kellycools

Pedal the Pacific: Why I Ride

This post is from the Pedal the Pacific blog. Pedal the Pacific is an advocacy organization that raises awareness about sex trafficking through a 1,700 mile bike ride down the Pacific coast. A few years ago, I learned about sex trafficking for the first time and knew I had to do something. I was unsureContinue reading “Pedal the Pacific: Why I Ride”

Runnin’ Mardi Gras

At 8am on a Tuesday in February, masked and hooded figures gather across the rural counties of Louisiana. It is quiet and calm, but it won’t be for long. The people carry an air of anticipation. Everyone is clad in bright hues, primarily of purple, green, and gold, with fringe running up and down theContinue reading “Runnin’ Mardi Gras”

Hometown

My hometown is the kind of place where people easily get stuck. Different people get stuck for different reasons, some good and some bad, but the slow pace generally has the effect of making people think they have all the time in the world. This story is about a good kind of stuck, one thatContinue reading “Hometown”

The Hoax of Modern Minimalism

I recently bought a new toothbrush. A simple, curved toothbrush made from 100% recycled materials. It came in purple, red, green, and blue. Trivial choices usually present a great dilemma for me. I didn’t want the next couple months of brushing my teeth to have a small pang of regret. I stared at the options,Continue reading “The Hoax of Modern Minimalism”

The Last Month in This House

When we first moved here I was angry. I wanted to hear the cars go by my window at night like they did on Cottonwood Drive. There wouldn’t be traffic in the culdesac to shine their lights in my window at night and hum softly as they passed. “I want to go home,” lauded fourContinue reading “The Last Month in This House”