Monthly Archives: May 2026

Day 4888: Habits

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Ann Koplow

In 2013, I developed the habit of blogging daily. I think that’s a good habit.

I also have a habit of quickly introducing images, definitions, or quotes in these blog posts.

I guess I have a habit of thinking others might have more interesting things to say. Or maybe I’m lazy.

I’ve been trying to break my habits of eating when I’m stressed and people pleasing.

One habit I really resent having to give up is watching Stephen Colbert, who was cancelled for speaking truth to power.

I have a habit of sharing YouTube videos I like.

I have a habit of expressing gratitude, so thanks to everyone who’s here, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit, breaking habits, cats, Colbert takes the Colbert questionnaire, good habits, Judson Brewer TED talk, May 21 2026, quotes about habits, Stephen Colbert, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter | 5 Comments

Day 4887: Processing anger

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Ann Koplow

People often talk about processing anger in my Coping and Healing groups.

When we are processing anger, I often point out that we have so few role models for processing anger, which is unfortunate during times like these (when there is so much anger to process).

One of my ways of processing anger is to write songs like I’m Mad About You …

… and Other People’s Anger.

Last night, while I was processing anger about what is happening in the USA, I asked this question about processing anger on Twitter.

Is anyone processing anger in my other images for today?

The Daily Bitch has her own way of processing anger.

How have you been processing anger?

Thanks to all who are here to witness my processing-anger post, including YOU!

Categories: group therapy, original song, personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: "I'm Mad About You", “Other People’s Anger”, cats, coping and healing groups, May 20 2026, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the South Shore of Boston, Twitter | 4 Comments

Day 4886: Curiosity

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Ann Koplow

Every day, I try to approach life with an attitude of curiosity.

Do you have any curiosity about the curiosities I’m about to share?

There are many TED talks about curiosity. Any curiosity about why I chose this one?

Thanks to all who are here with curiosity, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: Boston, Boston Ferry, cats, curiosities, How to meet others with curiosity, May 19 2026, quotes about curiosity, salmon dish, TED talk by Rob Rush, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter | 9 Comments

Day 4885: Between Two Kingdoms

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Ann Koplow

I’ve just finished the audiobook Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted, read by the author Suleika Jaouad.

I have also lived my life between the two kingdoms of the sick and the well, so I identify with much of what Suleika Jaouad so beautifully describes in her book and in this TED talk:

While cancer (hers) and a congenital heart condition (mine) are different kingdoms in certain ways, Suleika and I have both have spent much of our lives between the two kingdoms of the sick and the well.

The title Between Two Kingdoms was inspired by this quote from Susan Sontag’s Illness as Metaphor.

Now that I am between two kingdoms of great books, I’ve just put a hold on Illness as Metaphor.

Here are the images I captured while listening to Between Two Kingdoms.

Here and now, I’m between two kingdoms of home/work, land/sea (I’m taking the ferry today), connection/solitude, and blogging/not blogging.

Thanks to all who accompany me as I navigate between many forms of two kingdoms, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: “Triggers” by Ann Koplow, “What Almost Dying Taught Me About Living, cats, Illness as Metaphor, May 18 2026, Suleika Jaouad, Susan Sontag, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the South Shore of Boston, Twitter, what people have trouble throwing away | 4 Comments

Day 4884: Homes

Posted on May 17, 2026 by Ann Koplow

Yesterday, I spent the morning touring two incredible homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for two married couples in Manchester, New Hampshire. Then, before returning to my own home, I explored the wonderful Currier Museum, which owns those two homes.

Lots of homes to look at today!

Dr. Isadore Zimmerman and Lucille Zimmerman were both musicians and played concerts in their home.

The Zimmermans are buried on the grounds of their beloved home.

Dr. Toufic Kalil and Mildred Kalil were friends of the Zimmermans and asked Frank Lloyd Wright to design them a home nearby.

Our tour guides, who helped us understand and enjoy these two incredible homes.

The exhibit about the homes at the Currier Museum.

I made myself at home at the Currier Museum.

Ken — who made me feel at home — with his rubber duck collection.

Ken’s late wife, who was a nurse, was a Wonder Woman.

We always feel at home at Comfort Kitchen.

Here’s what I find when I search for “homes” on YouTube.

Thanks to all who are here for this post about homes, including YOU.

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: cats, Comfort Kitchen, dream homes, Frank Lloyd Wright, Manchester New Hampshire, May 17 2026, Taimaa Houri TED Talk, The Currier Museum, The Zimmerman and Kalil Houses, Twitter, Where Do I Belong:Carrying Home Within U.S. | 8 Comments

Day 4883: A Cat Can Look At A King

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Ann Koplow

“A cat can look at a king” is a phrase I’ve been looking at for decades.

We can look at these online definitions.

I often think of “a cat can look at a king” when I look at (1) people who are “above” me and (2) cats.

A cat can look at a king and I can appear on a show of musicians singing protest songs.

Anyone can look at my images for today.

A cat can look at a king, a shoelace, and whatever else it wants to look at.

This cat can look at YouTube for “a cat can look at a king.”

A cat can look at a king and I can look at Frank Lloyd Wright homes in New Hampshire later this morning.

I can look at comments and I hope I find some, below.

Thanks to all the cats who can look at this blog, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: bunnies, cats, confidence, Frank Lloyd Wright, May 14 2026, our garden, pizza, Rob Gillette or Ron Gillette, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter and Bluesky, Which Side Are You On? | 6 Comments

Day 4882: Which Side Are You On?

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Ann Koplow

Which Side Are You On? is a 1931 protest song written by Florence Reece, a book about protest songs by James Sullivan, and a popular local monthly performance/“teach out” about protest songs organized by James Sullivan and others.

My friend Carol heard an NPR program about Which Side Are You On? and, because she is on my side, suggested I send my protest song — “You Don’t Scare Me!” — to James Sullivan.

Which side are you on when you look at my images for today?

Here is “Which Side Are You On,” written by a 12-year-old Florence Reece when her father was on strike with other coal miners and then updated by her in 1931 during the Harlan County strikes, which her father helped organize.

Which side are you on?

Thanks to all who helped me create this which-side-are-you-on? post, including YOU!

Categories: Music, personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: A Protest Music Teach Out, cats, favorite songwriters, Florence Reece, Harlan County strikes, James Sullivan, May 15 2026, protest songs, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter and Bluesky | 10 Comments

Day 4881: America

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Ann Koplow

The theme for today’s post is America.

I have lived in America all of my long life and I never thought Americans would tolerate such incompetence and corruption in their leaders.

I asked a question about America on social media last night.

I love the different ways that people responded to that question about America.

Do you see America in my other images for today?

Here’s what I find when I look for “America” on YouTube.

Thanks to all who help me live my life in America, including YOU.

Categories: life in the USA, personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: @MACKXS, cats, May 14 2026, National Apple Pie Day, National Underground America Day, Simon and Garfunkel, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the South Shore of Boston, tuna melt, Twitter and Bluesky | 7 Comments

Day 4880: Definitions of Success

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Ann Koplow

Yesterday, author/former student/current friend Chris Delyani and I discussed his books, my music, and definitions of success.

Our definitions of success tended more to quality (people being moved by our works) over quantity (numbers). I think Chris and I would agree that both our lives have been a success.

My definitions of success include staying connected with wonderful people and it’s so great to see Chris (whom I taught at Boston University in the 1980s) make such a success of his life.

Do you see definitions of success in my images for today?