Our Little Kartoffel

Words about fatherhood, grief, wonder, and the work of paying attention.

Hallo Kartoffelkumpel,

Thank you for being here.

If you subscribed yourself then you know why you are here. If you stumbled here or are receiving this email through means not your own, welcome!

I hope you’ll stay. Here’s what’s going on…

This is our new blogish newsletter called Our Little Kartoffel.

Why Our Little Kartoffel? Because some truths, like potatoes, thrive best when rooted deeply in their own soil. And this space is that soil. It’s where I’ll be cultivating the particular kind of attention I’ve learned to give to life as a father.

It’s also named after our daughter—the Kartoffel is our nickname for her. For those who don’t know, she’s medically complex and profoundly disabled. She’s also full of mystery and stubborn beauty. Most days, we walk the same loop through the neighborhood, passing the same trees, exchanging the same glances.

I talk to her the whole time. Some of those words are going to find their way here.

This place won’t be about finding answers or giving advice, and it’s not advocacy (at least not in the traditional sense, we’ll probably discuss that here at some point). It’s a slow, lyrical exploration of care, grief, and wonder. It’s about the relentless, messy, profound, and often disorienting work of seeing life as it is, and what might be waiting in the silence that follows.

We’ll lean into the questions without always needing resolutions. We’ll explore the tender seams where systems fray and where human connection mends. And yes, sometimes, we’ll tread into spaces that are rarely spoken of, or even a little uncomfortable. Because true paying attention often demands that.

Tone and style will vary, I have a history of experimenting with my writing and frequently I have more to say than would fit in a sentence.* But if you like writing that’s thoughtful, emotionally honest, and grounded in the everyday, if you understand the strange alchemy of care, if you’ve resonated with my reflections before, then this space is for you.

I’d be honored if you’d walk along with us. Until then, be well, stay gentle, and keep curious.

Someone out here is grateful for you,
[kartoffelvater]

*This will frequently lead to me adding footnotes. Posts will be written in such a way that you do not have to read the footnotes, but rather they are there as fun and funky fresh bonus content. Free. For you. No subscription required. You are welcome.

In this and subsequent newsletters then, a footnote will refer the reader to the bottom of the page for some immediate clarification, personal comment, joke, or other digression. Although the posts are generally not meant to be taken as academic works, there may be a citation or link for further reading.

Oh no, first post and I’m already using footnotes? This newsletter is going to be a journey…