I have learned the hard way. My mom and my sister, who live on my street, were just as surprised as I was to find out they were not covered. But you can bet they are members now.

I just assumed that since I was a resident, I was covered.

They informed me that I was not in the fire district. Then they told me I owed them $3,800.

It takes a couple weeks to turn the photos into tiles. We're only ordering them in groups of 50.

You can't tell up close (there are eyes), and that's the beauty.

I think of the friendships I've strained, the generosity I've exploited, the bridges I've torched. Do as the heavens have done, forget your evil; with them, forgive yourself. There may be hope for me yet.