towards the exit. And just like that, he was gone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663326864-FLMNLMG23BRKJZUDOIS3/Untitled_Artwork+11.png I can't draw Terrance should have been more careful purchasing his costume on Amazon. “Witch costume for moose” is dangerously close to “witch costume for mouse,” which would earn him great ridicule at the office party. A stronger, more interesting person would have played it off and had a great time in spite of the mishap, but instead Terrance spent the better part of the party sitting at his desk drinking sickly sweet punch and filing expense reports. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665116697-48UJKRJK3US4RLS5G8J3/Untitled_Artwork+8.png I can't draw An Ode to The Bobby Pin From your head To the bed To underneath the cabinet In your pocket By the faucet It’s just a force of habit I’m in your hair I’m everywhere Even on the dirty ground But like a ghost When you need me most I’m nowhere to be found https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1608588124943-KQ0ZPG7L4F29R59CZL55/Untitled_Artwork+16.png I can't draw “...Larry?” “Yeah, Carl?” “Am I a joke to you?” “What do you mean?” “Look at this. This was supposed to be fun, Carl. Festive. We were supposed to be FESTIVE TOGETHER, LARRY.” “...I made a tree... some snowflakes... candy canes, I just-... oh my gosh, Carl, are you Jewish? Wow, I really learn something new about you every day.” “I’M NOT JEWISH LARRY, I’M LUTHERAN. THAT’S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.” “Well then what, Carl? You don’t like my tree?” “OF COURSE I LIKE YOUR TREE. I just... you come into my house... and you make all these perfect holiday decorations and make me look like an absolute bozo during the most wonderful time of the year! God, some friend you are!” “Oh come on, yours are great! Look at that melting snowman! How creative!” “IT’S NOT MELTING I JUST USED TOO MUCH GLUE!” “Well ok, but what about your drunk Rudolph? Hilarious!” “THATS... ARE YOU... HOW DARE YOU, LARRY.” “I don’t know what you’re so upset about, this is supposed to be fun. The decorations don’t matter, it’s just about being together. You’re my best friend, Carl. And hey, so you can’t make a normal looking... anything. That’s ok, you’re good at other things.” “...like?” “Oh, uh, like... oh, always knowing what to wear. Like the difference between Connecticut casual and backyard formal.” “Mhm, yes, I’m a smart dresser, yes...AND...” “AND... oh boy, there’s just... so many to choose from... OH. Your potato salad. So unique.” “The secret ingredient is maraschino cherries.” “Right... unique.” “That’s... that’s actually really nice, Larry. I’m sorry. I just expected you to be worse at this.” Silence. “Hey Carl.” “Yes, Larry?” “I made a bunch of little gingerbread men holding hands.” “DAMMIT, LARRY.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665404002-95JEU8629A4SU2CAO60F/image-asset.png I can't draw “Oh, hey, didn’t see you there. “ Silence. “Well I just needed to grab a sweater... cooler than I thought it’d be this morning.” Silence. “...not much of a talker, huh. Heh.” Silence. “Your fur looks great... my curls get so dry when the seasons change. What do you use?” Silence. “What, you think you’re better than me?” Silence. “Ok, well screw you, my dude, I was just trying to be polite and you’re just being a jerk so... have a great frickin’ day.” Silence. “...asshole.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663281518-SHH7C75RCDT5286W1R19/image-asset.jpeg I can't draw He didn’t care what the other chipmunks thought, Oliver knew this was love. They met at the Lackman Street Carnival. Oliver had been feasting on kettle corn when, like a gift from heaven, Philippe fell from the sky. He approached with hesitation and removed his hat out of respect. Philippe didn’t move. Oliver was smitten. He gingerly placed his hat atop his warm, bready love and vowed to care for him always. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601663478881-C4H07K60LDN17TOZ15HB/Untitled_Artwork+1.png I can't draw “Really, Larry? REALLY?!” “Carl seriously, I thought it was-“ “Oh, let me guess, you thought it was black tie.” “...I thought it was black-“ “DAMMIT, LARRY.” “...you look great, Carl.” “Larry, I will kill you in your sleep if you don’t get me a red wine in the next 3 minutes.” “...I can take the hat to coat check if-“ “YOU KNOW IT COMPLETES THE OUTFIT. YOU KNOW THAT.” “Red wine it is.