The Last Day of 2023.

This will be a short post because I just wrote a long post on the winter solstice and other holiday celebrations. Josh actually wrote a blog post today. He has revived the blog he began eleven or twelve years ago, and I'm happy to see it. He wrote about the practice of imposing meaning. We had a discussion yesterday about what I called "planting seeds." We have different ideas about what that means. Take my annual tradition of selecting a very special calendar for the new year. I take this seriously; I am choosing the images that will light the next twelve months. This year, I have used an Annie Stegg calendar, which is beautiful. I have her Phantom of the Opera prints on our living room wall. Her art is enchanting. 

Anyway, back to planting seeds. Josh said that I choose a calendar because I am affirming (promising) that I will "be here" for the next year. I think he meant that as a choice to be alive for another year. But that's not how I think of it. I'm well past setting up future mile markers to pull myself through another day or week or month. Josh says that these deadlines or obligations are effective for him. But I buy the calendar because I want to send my future self beautiful art to reveal each month for the next year. I want to send reinforcements ahead, supporting myself in advance and giving myself something to which I can look forward. I've been thinking a lot about that, especially since the winter solstice. Celebrations and festivals plant seeds, events about which to get excited, events which will mark (and, as Josh wrote, giving meaning to) the passage of time. It's like leaving water at intervals in the desert for future travelers, and one of those travelers is you. 

I recently found a quotation I wrote down at some point. I don't remember the source or the exact words, but it was something like I stored up more love than I thought I could ever possibly need. I feel like I've done that over the last three years, and I think it is why I have survived this year. It has been a hard year. I've tried new things. I've had my heart broken more than once. I've grieved and not known how to grieve. I've not known how to move forward. But I've moved. And now, we're on the brink of 2024, and I continue to store up as much as I can, even if I'm only (or not even) breaking even right now. 

New Year's Eve may be an arbitrary marker, and if I stay up to see midnight, it won't be on purpose. I think Josh and I have stayed up for just a couple of our nineteen midnights. But I will gather any form of love and any form of joy I can find if it is healthy. I will set it out like water and store it up like blubber and furs.

So, I embrace the coming of the new year, and I ponder the word that I'll sling around my shoulders like a cape (and around Josh's shoulders, too, as we've decided to share a word) for the rest of the winter and whatever comes during this revolution. I'll write about it tomorrow. 

The Winter Solstice and Such.

On December 15, I finished my grading and turned in my grades. I finished my first semester back in teaching. I did it. Despite enormous personal and medical obstacles, I made it. But I didn't really celebrate that day or that weekend because the boys weren't done yet. 

On December 17, Sunday, I finally saw Bruce. We hadn't seen each other in over a month because I'd been so sick. But that afternoon, we met at Barnes, where he found me in among the journals. Bruce bought me a peppermint mocha frap; I hadn't had one in years. We talked for a long time in the cafe and then walked around. I had decided to buy magazines. I bought five, two of them Christmas themed. I planned to read a lot of magazines during the break. I also bought a tiny Penguin Modern book, Create Dangerously by Albert Camus. I thought Josh and I could read it, and then, I could keep it in my purse. My pocket copy of Writing Down the Bones doesn't fit in my current purse. I also spilled Shirley Temple on it, but that's okay. We found a couple of great-looking horror books that I wanted us to read together, and I tried to remember their titles. I ended up buying another slim book called The Art of Frugal Hedonism. It has no price mark. But spending less and enjoying everything more sounded good. I just figured I'd skip over the inevitable sections on marijuana. We inhaled the candles, so lovely and so expensive. And I pined for a $20 Paper Source silver and gold star garland, but I didn't buy it. I did buy a pair of holiday book socks because how could I not? I'd seen them online, and I looked for them specifically.

On December 19, I picked Oliver up just after noon. I had, just that morning, packed Christmas cards and $20 bills in Oliver's backpack for his teachers. I figured that they'd probably just want cash for gas or whatever more than any silly gift I could choose. Oliver was in good spirits, but I worried, knowing it would be a long time before he went back to school. We went home and hung out for a few hours, hoping Josh would get off early. I finished listening to Wintering by Katherine May, a book I discovered when I was very depressed in the winter of early 2021. I read it as an E-book and later bought the hardcover because it became one of my favorite books. I had recently used an Audible credit for the audio book as well, thinking I might enjoy rereading by listening. Josh had begun the E-book as we've finally figured out how to share our Kindle libraries. He's actually found several books to read among my books.

Josh did not get off early. We went to pick him up at 4. I had asked if we could go to Kohl's, where I had an order waiting: a set of pink and gray velour star pajamas. My grandmother used to buy me Christmas Eve pajamas every year when I was a child, and it became one of my favorite holiday traditions along with complicated gifts in stockings (no candy canes for our family). Josh ran in and grabbed my PJs, and then, we went to Barnes. I was glad to be back so soon. Josh got me an iced peppermint mocha, got Oliver a giant chocolate chip cookie, and got himself a Diet Coke. While he was doing that, I went back to the gift displays. I was delighted to find that much of the holiday decor (alas, none of the pretty Christmas books) was on sale, 50% off! I picked up the now-$10 star garland and a now-$7 mini tin Woodfire candle. I brought these back to the table along with a running book for Josh to peruse. I found that he had gotten me a slice of cheesecake as well! So, we had a little party there in the cafe, and I decided that I really must get to bookstores much more often. That evening, Josh pinned the star garland above my Cinderella display. It will stay up all year. I decided that day that I would have an iced peppermint mocha every day until Christmas.

Just two days later came the winter solstice. A whole chapter of Wintering is devoted to the winter solstice, primarily to pagan rituals and celebrations. May actually went to Stonehenge to see the sun rise! I am not a pagan, but the frequent Druid festivals do appeal to me. So, what did I do? First of all, Josh made his excellent banana walnut chocolate chip muffins. At some point, I had my iced peppermint mocha. The best places add chocolate shavings to the whipped cream. 

I set aside my Diamine Inkvent calendar (one of the coolest creations ever) and fountain pens after I finished my Italian celestial journal. I found a journal that I stickered perhaps two years ago as a special Christmas journal...lots of snowflakes, trees, presents, and even Christmas fairies inside. I forgot to use it last year. But I started it on the solstice, a Compoco journal in deep blues and gold with an hour glass, a tiny sail boat moving toward a rising sun, and the words Time to Wander. I thought it was a perfect journal for the end of the year. I started it with a Pentel Hybrid Dual Metallic pen, silver with light green glitter. It made me think of icecaps. 

I wore my purple hoodie and my favorite black star coatigan, which was extra soft as I'd just washed it. It's a little ratty already (I got it last year), but I love it anyway. Josh took Oliver to the trampoline park, and while they were out, I watched Little Women, another Christmas tradition I have decided to establish. This year, it was the Greta Gerwig version, in part because Bruce was going to take me to see Wonka. I automatically loved Timothee Chalamet because he was Laurie! That version is not linear, so it doesn't have as much of a Christmas feeling as the Winona Ryder or BBC films do. Still, I was happy to rewatch it. I think Mom and I saw it on Christmas Day the year it came out. I'm always happy to rewatch a Little Women or a Jane Eyre. In fact, I asked Bruce to watch the BBC's Little Women earlier this year. 

The Pumpkin Vanilla Creme candle in the living room burned out, so I replaced it with a 'Tis the Season candle, which has a good bit of cinnamon scent, my favorite. The candle in the study burned out too (Merry Cookie), so I replaced it with a Holiday candle, which has an even stronger cinnamon scent. The Vanilla Bean Noel candle continued to burn in the foyer. 

