“Bloom where you are planted.” So said the sign that hung over Ryan Berg’s stove. The rectangular wooden plaque was replete with painted red poppies, the shamrock green stems of which formed the letters. It was the only real splotch of color in the entire kitchen, or, for that matter, most of Ryan’s Portland, Oregon, apartment. His was an exercise in minimalist living. Ryan opened his fridge and pulled out a bottle of microbrew, popped the top, and stood leaning...
