You’ll learn about my academic
and professional self by navigating subsequent tabs.
But to really know me
is to know a bit about the silly
stuff about life I adore.

So, here goes.

I LOVE

(in no particular order)

 

caramel corn.
my wicked smart hubby.
and my two very cool (now adult) kids.
parentheticals. (obviously)

kindness.
yoga.
headstands.
and vintage fabric.

old houses.
modern houses.
good stories.
family meals.

rosebud salve.
IPA beer.
lip gloss (from Target).
and tiny dogs (with old man names).

my marriage.
humbleness.
my friends.
serving others.
my students.
and unplugging.

a clean house.
Red Wing boots.
soft lighting.
electric blankets.

kale smoothies.
oven roasted sweet potatoes.
poofy cocktail dresses
(inspired by the 50’s).
the art of Japanese gift wrapping.
JCrew blazers.
and Japanese gardens.

intense listening.
showing up, at the important stuff.
and the little stuff.
because friendship is witnessed there.

being around art.
making art.
seeing art.
and supporting anything
about the arts.

my mom and dad.
my extended family.
breathing intentionally.

Japanese gardens.
tandem bikes.
estate sales.
and cashmere scarfs.

reading the newspaper (on paper).
and books (never on a Kindle).
handmade paper.
and stories with happy endings. 

learning teen slang.
then using it incorrectly.
Japanese fashion.

not wearing socks.
and sewing gifts.

a Wisconsin brandy manhattan.
time.
nicknames.
magazines.
and letterset stationery.

hand-written thank you notes.
and dinner made 
for me.
then writing whoever made it
a note (of course).

sleep.
meditation.
more sleep.
and then another hour.

teaching,
especially about relationships.
and writing,
about what makes life better.

figuring out the world’s empathy-gap.
working to ensure every person feels valued.
in every context.
without exception.

supporting educational access
by partnering with schools like
Cristo Rey and
Prodeo Academy.

oh, and I like asking questions.
I’ve got a lot of questions.

 

vintage-camera-fan-suitcases-vessels-carol-bruess

Carol & Brian Bruess take a spin on the dance floor, much to the delight of St. Norbert College students.
(Photo credit: Corey Wilson Photography)

 

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