Very excited for this one!

Arbutus as ancestor, as aspirational body-type, as red root pulling me deeper toward home.

They make me think of chaparral hikes to thin waterfalls in fire country; of south-facing forests where the percussion of those little lantern flowers falling in the leaf litter sounded like rain; of my dad, who called madrones--with their papery bark and cool skin beneath--shick-me-shuck-me trees.

My great-grandmother was named Arbutus -- she hated the name, but I've always had a soft spot for the smooth-skinned trees in this family, so sinuous and strong.

Also, please share book recommendations with me! I write nonfiction but I much prefer reading fiction that transports me (and sometimes luscious poems). Favorite authors include Louise Erdrich, Eowyn Ivey, Michael Ondaatje, Ray Bradbury, Ted Chiang....

Honestly, someone needs to offer a subscription service where you choose your top dozen favorite magazines and every month it's a surprise which one you get. Does this exist??