When the boys got home, we drove to Arnette Park to see the Christmas Town light display. The whole enterprise took over an hour, and it's something I'm satisfied to do just once. But it was pretty impressive, massive arches of lights, twinkling trees, and so many animated characters. We listened to our Christmas playlist, which includes each of our favorites (Aaron Neville and Michael Crawford for me) and the James Taylor album we discovered together. Oliver didn't seem to mind the outing, but he was very sleepy when we got home. 

When the boys went to bed, I chose and decorated my Christmas journal for next year! It is a purple Papier journal (fountain pen friendly) with stars, my name, and Stardust Wishes on the cover. Papier journals are expensive (about $30), but they're personalized. I try to buy a few each year if I can. 

After that, I took a hot Twisted Peppermint bubble bath (yes, I have kept Bath & Body Works in business). It wasn't a perfect day. I felt enormous sadness at one point, and I cried more than I ever have in front of Josh. But unlike my recent mixed episode (see the sister blog, Water in a Wineglass), my emotions that day felt like a variety of healthy, genuine feelings. That was refreshing. I stayed up late writing, but it wasn't compulsive...I just felt like writing into the night.

The next day, Bruce and Corey took me to see Wonka. It was pretty great. I had popcorn with far too much butter (the employee really lay on the dispenser). I had an unpleasant moment when a man ran into me and groped me, and that shook me. But I was determined not to let it ruin touch, public spaces, or crowds for me. So, I hugged the guys goodbye, and instead of going home, I drove to Barnes. Yes, again. I got myself coffee and a caprese sandwich, which I brought home. But I made myself look at the journals again before I left, just to ground myself in what I love. 

I had expected that we wouldn't be able to see family for Christmas because of my continued illness, but we went to Charlotte anyway. And though I caught another cold (I was just getting over one), it was a good time. And Josh got me an iced peppermint mocha on Christmas Eve, right before the Starbucks closed. 

Winter Break Goals!

 I just finished my first semester of teaching since 2014! I turned in grades last night, and since I'm an adjunct, I now have a break of almost exactly a month. I'll have some work to do, wrapping up fall and prepping for spring, and I'll have tutoring prep. But I'll have a lot more time and a lot more time with the boys. So what do I want to do with this time?

Winter Break 2023-2024 Goals:

1. Finish final 6 art/design/fashion books of the year (for a total of 25 this year).

• At Home with Books

• Audrey

• Coco Chanel

• Christian Dior

• Joie

• Sixth book

2. Put away books.

3. Put away Christmas presents.

4. Wear gift socks.

5. Use that gift of Josh’s.

6. Thoroughly clean bedroom.

7. Put away all laundry.

8. Keep up with laundry.

9. Reorganize kitchen cabinet.

10. Read/listen to Wintering again (preferably with Josh).

11. Finish Sharing Loving Abundantly in Special Needs Families.

12. See Girl from the North Country with Josh.

13. Walk around downtown with Josh.

14. Go to Pan with Josh.

15. Get Oliver’s hair cut.

16. Put up new magnets.

17. Make at least one art journal Christmas spread.

18. Make at least one art journal bookstore spread.

19. Buy Wallflowers/soaps during semi-annual sale?

20. Finish all fall magazines for 2023:

• Bella Grace

• Real Simple

• Enchanted Living

• Art Journaling

• In Her Studio

• Oh Reader

• Elle Décor

• House Beautiful

• Other magazines

21. Start winter magazines:

• Real Simple

• Bella Grace

• Oh Reader

• Bella Grace Cozy

• Other magazines

22. Write 10 blog posts.

23. Type all new poems.

24. Type all workshop responses.

25. Respond to prompts.

26. Attend December 28 workshop.

27. Attend additional $10 workshops?

28. Round out reading list.

29. Pay for duotrope membership.

30. Update duotrope. 

31. Make fried rice.

32. Make pesto pasta.

33. Make rice and beans.

34. Read two children’s lit books.

35. Read Santa by L. Frank Baum to boys.

36. Finish Holly Claus.

37. Read Susan Branch’s Christmas.

38. Revive chart.

39. Finish Poetry Will Save Your Life.

40. Clean out nightstand.

41. Start walking.

42. Clean out bookcase.

43. Put away journals.

44. Number journals.

45. Start artist’s dates (week of December 17).

46. Go on artist’s date (week of December 24).

47. Go on artist’s date (week of December 31).

48. Go on artist’s date (week of January 7).

49. Use Strand tote bag.

50. Document gifts in journal.

51. Document gifts in art journal.

52. Wrap gifts.

53. Chapter 3 Creative Recovery.

54. Chapter 4 Creative Recovery.

55. Chapter 5 Creative Recovery.

56. Plan 112A.

57. Plan 112B.

58. Clear work inbox.

59. Catch up 2023 quotations.

60. Quote Goodbye, Flicker.

61. Read Bring Down the Little Birds.

62. Eat dessert for breakfast.

63. Eat muffins.

64. Make Dec/Jan budget.

65. Stay within Dec/Jan budget.

66. Reserve Airbnb for Todd marathon.

67. Drink a lot of iced peppermint mochas.

68. Update notebook list.

69. Update wish lists.

70. Finish Inkvent Calendar.

71. Work on Better Than Before.

72. Catch up with Libby.

73. Listen to audio books daily.

74. Listen to Donna Lewis.

75. Start January playlist.

76. Finish Sex Ed.

77. Start Fall of the House of Usher.

78. Encourage Josh to complete step 1.

79. Read one Christmas gift book.

80. Have Christmas with Bruce.

81. Give gifts.

82. Restart yoga.

83. Prep new charts.

84. Read Best American Essays 2023.

85. Read Best American Short Stories 2023.

86. Read Best American Food Writing 2023.

87. Read Best American Poetry 2023.

88. Read Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy 2023.

89. Reach 117 books for 2023 (to beat 116 last year!).

90. Read 8 books in 2024 before January 16.

91. Assessment?

92. Upload gradebooks.

93. Dye hair black.

94. Get haircut.

95. Put away gift wrap.

96. Go to Barnes 3 times.

97. Catch up library books.

98. Return library books.

99. Hide more notes for Josh.

100. Finish Linotte.

101. Do daily couples cards with Josh.

102. Find the last note from Josh.

103. Enjoy Bruce’s fake fire.

104. Read Matthea Harvey.

105. Shower daily.

106. Get well!

107. Discover new poets.

108. Search for journals.

109. Begin poetry collection 3.

110. Begin poetry collection 4.

111. Wear favorite sweaters.

112. Go to holiday reception with Josh.

113. Get sunshine.

114. See The Waitress Musical.

115. See Wonka.

116. Watch more Key & Peele sketches.

117. Use writer’s medic bag.

118. Clean out old purse.

119. Use 50% of presents.

120. Finish Books and Libraries Poems.

121. Nap or sleep in several times.

122. Sticker 2 journals.

123. Put away Oliver’s presents.

124. Drink more water than anything else.

125. Burn candles daily.

126. Finish Italian celestial journal.

127. Finish Christmas journal.

128. Clean out teal basket.

129. Pay radiology bill.

130. Get car inspected.

131. Pay car taxes.

132. Make February budget.

133. Lose 5 pounds.

134. Reread/annotate first half of The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

135. Celebrate winter solstice.

136. Go to online writing workshop with friends.

137. Choose word of the year for 2024.

138. Write end-of-year blog post.

139. Write word-of-the-year blog post.

140. Finish “Essential Reading” blog post.

141. Finish listening to Gingerbread.

142. Finish The Source of Self-Regard.

143. Visit with Mom.

144. Visit with Dad.

145. See James.

146. Wear green boots.

147. Wear black tall boots.

148. Wear Uggs.

149. Wear fuggs.

150. Enjoy Christmas trees.

151. Drive around to see lights again (winter solstice?).

152. Read FLB.

153. Measure belly and thighs.

154. Lose 3 inches.

155. Wear pretty green coat.

156. Go to Sephora.

157. Find out Oliver’s TA’s name (the shame!).

158. Get cash for teachers’ gifts.

159. Give a gift to Oliver’s teachers.

160. Stay within grocery/snack budget.

161. Order Gatorade for Oliver.

162. Get lunch items for school.

163. Read poetry aloud to Oliver when we’re alone.

164. Take photos of presents for blog.

165. Reorganize tote bags (house purses, as Josh calls them).

166. Keep utility bill under $300.

167. Eat breakfast each day.

168. Clean house January 5.

169. Clean house January 12.

170. Update E-mail signature.

171. Start Field Guide to Everyday Magic.

172. Clean standard pens.

173. Fill standard pens.

174. Clean specialty pens.

175. Begin Agnes Gray with Josh.

176. Organize and use new page flags.

 

Living Next to Narcolepsy.

