My Day Off


I get home from my cruise on a Saturday night — all sun-kissed, relaxed, and feeling like life had just handed me a lei and a fruity drink. I wave hello to my Jeep when my Uber pulls into the parking lot outside my condo. The next morning? Poof. The Jeep is gone. Stolen. Again.


Truly, if that Jeep had any more wanderlust, it would’ve packed a tiny backpack and left me a note that says “Don’t wait up.” But fear not — I have a wonderful friend named Jeremy who has taken on the noble role of chauffeur without even requiring a royal decree. Bless him.


Fast-forward to Wednesday — my precious day off. I have a wholesome, productive plan like a hobbit preparing their second breakfast:


The noble quest list:

  1. Go out for a little while and take some photos.
  2. Schedule social media through Oct 31.
  3. Finalize my logo. Because branding.

What actually happened:

  1. Frolic through nature for hours like an over-caffeinated forest sprite with a camera.
  2. Get a call saying my Jeep has been found.
  3. Spend the afternoon with Detective MacDonald & Lt. Dufour from forensics like I'm suddenly starring in CSI: Aurora.



Intrigued? Oh honey, keep reading.

Being Productive


I wake up, plug in my laptop, and chat with my friend Jordan while fussing with logo tweaks — you know, moving fonts one pixel to the left like my entire existence depends on it. Finally, angels sang, pixels aligned, and my new logo sits waiting to be published. Jordan, my long-distance accountability manager, insists I go take photos, so I haul my arse out of bed and into the world.

The Burnt Condos


I wander toward James A. Bible Park, camera in hand, soul refreshed by sunlight and fresh air — that magical combo that cures everything except stolen vehicles. I cut through the apartment lot next door and pass the building that recently burned. The charred scent still clings to the air, smoky and haunting. Life leaves marks in the most unexpected places.

Charred remains of a burned building showing severe fire damage to the structure.
Skeletal remains of a fire-damaged building with exposed wooden framing and charred walls.

There She Goes Just A-Walkin' Down the Street


Soon I’m surrounded by nature’s little treasures — bright orange berries shining against green foliage like tiny autumn jewels, dew-kissed leaves sparkling like they’re auditioning for a fantasy film close-up.

Cluster of bright orange berries with dark green leaves in soft focus.

East James A Bible Park


I arrive at the park, and follow the creek. I witness a hawk swoop through the sky with majestic indifference. People pass by giving me curious what-on-earth-is-she-photographing glances. Let them wonder — art requires mystery.

Rocky creek surrounded by vibrant yellow fall foliage and tall trees in autumn sunlight.
A bird resting on a tree branch in black and white artistic composition.
A tranquil creek flows through golden autumn trees with sunlit foliage reflecting in the water.
A hawk perched on a branch among vibrant yellow autumn leaves.
Lone cottonwood tree with bright yellow autumn foliage standing in an open prairie field.
Bird perched in a yellow fall tree with golden foliage.
Closeup of dewy fall leaves with water droplets in dark moody lighting.
Winding path through golden autumn trees in a peaceful park setting.
Bird silhouette among bright yellow autumn foliage against white sky.

West James A Bible Park


Eventually, I find the “bridge” — a row of giant rocks crossing the creek. Normal people would walk across like civilized adventurers. I, naturally, lay across one like a dramatic woodland poet trying to take a shot right above the water. What can I say? Commitment.


I stumble upon a dried creek bed, which, if you’ve never walked one, is like stepping into a quiet little pocket of forgotten earth magic. And then a discovery — a vintage car mirror. A relic glinting in the dirt. I take photos, walk away, immediately regret it, and march back to retrieve it.

Yellow fallen leaves scattered on black ground creating dramatic contrast.
Leaf-covered autumn trail winding through trees with golden fall colors.
Bright yellow maple leaf lying atop a bed of brown fallen leaves.
Dark soil texture with scattered dry leaves and plant debris.
Small mirror reflecting trees while surrounded by fallen autumn leaves.
Abstract black and white macro photograph of tree bark texture and patterns.

Evening with the Police


I finally return home, feeling spiritually hydrated, when the phone rings. Aurora PD Records. They found my Jeep. Cue adrenaline, dread, and a small internal scream.


I call the impound. The robot voice nearly defeats me — truly the Balrog of automated phone trees — so I call the PD instead. A kind officer connects me to an actual human. Victory is mine.


“We can’t tell you anything; your vehicle is on Police Hold.”

Excuse me? My Jeep is being held hostage now?


Next thing I know, I’m talking to Detective MacDonald, who casually informs me that my Jeep was involved in a shooting. My heart? A confused hummingbird. Excited? Terrified? Who knows. He asks for a DNA sample in order to rule out what belongs to me in the Jeep and requests permission to retrieve a bullet lodged in the driver’s door. As one does, mid-Wednesday.


I obviously say yes. So, Detective MacDonald picks me up and we head to the impound. The Jeep looks absolutely done with life. I grant permission to extract the bullet, meet Lt. Dufour from forensics who swabs my cheeks like I’m auditioning for a true crime documentary, snap a picture of the bullet hole (because content), and then get chauffeured home by the detective.

Side view of a dark blue Jeep Cherokee SUV parked on gravel.