Writer Ruby Fitzgerald

It makes me sad that I have to say this but wearing a mask isn’t political, it’s simply an act of empathy. It’s not about you - about what you believe in, who you vote for, or what science you think is real or not - it’s about being compassionate. It simply is a matter of caring about the people around you. If there’s even the tiniest little chance, the slimmest smallest tiniest percentage of some chance, that you could make someone sick, or could kill someone by breathing/co

It’s the Fourth of July, and with the state of the USA right now (Covid-19 quarantine, Black Lives Matter Protests, political unrest, accusations of violence and racism) you might be feeling somewhat guilty for wanting to celebrate this weekend. You might have conflicted feelings about uplifting the country’s successes. I understand. The best analogy I can think of though is that the USA is like a rescue dog: It’s excited and scared, constantly on edge but super loving. It ch

Although the media coverage of BLM protests has disappeared the need for action, justice, and community support has not. Not at all. This isn’t a moment, a trend, or a fad. This is a demand for change. Change that’s long, long overdue. So for today’s blog, I simply want to encourage you to stay informed. Stay strong. And to be a part of making the world a safe, equal, and encouraging place for everyone to live. Black Lives Matter. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. From YWCA: 10 Thing

The Black Lives Matter movement is an ongoing, dedicated, heart-felt, powerful call to humanity to do the right thing. To treat the Black Community with the respect, equality, and care it deserves. Which is why I want to share their mission statement. Please do not hesitate to visit blacklivesmatter.com for more information. “Black Lives Matter began as a call to action in response to state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism. Our intention from the very beginning was t

So this is less of a blog post and more of a check-in. I feel that, with the country starting in on its reopening, anxiety and overall stress levels have got to be high. COVID-19 is still a threat. Lots of people are still out of work. There are protests and riots. There are murder bees and swarms of cicadas. Fear is high. Uncertainty is our only certainty. And 2020 seems to get be getting more bizarre and frightening by the day. So, mental health check. Have you showered in

When I was a little girl I would always stand with my toes pointed in. This was a constant source of frustration to my mother, myself, and my gymnastic teacher. I cannot tell you how many times I heard the words snapped at me, “Don’t stand with your toes in”. After which, I would correct my positioning... only to find myself right back that way after only a minute or two. I think on that often, and it makes me want to cry. I know my mother was trying to do right by me, fix my

A year from now I will be embarking on a physical journey— one that will send me over seas through numerous countries, far from home. In this next year, however, leading up to that trip, I want to focus on my mental health journey. It’s been a long - LONG - road getting to be as self-satisfied and stable as I am now, but I know that it’s still not reached its end. I know that every day develops individually as a step back or a step forward for in my ability to enjoy my life.

Yesterday was Friday the 13th. Which apparently means tattoo shops run $13 tattoo specials. Unbeknownst to me, it's a thing as commonly known, accepted, and looked forward to as 7-11's free slurpee day on July 11th. I think it's hilarious. I think it's weird. And I love it. Although I don't have any tattoos (nor do I want any) I sincerely appreciate the sentimentality, creativity, and dedication tied to tattoos. Tattoos have become the base similarity between strangers that