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665279836-GG1IX15ZIWT75BKZ852Y/image-asset.png I can't draw “Cheating?! Wha, pft, what do you mean cheating? How is morphing into bat-form to get on base cheating?! How–ok, did I or did I not hit the ball? Ok, and what does being in human-form for that part and being in bat-form for this–EXCUSE ME, are you DISCRIMINATING against vampires?! What kind of referee are you?! Where’d you come from, Indiana? If you’re saying you can’t accept me for who I am then I think this is a bigger issue than this stupid game, WHICH WE’RE WINNING BY THE WAY. No, I think it’s YOU who’s being unsportsmanlike, you jackoff! REF SUCKS. REF SUCKS. EVERYBODY, REF SUCKS. You know what, no. I’m, leaving. And NOT because security is coming, because this is ridiculous. Forget you and your stupid game, asshat. SLEEP TIGHT, CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS.” Vinny was not invited back to the office baseball team this year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1601665442454-1NF52MDW1PF5RAVOHUXN/Untitled_Artwork+13.png I can't draw The turn of summer into Fall always filled Quincy with angst. What should have been a time of warm fuzzy feelings and tart cider instead made his palms sweat and his throat feel tight. It had been years since the accident, but the reemergence of plaid and flannel made the memories clear as day: he’s a small child hiding in the endless racks of clothing in Elder-Beerman while is mother perused sweater sets and pencil skirts. It happened in an instant, really. Acting on impulse to jump out and startle his mother, the loop of his corduroys caught on a tall display of scarves and shawls which came tumbling down upon him. The sudden blackness and heat produced instant panic in Quincy, who struggled to free himself from the mountain of wool and cashmere. He gasped for breath as he further entangled himself trying to escape. He’s not sure how the rest of the story went... perhaps his mind protecting him. All he knew now is the Fall was not to be trusted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1608588212663-KEG4P7FLC1CD7KQTLQNX/Untitled_Artwork+22.png I can't draw “Larry? Come in, Larry!” “Oh hey Carl, hows it going?” “Are you serious Larry?! I’m terrible! I’m truly awful!” “Wow, I’m sorry to hear that, is it your eczema again?” “Dammit, Larry, no, I’ve got a cream for that. God. Are you forgetting something?” “...I don’t think so, did I miss a new episode of something? Aw man, is it your birthday? Happy birthday, Carl!” “CHRIST, LARRY, I’M A VIRGO. YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TO PLAN.” “Plan... your birthday?” “LARRY. THE PLAN. THE EVIL PLAN.” “...oh, the plan! Right! Is it Tuesday already? Oh man, I think I missed a dentist appointment.” “LARRY.” “Yes, Carl?” “GET OVER HERE SO WE. CAN. PLAN.” “Right.” “...and bring ice cream cake.” “Sure thing, Carl.” https://www.laurenshowen.com/arts-crafts daily 0.75 2026-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/b0ca5cf2-317a-4141-a526-e4327cb05310/Screenshot+2024-07-23+at+10.56.58%E2%80%AFAM.jpg Arts & Crafts It’s really all you can ask of me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/cdef775b-703a-430b-8cc4-c92db8fe6d52/Screenshot+2024-07-23+at+10.57.28%E2%80%AFAM.png Arts & Crafts “The worst she can say is no.” ”Lol, ew.” ”…ew?” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/2b5c1ce0-0dda-4f37-942b-82e1b0b161e8/Screenshot+2025-11-20+at+1.53.16%E2%80%AFPM.png Arts & Crafts - Make it stand out Spooky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/f2841313-ef70-4a90-8908-201065b7b6ec/Screenshot+2024-07-23+at+10.57.46%E2%80%AFAM.jpg Arts & Crafts RIP Pee-wee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430544206-41DG4Z6LET0JNYZP1UNF/a.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430545063-FZAS19CA12BTPANU7N0R/b.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430554276-TBN6P1JA6MHPEVDCXLDF/c.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430558863-STSUYHMP4E8KQ18YK0LX/d.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430574012-8RP9FCHTHS90026WACPB/e.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430584479-BS4E69QD2WTJSYHJ1FPV/f.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430601298-CWA9BGKTWO6UHKNM1DYG/g.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430609502-7ITL1Y9W1OGJ2KLH1BRR/h.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430628486-QS29CRCH6SIIS9FVY5AR/i.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430636279-Q4MD3Q5RZFC0V747PV1F/j.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430659229-TV48CBXNR3V5BHI112EK/k.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430663408-37XSP2V0IH5P7N8LMJ2E/l.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/1733430687678-Y1IC2AQY72SM3MZDNQJP/m.jpeg Arts & Crafts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59889964e6f2e1e92bd8f7a8/88d38fae-093a-4dd7-8ee0-d917cc975e05/IMG_1294+2.jpeg Arts & Crafts - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.