I type this on my phone at I lie in bed with my legs across Josh's. It's after 11. I've taken to blogging when I'm lonely. Somehow, I don't get as much comfort from my own company in my journal right now, or I'm just too...something...to delve into it.

An hour or two ago, I said to Josh, "I don't know if I'm going to be needy or just sullen."

He said, "You can be both," and that's probably the best response he (or anyone) could have given.

Now, even though I'm sick (the fever and exhaustion came back today after yesterday was fever free); even though I'm drained; even though I've taken Trazodone, NyQuil, and two Xanax (yes, my doctor allows it on occasion); I think I am far from sleep.

Beside me, Josh has been courting sleep for two hours. He's really gone now. For a while, he could drift back into consciousness long enough to answer a question or respond to a request.

Me: Tell an always statement and a never statement.

Josh: Always and never. I will always house you in my heart. *sleeping* A never statement. *sleeping* Never. *sleeping* I'll never stop trying to be who I think I can be. What about you?

Me: I will always do everything I can to be sane. And I will never regret loving you.

Sometimes--no--often, when he's falling asleep, Josh jerks and startles. His muscles practice strange reflexes. He clenches his fists. He sticks his fingers in my ears or presses my eye sockets. He shoves me away. It's all a trauma response and the weirdness of narcolepsy, and I'm mostly used to it, though last night, I did say, "Ow! You punched me in the eye."

Tonight, I said, "We carry heavy burdens." 

Josh said, "Yes," and went back to sleep. 

It's true in general.

Dysthymia, a diagnosis probably masking MDD and PTSD. 

Narcolepsy.

BSD, probably type I, though the doctors diverge.

Panic disorder.

Autism.

intellectual impairment.

Emergent BSD.

Severe anxiety disorder.

And the way we began.

And the rest we brought in: coping mechanisms, trauma, abuse, neglect.

And the debt.

And the mistrust, the hurt, the damage on both sides.

And it's true right now.

The recent discoveries.

The justified bad evaluation.

The uncertainty about next semester.

The chaotic end of this semester.

The strep, the mono, the cold.

The near-constant, month-long fever.

The sprained ankle.

The thin support (though not always).

Our isolation in this place we think of as home.

I reread part of a 2007 journal last year. Even then, I wrote about his hand on my back, stopping its caress, suspended as if frozen, "and nothing, no shifting, no sigh, no throat clearing can start it again." It was years before he was diagnosed.

His touch has always been a lifeline for me, even more than I ever realized until this year. It grounds me. It soothes me. It helps me forgive. And at some point, earlier some nights than others, it stops. He might stroke the back of my leg once in a moment of semi-consciousness. His fingers might move to randomly massage wherever his hand his fallen, my ribs, my face, as if it's my shoulder or neck. It's almost instinctual, but then he goes still. His hand falls; he drops his phone on my head. He's gone.

I recall a few nights when he's sat up, usually when I woke from an intense nightmare. Once or twice, I've asked him to stand up and press his palms to my lower back, where I've kept my tension since labor. But it is like diving deeper when he's drowning. He is sleep starved at all times, and his dense medication wears off by night. We don't do anything that requires us to drive at night: I can't see in the streetlight and headlight spangles, and he can't stay awake, regardless of caffeine and loud death metal music and water dousing and open windows and self-slapping.

Some nights, I E-mail him my thoughts and questions, getting them out of my head and gaining some peace that way.

He told me I was cute with my nightguard in. I'm so glad he found it on the floor. The bite marks in the hard wax are deep. I've been clenching for days and nights, and even though the insert makes me feel like I'm drowning, my jaw and head hurt less, and my crowns may not come loose.

It's late. No one's around. Josh's hands are crossed over his chest as if he's been prepared for burial. He grinds his teeth, a terrible metallic whine. He often moves one hand to cover his eyes, dragging the fingers down his face as his arm gives out. His eyes roll back mid-sentence, mid-thought.

In the morning, he may not remember anything he's said, I've said...maybe even from hours before he started succombing to this mistress who calls him away every night, this master who makes no exceptions. Sleep. It eludes me and consumes him. 

But now, I feel that trembling, that shimmering of thought that defies metacognition. And I feel the joy and relief in noticing that my thoughts no longer make sense. Soon, I'll be gone too. The wonderland sense overtakes me. My phone falling on mj ⁿ a sL!,,

An Afternoon with Autism and Intellectual Impairment.

A good bit of my time goes as follows.

Oliver: Mama wanna sit down. *herding me to the living room and, after appropriate meditation, bringing me his tablet* Wanna watch kebbin aye bupette.

Me: Uh...*typing in Kevin Thomas Train as my best guess* Kevin's Cranky Friend?

Oliver: No!

Me: Kevin the Steamie?

Oliver: Steamie!

Me: Okay. Here you go. *settling in for the duration and hoping I won't get thirsty or something before the chain of videos ends*

5 to 10 minutes later when the video ends, or, if he's really tense, after about 30 seconds of the video

Oliver: Wanna put the phone back?

Me: *canceling video and turning off tablet* Okay.

Oliver: Phone back!

Me: *trying a different inflection as it has to be exactly right* Okay.

We sometimes go back and forth like this several times. Then, he walks off, returns, and restarts the cycle.

This can go on for 2 1/2 hours. I've gotten a little better at bringing rations and something to do. If Josh is at home, one of us has to stay in place while the other can briefly leave to make dinner or go to the bathroom. This is what repetitive-restrictive behaviors look like. It's not a lack of discipline. It's what he needs to regulate his nervous system. Meltdowns (which result if we wander off or can't figure out the video) are not tantrums. They're more like seizures. 

If the video cycling restarts every 30 seconds or fewer, it's literally impossible to do anything else. You can't read a poem. You can't write a full sentence. You can look at your work E-mail, but you can't do anything about it.

Reminder to self: Diesel's Ghostly Christmas is a two-part episode. The full show is not on YouTube. It is on Amazon Prime Video for free: Thomas the Tank Engine Season 19, Episodes 17 and 18. I just researched this for ten very stressful minutes.

And now, I need a nap. I've only been able to write this because he's watching several minutes of video at a time.

Alive.

I don't really feel tired. I mostly feel mentally drained. But I do feel some hope about my health. It seems like mornings are hard, but afternoons are easier. Even evenings are better than they were. Bruce says I should ease into my days. I've always been at my best in the afternoon anyway. Everything is amplified. 

I finally feel better enough physically to be afraid of everything else.

But I know this much: I will not end up in the hospital. I will keep up with my meds. I will take care of myself. I will seek support. If Josh is too broken, if Mom and Bruce are too busy, if Melissa is too distant, I'll find others. I will call Sheila if I have to. I will take people at their word. I will call Nanna. If Josh is passed out from narcolepsy and I'm alone, I will find someone to talk to. Jessie has agreed to be my friend. Let's support each other, she said. Megan is my friend. 

