Chris J. Rice

The world is full of stories, and from time to time they permit themselves to be told.
Old Cherokee Saying

All those years on the road as a kid hunkered down in the backseat taking care of my siblings all of us often in dangerous situations. Strange how my childhood prepared me for this deadly season of crisis and confusion. I take nothing for granted. I...

All those years on the road as a kid hunkered down in the backseat taking care of my siblings all of us often in dangerous situations. Strange how my childhood prepared me for this deadly season of crisis and confusion. I take nothing for granted. I know that a few years is not forever. Forever is when you are dead. #jettisonwhatyoudontneed #igrewupinacar #covid19 #fostergirls
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCl7fSghJEa/?igshid=1f7pj4kjbrhc2

She was only 26, ten years older than me, and newly married, when she and her husband Tom decided to become foster parents. “They really wanted a toddler,” my social worker told me, “but they decided they’d take you.” They saved my life. She is still...

She was only 26, ten years older than me, and newly married, when she and her husband Tom decided to become foster parents. “They really wanted a toddler,” my social worker told me, “but they decided they’d take you.” They saved my life. She is still a big part of who I am and always will be. Capable and strong. A life long high school English teacher. She helped me to catch up in school. I’d attended 17 from kindergarten to the day I met her. Despite that chaos Janice made it possible for me to attend college. Mirrored back the best in me when I saw myself as nothing but flawed and come from darkness . Unwanted. Unloved and alone. She taught me different. And I am forever grateful to her. #fostergirls #fostercare #familiesaremade #allkindsoffamiles #loveisadecision
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAAxfv6l1W6/?igshid=ilf51e4c7qk5

I live with what I love, surrounded by books and art, and supported by a kind partner. I have an extended community conscious of one another’s well being. Generous and kind. So, safer at home” is true for me. But that hasn’t always been the case. I...

I live with what I love, surrounded by books and art, and supported by a kind partner. I have an extended community conscious of one another’s well being. Generous and kind. So, safer at home” is true for me. But that hasn’t always been the case. I know what it’s like to hide in a closet trembling with fear or the muscle twitch of racing out the back door of the house to climb a tree. To escape the anger of others. Today I acknowledge all those truly trapped at home. Children especially. Vulnerable and trusting and looking for protection. Not in school with teacher eyes upon them. Behind closed doors but perhaps not safe. Look for ways to encourage and support sequestered and over taxed parents. Give to local institutions set up to support children. Keep your eyes and ears and your minds and hearts open. #covid_19 #fostergirls #helpatriskyouth #survivorsknow.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0I9T1lrKk/?igshid=1c75o44avdi0t

Wooden plate, brown bread (Buckwheat Sweet Yeast Bread with Dried Apricot and Walnuts) orange marmalade homemade by my friend @reed4what. Hand Delivered to our front porch. I blew my friend a kiss as he drove off. From behind our living room window....

Wooden plate, brown bread (Buckwheat Sweet Yeast Bread with Dried Apricot and Walnuts) orange marmalade homemade by my friend @reed4what. Hand Delivered to our front porch. I blew my friend a kiss as he drove off. From behind our living room window. Valiant, my friend. And generous. That marmalade is a gift and a treat. An extra. If you have extra give to someone. We give to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. They are helping to feed thousands of people. A $100 donation will provide 400 meals. 97% of their revenues go directly to their programs providing food for children, struggling seniors and more. Lafoodbank.org has been dealing with food insecurity for decades. If you live in LA county and are in need dial 211 or visit their online pantry locator. I know what it’s like to not have food in the house. To go hungry for days. If you live in LA and are currently in that situation you may be eligible for CalFresh. Go to get cal fresh.org to see if you qualify. The average benefit is more than $300. per household. Money that you can use to buy groceries. Stay connected. Stay safe. We are in this together. #covid #losangelesfoodbank #calfresh #foodsecurity
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-r2nyiBf_c/?igshid=1n9gwahjahark

Funny memes and clever games, raucous songs of blistering rebuke, viral statistics, and our five year old granddaughter’s drawing of a colorful unicorn, her favorite animal, an animal which doesn’t even exist. Her drawing and caption come to us via a...

Funny memes and clever games, raucous songs of blistering rebuke, viral statistics, and our five year old granddaughter’s drawing of a colorful unicorn, her favorite animal, an animal which doesn’t even exist. Her drawing and caption come to us via a digital highway. This is the way our roads are traveled now. “The composition of each epoch depends upon the way the frequented roads are frequented,” wrote the remarkable Gertrude Stein. “People remain the same, the way the roads are frequented is what changes from one century to another and it is that that makes the composition that is before the eyes of every one of that generation and it is that that makes the composition that a creator creates.” That is a road metaphor that I can get behind. Especially as I do what I can day by day, waking up from a fitful night, drinking coffee with my love, writing some after I read digital newspapers, texting my loved ones, cooking our food, and then sobbing for a few minutes. Then, I get back to work on Driven, a memoir of aging out, of childhood abuse, foster care, the last century, and a lifetime. Whether or not the book will ever be published I do not know and right now I do not care. Still I work. As we have always done, for millions of years, before the wheel was even invented. When art was nothing other than a handprint on a cave wall. #covıd19 #stayhomestaysafe #createeveryday
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-SYvO9BeyC/?igshid=yslggj1ezei9

I’m no longer putting my work on a pedestal. I’m cleaning and cooking and walking our sweet dog. Who hears my sobs from the wilds of the backyard and comes running in to lick my face and arms and hands. I say the serenity prayer as I wash my hands...

I’m no longer putting my work on a pedestal. I’m cleaning and cooking and walking our sweet dog. Who hears my sobs from the wilds of the backyard and comes running in to lick my face and arms and hands. I say the serenity prayer as I wash my hands though I am not religious. Perspective is my higher power. Literally and figuratively. There is a point of witness for this crisis. Far above us all. An all seeing eye which takes in the before and the now and the after and is able to put time and consequences all in their rightful place. I don’t have that kind of wisdom. And neither do you. Only a god can intend and be at the same time. We are human. Able to make meaning. To make music and art and love. To take care of the weakest among us. May we do so one and all. #covıd19 #takecare
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KlAj4hf03/?igshid=i631r66uub7a