I will build a life. If I can't teach here, I'll teach somewhere else, or I'll tutor a bunch of kids. I'll keep my Medicare. We've gotten Medicaid for Oliver before. We've gotten SNAP before. I'm trying to look at all the worst things that can happen and believe I can survive them. I have survived a lot this year, more than anyone knows about.

I need to stop clenching my teeth. I need to print out my December chart. These first two days, if nothing else, I've written five pages. That's a start.  I read six or seven poems last night. I'll read more before I go to sleep. I've worked hard. I'm getting healthier. What I cough up is clear now. No headache, no fever today. Maybe tomorrow will be another fever-free day after a month at the boilibg point.

I will make it through this year, and I will shine next year. I will store joy in my cheeks. I will drink iced peppermint mochas every day if I need to. I will burn candles and light lights long after the holidays. I will wrap Oliver in light.

I may not be able to hold this whole family together. I may not be able to provide. But I will be present and well, even if parts of my body are failing. I will be alive.

What I'll Still Have.

I made this list about six months ago, and it feels relevant again tonight. This is in no particular order.

1. Floorplans and house listings
2. Libby
3. Cumberland County or other library
4. Tutoring
5. My benefits
6. Oliver's benefits
7. Medicare
8. My ink drawer
9. My desk
10. My beautiful desk chair (white wood with pistachio green upholestry)
11. Bookcases
12. Hundreds of books I own
13. Thousands of books I can read
14. My Kindle library
15. My ability to read
16. My old journals
17. Oliver's smiles
18. Occasional phone calls with my mom, during which she helps me sort out my brain
19. My makeup
20. Loft.com
21. Amazon
22. Drives and dinners with Dad
23. Alida/therapy
24. The pink velvet loveseat
25. My gray suede armchair
26. My denim chaise
27. My pink blanket (I still sleep with it under my head)
28. My pillow
29. My bed blankets
30. My creativity
31. Oliver's songs
32. My music if not my playlists
33. My Jane Eyre doll
34. My Jo (Little Women) trunk set, which I searched for for over a decade!
35. My London Cissy
36. My Scarlett Cisette
37. My Violette Cisette
38. My Beth (Little Women) trunk set
39. My Anne Shirley doll
40. The teal side table
41. Messages with Megan
42. My birthday
43. Birthday presents
44. Christmas presents
45. Christmas lights
46. Cinnamon-scented candles
47. My teaching ability
48. Bruce texts
49. Bruce Barnes/coffee outings
50. Watching TV shows with Bruce and Corey
51. Caramel iced lattes
52. Chicken Caesar wraps
53. Burgers
54. Barq's
55. Sprite
56.  Blackberry ginger ale
57. Tiny Dr. Peppers
58. Tiny Cherry Cokes
59. Apple juice
60. Theatre tickets
61. My publications
62. My poems
63. Bella Grace magazine
64. Bella Grace Field Guide magazine
65. Art Journaling magazine
66. In Her Studio magazine
67. Oh Reader magazine
68. Sticker subscriptions
69. Violette stickers
70. Etsy stickers
71. Book T-shirts
72. Glitter shoes (TOMS and others)
73. My star sneakers
74. My sequin sneakers
75. My tall black boots
76. My green boots
77. The white wicker wardrobe
78. My white metal bed
79. Old Bay
80. My pretty pillows (snowflakes, mermaids...)
81. My water tumbler a.k.a. growler
82. Cold water
83. Seasoned chicken (Old Bay, Italian dressing, lemon pepper, poultry seasoning)
84. My fairy floor cushion
85. My Annie Stegg Phantom prints
86. My Cinderella canvas
87. My personalized favorite books print
88. My fairy and mermaid art
89. My Jane Eyre print
90. The rest of my art
91. My Mary Engelbriet mermaid print
92. My travel memories
93. New York City
94. Broadway
95. Fresh Sugar Radiant Rose lip balm (fuchsia)
96. Fresh Sugar Icon lip balm (red, bought in NYC)
97. All Fresh Sugar lip balms, especially Advanced Therapy, which is the only treatment that really helps my chapped lips
98. My turquoise and gold ottoman trays
99. My pen collection
100. BLX pens
101. Precise V5 RT pens
102. Gelly Roll pens
103. Sparkle Pop pens
104. Krazy Pop pens
105. Hybrid Dual Metallic pens
106. Ooly glitter pens
107. Colored lead mechanical pencils
108. Lotion tissues
109. philosophy 3-in-1 scented gels (like Pumpkin Icing!)
110. My habits tracker
111. Poetry
112. Writing poetry
113. Submission possibilities
114. Musicals
115. Phantom
116. My art books
117. French lifestyle/fashion books
118. Fashion art
119. Leggings
120. Oliver's answers 
121. My Ariel jacket
122. My star cardigan
123. My cardigan collection
124. My gold cardigan
125. My gunmetal cardigan
126. My bling beanies
127. My interesting eyes (green with a thick teal ring)
128. My vision
129. My hearing
130. Taste
131. Touch
132. Smell
133. Wallflowers
134. Starry, my cat
135. Mermaids
136. Fairies
137. My heated throw
138. My heated wrap
139. Block books
140. New releases by favorite authors
141. Ada Limon
142. Amy Gerstler
143. Best American Poetry
144. Best Small Fictions
145. Sarah Addison Allen
146. Marisa de los Santos
147. My MFA
148. My favorite books collection
149. Alexandra Stoddard books
150. Yoga
151. Music
152. Broadway showtunes
153. My car
154. Scented handsoaps
155. Wish lists
156. Glitter
157. Art journaling
158. Collage making
159. My Summa Cum Laude
160. Stickers
161. My blank journal collection
162. Italian journals
163. Peter Pauper Press
164. My mental/emotional strength
165. New journals to find
166. DesignWorks journals
167. Good JuJu journals
168. Oliver's labeling T-shirts
169. My Betsey Johnson necklaces
170. My earrings
171. My bracelets
172. My ability to daydream
173. Planning projects
174. My best friend
175. Sunlight
176. Fireplaces
177. Strong men close by if I need help
178. Support from my mom and stepdad
179. My dignity
180. The body I worked hard for
181. The moon
182. Disney princesses
183. Michaels
184. Craft stores
185. Target
186. 2nd & Charles
187. Barnes
188. Bookstores to discover
189. Carrot cake
190. White Oreos
191. Free time
192. Joy
193. The Brontes
194. My chandelier
195. Words
196. Facebook
197. My website
198. Potential for love
199. My identity
200. Movies
201. Seahorses
202. Minnie
203. Pinterest
204. Zillow
205. Mom's advice
206. Weekends off
207. Possibility for travel
208. Rhinestones
209. Fairy stars
210. Glitter paint
211. My teal glitter scissors
212. Rubber stamps
213. Metallic ink pads
214. Shimmer ink
215. Coconut milk
216. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin from Bath & Body Works
217. Sugared Lemon Zest " "
218. Fresh Cut Lilacs " "
219. Violet perfume
220. Artists
221. K. Y. Craft
222. Amy Brown
223. Christian Schloe
224. Annie Stegg
225. Purple
226. Pink
227. Moonlight pens
228. Pastel colors
229. My star sheets
230. Into the Woods 
231. Urban Decay
232. Moondust makeup
233. My glitter case
234. ColourPop palettes
235. Natasha Denona palettes
236. Carrabbas
237. My fancy glasses
238. A joyful child
239. My soul
240. Short stories
241. Buddy reads
242. Fashion writing
243. Rachel Weisz
244. Bill Hader
245. Paul Rudd
246. Funny videos
247. Movie quotations
248. My quotations composition books
249. Snowflakes
250. Fairy lights
251. Swimming
252. My headphones
253. Macadamia nuts
254. White chooclate
255. Doctors
256. The Haymount Institute
257. My language
258. Bruce's couch
259. Orgasms
260. Presents and prizes
261. Trees
262. Storms
263. Cinnamon sugar
264. Brie and honey bagels
265. Olive oil
266. Green
267. Teal
268. Atlas Stationers
269. TWSBI pens
270. My music nib pen
271. Sarah Bareilles
272. The story of Cinderella
273. The story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses
274. The story of Snow White and Rose Red
275. Seasons
276. Ice
277. My snowflake mat
278. My glitter paper towel holder
279. Almost 18 years in love
280. My DVDs
281. Books about books
282. Family
283. My reading history
284. My driver's license
285. My teaching experience
286. Bubble baths
287. Food writing
288. My lamps
289. Sunshine naps
290. Cheap Joe's Art Supplies
291. Alani energy drinks
292. Determination
293. Prayer
294. Hope
295. Hydrangeas
296. Fuchsia
297. Wild violets
298. Oliver hugs
299. Sparkly makeup highlighters
300. Glitter highlighter markers
301. Gel highlighters
302. Mug bowls
303. Velvet
304. Star clothes
305. Irregular Choice heels
306. My shoe collection
307. Dangling earrings
308. Oliver's saying, "I good."
309. '80s rock
310. Purple knives
311. Experience as a second reader for a magazine
312. Character/art page flags
313. Cinderella film
314. My top frames
315. Xanax
316. Polka dot dresses
317. Brene Brown
318. Weetzie Bat
319. Books on writing
320. To-read lists/shelves
321. Bookends
322. Fabric bins
323. The necklace Mom made me
324. Theatre memories
325. Mary Engelbriet
326. Susan Branch
327. Warm water
328. Buddy time
329. Starry snugs
330. Sephora
331. Ulta
332. Pesto pasta
333. Metallic surfaces
334. Windchimes
335. Oliver's talking about Pete the Cat
336. Rollerskates
337. Eye shadow palettes
338. My suits
339. My dressy jackets
340. My favorite photo
341. Mandy
342. A LIttle Princess
343. Kate Middleton
344. My pen stand
345. Thinx
346. Purple DVD player
347. Green grass
348. Clematis
349. My pretty magnets
350. My nose stud
351. Chad at Harris Teeter
352. Buddy gifts
353. Packages
354. Cupcake art
355. Key art
356. Graphic novels
357. Clean mornings
358. Starting new journals
359. My pretty dish towels
360. My shower curtains
361. Polka dots
362. Star prints
363. Magic
364. Cutting up magazines
365. Gorgeous calendars
366. White end tables
367. Papaya art
368. Red grapes
369. Chocolate mousse
370. Paris
371. London
372. Italy

That's how far I got. Here are some I'm adding today:

1. My job
2. Ice peppermint mochas
3. Cool Whip and chocolate pudding
4. Can whipped cream and sprinkles
5. The Kate Spade quotation She Leaves a Little Sparkle Wherever She Goes
6. Prayer
7. Miniature daffodils
8. My conscience
9. My meds/sense of general reality
10. My love for myself
11. My project table
12. Carmen Gimenez Smith
13. Looking at Madame Alexander dolls on Ebay
14. Memories of and books by my teachers
15. My Queens connections
16. Hopefully, more friends
17. Faith
18. Windows
19. Jimmy Fallon
20. Warmth
21. OTC pain killers
22. Alan's saying, "I have no doubt you belong here."
23. Kay's saying, "Obviously, you can do this."
24. Cotton tank tops
25. Hipsters
26. Writing groups
27. Walks
28. Long gripper toes
29. Pretty socks
30. Anne Klein glitter wedge heels
31. My memories from BCC
32. My traumatic but triumphant birth story
33. Knowledge that I fought
34. Knowledge that my love is real
35. My self-improvement
36. My inner freedom
37. Contentment
38. Life
39. Panera
40. Sleep meds
41. Asparagus
42. Broccoli
43. Potato skins
44. Cheese
45. Help
46. My confidence
47. My compassion
48. My self-worth
49. My introspection
50. My potential

Beautiful Messes.

 Today, I read an article in Bella Grace (Summer 2022) called "Beautiful Messes." In it, many readers shared times when messes are fun or dear. I decided to make my own list. Josh and I are well matched in most ways, but I'm a messy maximalist while he is a minimalist who needs order. Still, I think he may find some of these messes endearing.

• The huge ink bruises that bloom on the side of my middle finger, on my fingertips, and on my palms from writing with, cleaning, or filling fountain pens.
• Glitter from the little purple Christmas tree spilling on my project table.
• My big makeup bag overflowing with colorful eyeshadow, sparkling highlighters, and glitter mascara.
• An avalanche of new sheet protectors when Oliver is playing.
• The dishes and spilled ingredients in the kitchen after I make a good meal...especially sinxe Josh usually cleans up after I cook.
• Spilled glitter that getrs in rhe carpet and that the vacuum can't quite catch.
• A scattering of fountain pens by the kitchen sink when I'm cleaning them.
• A bin full of magazine photos and ephermera waiting for a collage or the art journal.
• A skidding stack of book I've read recently, bristling with colorful page flags marking all the lines I want to write down in my quotation composition books.
• New stickers spread out and waiting to decorate journnals, especially the ones that come from Pipsticks!
• Josh's little snack bowls and wrappers on various surfaces.
• Starry's hair (and even the claw-pluck marks) on her favorite chair.
• A paper towel covered in ink splotches after I use it to blot my newly-filled pens.
• The scatter of tiny ink bottles from my Inkvent calendar on Josh's desk.
• My closet, stuffed but color coordinated, full of sparkle, velvet, bookish tees, stars, and polka dots.
• A slam-packed freezer with plenty of fish sticks (Oliver), pizza (usually Oliver), veggie patties (Josh), and vegetable steamer bags (mostly me).
• A leaning tower of new magazines on the ottoman.
• All the pastel narwhal page flags studding my journal, marking lists (like this one) and poems I need to type.
• The leftover foam in the tub after a bubble bath.
• Dr. Pepper and Cherry Coke cans before Josh whisks them away.
• The chip crumbs on the table and floor after Oliver has a treat.
• My books, computer, notepad, and pens spread out on a table in the college library.
• A basket full of pink and purple laundry.

What to Do When You're Fried.

I am definitely fried. Five weeks of exhaustion and headaches. Three weeks of a nagging, low-grade fever. Lingering effects of four days of intense vertigo. Doctors who don't take me seriously. A GYN appointment (even though it wasn't that bad, and everything is normal). A husband who is overcommitted and also fried. An energetic son who has two days off school this week when he desperately needs routine. Difficult conversations. Difficult memories. Early darkness. So what do I do? Here's what I'm trying:

• Looking at Christmas catalogs--Brighton, Goldspot Pens, The Company Store, and whatever else comes in the mail.
• Eating a shrimp, refried bean, Mozzarella, and guacamole burrito.
• Tearing out cozy scenes and colorful penscapes for my art journal, when I get to it.
• Drinking an iced peppermint mocha.
• Drinking an extra Dr. Pepper.
• Making tomato soup.
• Making cheddar and sour cream mashed potatoes (the easy kind).
• Lighting the Pumpkin Clove, Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun, Vanilla Pumpkin Marshmallow, and Vanilla Pumpkin Creme B&BW candles all in one day.
• Lighting two Christmas trees (yes, I decorate after Halloween and until Valentine's Day if I feel like it!).
• Letting Josh stroke me with a cold washcloth.
• Changing the sheets (if I have the energy tonight).
• Answering cheerful student E-mails.
• Writing in my Italian leather bumblebee journal.
• Reading Bella Grace articles.
• Starting a list of ways to feel like a kid again.
• Letting Josh take on more of the chores and driving tasks.
• Eating room-temperature coffee cake. 
• Wearing velour star pants.
• Showering with philosophy Sugar Plum Fairy gel.
• Taking Cinnamon Sandalwood bubble baths.
• Reading an easy, engaging book (Being Lolita).
• Reading poems about fairies.
• Organizing a pink binder with (for now) my 2023-2025 reading list, highlighter coded (green for what I need to buy, glitter pink for 40 before 40 goals, and glitter yellow for annual goals).
• Adding to my Amazon wish lists: one for me, one for Josh, and one for Bruce.
• Kissing for every goodbye.
• Carefully filling our four pill boxes for the week (a Tuesday task).
• Reading a juicy poem ("Girl Eats Her First Mango").
• Reading literary analyses of the juicy poem.
• Sending out class announcements letting everybody know what we're doing this week.
• Reading student freewriting journal entries about all their trials and excitements.
• Reading Toni Morrison essays in the dark while I put Oliver to bed.
• Writing a blog post to remind myself of all the good little things in these days.

What Makes Me Curious: Part 1.

I gave myself a prompt (which I gleaned from reading an article in Bella Grace) to fill a spread in my journal with objects of my curiosity. A lot of them turned out to be people. I'm thinking about how I can discover more about each of these curiosities. Here they are:

• Native Americans. I have a DK book called North American Indians that I want to read. When I was a little girl, I read as much as I could about Native Americans, but I've forgotten a lot of what I learned. I want to read more Native American writerrs, inclluding Natalie Diaz (I gave Postcolonial Love Poem 5 stars) and Stephen Graham Jones. I read something I'm heavily paraphrasing somewhere: Learn as much about Native American brilliance as about their tragedy. I want to do that. I'm going to search for anthologies of Native American stories or poems.
• Ancient Egypt. Egypt has always fascinated me. I got to learn some about it in AP Art History my senior year of high school. I have a DK book on Ancient Egypt. I want to read that soon. I also want to buy an audio book of Egyptian mythology.
• Interior design. I've always loved floorplans, and I enjoy decorating in my quirky, glittery way. But this year, I've become more interested in interiror design. I've read several books about it this year, and I have four more to read. Even Kindle Unlimited has a book about becoming an interior designer. It's not something I'd actually do, and I don't intend to follow any rules, but I want to learn more about it.
• Kinuko Y. Craft. She is one of my favorite artists. I've had a couple of her calendars, which I need to cut up for prints and art journal pages. I've already hung up some calendar art. I should revisit her beautifully illustrated fairy tales. I've added a couple more to my wish list. And I have one book about her drawings and paintings; I want to read that. Her work is gorgeous and fascinating. Check out her gallery!
• Tasha Tudor. She was another of my favorite artists. I collect books she's illustrated. When I was a little girl, my mom read her copy of A Is for Annabelle to me. It's an alphabet book about a very fancy doll. She gave me my own copy for my eighteenth birthday. Now, I have a story book or two, a book of love poetry, a Child's Garden of Verses, and a book of fairy tales, all of which she illustrated. I want to read each of them and absorb the art. I also have a book about her art; maybe I'll read that in 2024.
• Josephine Wall. Another favorite artist! I have some journals with her art, and I have at least one print in the study from one of her calendars. I also have a book about her and her art that I need to read.
• Amy Brown. Another favorite artist! I've loved Amy Brown since I discovered her as a teenager. One of the first Christmas gifts Josh gave me was a book of her art. I have at least three such books, but I've never read the text. I'd like to get the two other books on her art for my collection. 
• Sunset Boulevard, the musical. I saw this when I was younger than twelve. The cast album still haunts me. I've heard we may get a movie of the musical someday, which would be amazing. The sets and special effects are breathtaking. I have a big hardcover book all about the musical. I've had it for many years, but I've never read it!
• Dear Evan Hansen. I've watched a lot of videos about this show. I've read the companion novel. I've seen the movie. I've seen the show twice, once from the second row! I knew nothing about this musical the first time I saw it, but it became my second-favorite show! I almost got to see it on Broadway, but the pandemic shut it down that night. I have a big hardcover about the musical, and I need to read that. 
• The Phantom of the Opera. I think I'm due to reread this novel. It's also my favvorite musical. I've seen the show seven times, once on Broadway! I have...you guessed it, a big hardcover about the musical. So much to read! I also need to read Andrew Lloyd Weber's and Michael Crawford's memoirs (both of which I own) as they probably reveal a lot about the show.
• Ann Patchett. Ann Patchett just seems like a special person. I've read two of her novels, a memoir, and a book of essays (This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage). I own another book of essays, These Precious Days, which I'd like to read as soon as possible. It's on deck for this year! I also want to read the rest of her novels. She doesn't have a short story collection that I know of. She also has this amazing independent bookstore, Parnassus, and I want to read the bookstore's blog. The store is in Tennessee, and I'd love to go see it.
• Fountain pens and ink. I learn a lot about these from my Pen Squad group on Facebook, and a former pen pal taught me even more. I own fourteen fountain pens, and I've been learning how best to use them, clean them, and care for them. Ink fascinates me. I'm having an ink experience now because I have a Diamine Inkvent calendar with twenty-five miniature bottles of ink! I got the calendar last year too. Since draining a pen of ink takes me a couple of days, I've already started this year's calendar. I'm on number three! I'm also in the process of using each of my inks one by one. I have a desk drawer full of inks: standard, scented, sheening, shimmering, and "chameleon," which means the ink is one color and the glitter is another color. 
• Anais Nin. I've been interested in her since I found a volume of her journal, Nearer the Moon, at the library when I was a teenager. I read it, and in college, I read most of another volume called Fire. Now, I've collected almost all the volumes of her diaries, mostly Kindle books that I got for $2.99 each! I still have a couple to find, including one that's out of print. My goal for next year is to read at least twenty-five published diaries and books about jorunals, and I'll be reading Nin's diaries from the beginning. I have the first three volumes, a gap, a few more volumes...I'm missing the last three volumes. I'll get them all, hopefully prior to next year. I also have a couple of her short story (erotica) collections and other books, novels and nonfiction. I'm fascinated with her as a wildly prolific diarist. I don't think many people besides her have filled as many journals as I have!
• Anne Lamott. I love Annie Lamott. This year, I got to see her speak during a virtual writing conference. I've read some of her books visually, and I've listened to others. I like her voice. She's so irreverant, yet she's a person of great faith. I admire her as a fierce artist and thinker who is a believer. I want to read or listen to the rest of her memoirs and essays. I also need a reread Bird by Bird with a highlighter in hand. My dad gave me the book when I was a teenager, and it helped shape me as a writer.
• Sylvia Plath. So, I've read her journals (back in grad school), but I've only read a scattering of her poems. I have her collected poems, which I want to read soon. It won the Pulitzer, and one of my decade goals is to read at least ten Pulitzer Prize winners, so there you go. I've read one biography, but I'd like to read more. I'd also like to read more of Ted Hughes's poetry; I read Birthday Letters during my MFA. 
• Kim Addonizio. I've really just started reading her. Josh bought me two of her poetry collections this year, and I read both last month. I want to own and read the rest of her poetry. I especially want to read her memoir of writer's life, Budowski in a Sundress. I don't own that yet. I do own her Ordinary Genius, which I'd like to read next year. I also want her The Poet's Companion, which she wrote with Dorianne Laux. I read parts of it in the ASU library as a senior.
• Jill Bialosky. Another poet who happened to be KA's editor! Connections in the poetry world are so interesting. I've read two of her poetry collections, one of them so long ago that I need to read it again. I'm in the middle of her memoir Poetry Will Save Your Life. I need to finish it! I have more books of her poetry on my wish list, and I've checked out one of her novels on Libby. 
• David Lehman. Another poet. I read his The Daily Mirror many years ago. Now, I have his Evening Sun: A Journal in Poetry. He is also the standing editor of the wondrous Best American Poetry series. He gathers the poems and then gives them to a guest editor, who selects seventy-five poems from the year's journals and magazines. So he is kind of the king of poetry. I want to read more of her poems, and I want to read his forewards to as many BAPs as possible.
• Donald Hall. I've read his Selected Poems, which wasn't really my taste. But I love his nonfiction. I've read Unpacking the Boxes and The Best Day, the Worst Day; the latter is about his life with the poet Jane Kenyon. I own his newest book, Essays at Eighty, and it's on my reading list for next year.
• Amy Gerstler. My favorite poet! I've read all of her easily-accessed books and the BAP for which she was guest editor. Her poems appear regularly in years of BAP as well, including the 2023 volume I'm starting to read! I want to get a hold of her books that are out of print. Once I do that, I want to reread all her poetry in order of publication.
• Best American anthologies. As you may have read, one of my major goals is to read some of the Best American anthologies for every year. I'm going back to 2000 with Poetry (maybe eventually all the way back to the '80s) and back to 2020 with Short Stories, Essays, Food Writing, Travel Writing (which unfortunately folded after 2021), and Science Fiction and Fantasy. I have a lot of catching up to do! I have read several of the Poetry volumes, but I want to own and read all of them, or at least twenty-three years of them. Each anthology has a series editor and an annual guest editor. Ann Patchett edited one of the Best American Short Stories! These anthologies are the best way to learn about contemporary poetry and discover new poets. That's how I discovered Amy Gerstler!
• Contemporary poetry. I want to learn more about contemporary poetry by reading as much of it as I can. Reading BAP will help. I also want to read as many Pitt Poetry Series books as I can. I recently discovered the Everyman's Library Pocket Poets, little anthologies of poems, sometimes by single poets but often by a variety of poets across time writing on a particualr subject. Josh has given me three of these. I'm almost done with Fairy Poems, and I'm eager to read Art and Artists poems and Books and Libraries poems. I have a lot more of the books on my wish list. I plan to read a book of poetry for every day of April and October each year. I did that this October and managed to whittle down my stacks of poetry.
• Libraries. Libraries are remarkable. I'm using Libby now to read as many E-books and audio books as I can. I currently have overdue books from the physical library, but once I finish and return those, I'm going to get back to reading all the poetry at my local branch and to borrowing books from all over the state thrioug the inter-library loan program! I'm also just curiosu about libraries in general, public, private, and personal. I'm currently reading a book called At Home with Books, which is about notable personal libraries. I love reading books like that; I've read others, and I plan to read more!

Prompt Response: What to Look Forward To.

I was reading last year's summer issue of Bella Grace today, and it had a prompt to write down what you can look forward to over the next week. I decided to write it for this week and next week. I'm trying to remind myself that tasks are something to look forward to as well. Of course, every day, I look forward to that first morning soda.

Friday

• Seeing Bruce and watching Sex Education or American Horror Story if I'm up for it (here's hoping I'll feel well tomorrow)
• Reading ENG 002 students' improved drafts
• Waternelon for breakfast
• Morning snuggles with Josh until 8:30
• Resting until 9:30.
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Starting Best American Poetry 2023
• Typing up new poems
• Reading student journals
• New ink from my Diamine Inkvent calendar! I'm starting it early because I probably won't open a new ink each day. It just arrived today!
• Starting to look at student social sciences studies
• Getting caught up on some training

Saturday

• Reading Mandy for tutoring
• Discussing Mandy and teaching Jacob new words
• Maybe sleeping in?
• Watermelon for breakfast
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Reading student journals
• An empty work inbox
• Wearing my star tank top for the first time
• Sitting with Josh in the study
• New Diamine Inkvent ink
• Finishing What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours: Stories
• Starting Toni Morrison's The Source of Self-Regard

Sunday

• Maybe sleeping in?
• Wearing holiday Twinkle T-shirt
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Iced peppermint mocha!
• Sitting with Josh in the study
• Reading student studies
• New ink!
• Two hours of rest time while the boys go to the trampoline park

Monday

• Morning snuggles until 8:00
• Yoga
• Reading literature for class
• Reading student literary anaylses
• Sending out new week announcements
• Catching up on classes
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Reading student journals
• Reading Mandy for tutoring
• Discussing Mandy and teaching Jacob new words

Tuesday

• Quiet morning with Oliver out of school
• Morning time in the study with Josh
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Reading student journals
• New ink!
• Finishing Ink Blood Sister Scribe
• Starting to listen to Circe
• McD Dr. Pepper

Wednesday

• A Dr. Pepper at the grocery store
• New groceries!
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Catching up on classes
• An empty work inbox
• Wearing green velvet Mary Janes
• New ink!

Thursday

• Watermelon for breakfast
• A whole day with Josh, including lots of snuggle time
• Maybe sleeping in?
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Reading student journals
• Maybe a date to Barnes?
• Maybe an iced peppermint mocha?
• Maybe a new magazine? Poets & Writers?

Friday

• Watermelon for breakfast
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Maybe sleeping in?
• Quiet morning with Oliver out of school
• Sitting with Josh in the study in the morning
• The Addam's Family musical with Bruce at Cape Fear Regional Theatre!

Saturday

• Watermelon for breakfast
• Reading Mandy for tutoring
• Spending the morning with Josh in the study
• Maybe sleeping in?
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Funny Girl with Bruce at DPAC!
• Peanut M&Ms
• Big bottle of Dr. Pepper
• Finishing The Source of Self-Regard

Sunday

• Maybe sleeping in?
• Morning in the study with Josh
• Morning pages
• Bella Grace article in the morning
• Finishing The Plague
• Starting Like Life: Stories by Lorrie Moore
• Starting Death of a Bookseller
• Iced peppermint mocha!
• Two hours of rest while the boys go to the trampoline park
• Hopefully making up a tutoring session

Now, I just have to make sure I actually do all this!

50 before 50 Preview.

I'm working on my 50 before 50 list! I'll be 40 in fewer than two years. The list isn't complete yet; I may make changes. I've included some 30 before 30 goals I haven't reached. Most of these goals are related to reading.

1. Publish or make a major effort to publish a book or chapbook (30 before 30).
2. Publish at least 30 pieces this decade.
3. Finish writing Break a Wish.
4. Write a total of eight books of poetry, including chapbooks. So far: four.
5. Write a collection of short stories.
6. Read a total of 50 chapter books to Oliver. So far: 18.
7. Read a total of 2,200 books (lifetime). So far: 1,053.
8. Read at least one book by each US Poet Laureate (30 before 30). I think I've read about 15/50.
9. Read at least one book (if available in English) by each Nobel Laureate for Literature since 2000. So far: I've read Kazuo Ishiguro, Louise Gluck, and Toni Morrison, but I plan on reading more by each of them.
10. Read all the Penguin Great Food Collection books
11. Read the whole Anne of Green Gables series (30 before 30). So far: I think I'm on book 6 of 8.
12. Read all the Dodie Smith books I can find (30 before 30). So far: I Capture the Castle, the Town in Bloom, and The New Moon with the Old.
13. Read all reasonably available Noel Streatfeild books. So far: Ballet Shoes.
14. Read all of Shirley Jackson's books and stories.
15. Read all of Anais Nin's published journals. So far: Nearer the Moon (but I'll read it again, probably next year).
16. Read all of May Sarton's published journals.
17. Read all of Louise Gluck's available books. I've read several.
18. Read all of Mary Oliver's available books. I've read several.
19. Read all of Sharon Olds's available books. I'm almost up to date.
20. Read 50 books from the Pitt Poetry Series (lifetime). I think I've only read six so far.
21. Read 10 Newberry Award Winners during this decade (books I've read before 50 don't count).
22. Read 10 Pulitzer Prize winners during this decade (books I've read before 50 don't count).
23. Read all Best American Poetry volumes since 2000. I've read about 7/23.
24. Read all Best American Short Stories volumes since 2020. 
25. Read all Best American Food Writing volumes since 2020.
26. Read all Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy volumes since 2020.
27. Read all Best American Essays volumes since 2020.
28. Read all of Francesca Lia Block's available books. I only have a few to go right now.
29. Read all of Helen Oyeyemi's books. I'm just getting started.
30. Read all of Anna-Marie McLemore's books. So far: When the Moon Was Ours, Wild Beauty, Blanca & Roja, The MIrror Season. I think I have four to go.
31. Read all of Sarah Addison Allen's books. So far: Garden Spells, The Sugar Queen, The Peach Keeper, The Girl Whe Chased the Moon, Lost Lake, First Frost. I'm nearly caught up.
32. Read all of Amy Gerstler's available books. Right now, I'm only missing a few out-of-print books.
33. Read a total of 800 books of poetry. So far: 271.
34. Read a total of 200 books of short stories. So far: 79.
35. Read a total of 500 Cumberland County Library books (if we stay in Cumberland).
36. Read a total of 80 books with Josh. So far: 10.
37. Go to Maine (30 before 30).
38. Take a train somewhere with Josh (30 before 30).
39. Go to art museums in Washington, DC (30 before 30).
40. Go back to New York City.
41. Go to England.
42. See a Westend show.
43. Attend AWP once.
44. Learn/relearn Spanish to fluency.
45. Take another class with FLB.
46. Take a dance class (MasterClass counts). 
47. Take ten classes this decade (MasterClass and retreats count). 
48. Pay off credit cards.
49. Take Oliver to a show (30 before 30).
50. Buy hard copies of all my five-star books.

October Poetry Month: Week Five.

Day 1: Today, I read two books by poets I know: Alan Michael Parker's The Age of Discovery and Joseph Bathanti's Concertina. Both were quite good. I've more or less giving up on writing poems for the month, but I did end up with eighteen new poems, which is pretty impressive. I'm hoping that more will rise as I write down quotations from the poems I've read. I have several composition books full of randomly-arranged quotations from books I've read. It's my way of saving the best bits. 

Day 2: Today, I read two more books of poems: Paper House by my friend and former classmate Jessie Carty and What Is This Thing Called Love by Kim Addonizio. The latter reminded me a little of Love and F*ck Poems but better. I've really gotten through a lot of poetry books I've been meaning to read for a long time!

Day 3: I finally read Amy Gerstler's Index of Women! She is probably my favorite poet. I got bogged down in the first poem a couple of years ago and set the book aside. But I came back to it today and liked it very much! 5 stars. So, now, I have read thirty-one books of poetry in a month! Even with health problems that sometimes kept me from reading at all, I did it! And I think that as I write down quotations, more poems will arise. I want to keep reading poetry often. I think it makes me a better poet, a better writer, and a more complete person. I'm looking forward to April Poetry Month!

October Poetry Month: Week 4

Day 1: I've finally gotten back to the poetry work! Today's book was White Pine by Mary Oliver. I love the quiet meditation of her poems, and as I said a couple of weeks ago, hers is the only nature poetry I tend to like. I've now read nine of her poetry collecitons, and I have more to read. I wrote a poem for her called "The Owl Queen."

Day 2: Today, I read two poetry books: Green by Melissa Fite Johnson and A Plumber's Guide to Light by Jesse Bertron, a chapbook. I wrote a poem called "No One Ever," responding to a poem in Green. I don't know if I can respond to A Plumber's, but it was good, worth reading again. I'm still not feeling well, but I managed a good three hours of reading in the evening. I'm now a little more caught up. I've now read eighteen books of poetry this month, so I'm still about five books behind--gracious.  I've written only sixteen poems, so I'm behind by seven. Strep really laid me out last week. This challenge may have to spill into November, but I'll get it done. The good news is that I'm currently nine books ahead (90 books) on my annual reading goal! I only have 10 books to go, so I hope to surpass my goal by a good bit. Several weeks are left! I continue to read two or more poems from Fairy Poems, the Everyman's Library Pocket Poet book Josh gave me. I hope to finish it before or soon after the end of the month. I'm almost halfway through. So, 

Day 3: I read Anson County: Poems by Bathanti today. I decided not to spread poets out; I have another by Bathanti and two more by AMP. I'll try to read them all before the end of the month. I wrote an as-yet-untitled poem after Bathanti. I'll let it sit tonight and try to untangle it and name it in the morning. At the moment, I'm four poetry books behind and six poems behind. I found a few more chapbooks, which will help me catch up. I have one week left. 

Day 4: Today, I read two books. Triumph of Achilles is Louise Gluck's fourth book of poetry. I thought Id read a ton of her books, but I have so many more to read! I hadn't realized she won the NOBEL PRIZE. I guess even her tenure as US Poet Laureate and her Pulitzer Prize pale compared to that! I definitely need to read the rest of her books.  The second book was Spinning the Vast Fantastic, a chapbook by Britton Shurley. That one got three stars. I didn't write a poem today...I may not reach the poetry-writing goal this month. Vertigo kept me down a bit today. I don't know what's causing it.

Day 5: I read two more books of poetry today: Those Days When Love Doesn't Work by Nancy Tripp King (I had to add it to StoryGraph) and AMP's Days Like Prose. I thought I'd read so much more of AMP's poetry, but I'm catching up now. Both books got four stars. I'm amazed I accomplished that much because my vertigo was severe, especially in the morning.

Day 6: I spent this morning in the hospital with extreme vertigo, so I did not read or write any poems. I have eight books left to read and only four days to do it!

Day 7: Vertigo was bad again this morning, the worst it's been. Dang. So reading was difficult at best. I went on Libby and searched "Poetry audio." I borrowed Feel Your Way Through, a book of poetry by Kelsea Ballerini. I've never listened to her music. I wouldn't call the book literary poetry, but the rhythm and rhymes were soothing. I bought another audio book for under $3: Be With, poems by Forrest Gander. It's a Pulitzer-Prize winner! So that helps me with my 40 before 40 goal to read ten Pulitzers during this decade of my life. And finally, as my vertigo stayed away in the evening, I visually read Louise Gluck's Meadowlands. I'm now at 98 total books for the year, 16 books ahead on my goal! If I can finish my poetry month reading goal, I'll get there! Since I've been so sick, I may be listening to a lot of poetry over the next few days. Only five books to go! I also wrote a new poem called "Watching True Crime Shows in the ER."

October Poetry Month: Week 3...Largely a Bust.

This week, I didn't read or write much. I spent a lot of time at the hospital, trying to figure out what has me sick. On Friday night, I finally found out that I have strep. I've spent a lot of time in bed this week and haven't felt up to much. I keep wanting to read or write, but I hardly feel able. 

On Sunday, I wrote a poem called "When the Moment Comes," which takes the title and first line from Daniel Halpern's "Nature Lover's Lament" and images from his "Daughter & Chair."

On Tuesday, I did read The Dark between Stars by Atticus. It's not what I'd call literary poetry, but the photos are interesting, and I liked a couple of the itty bitty poems.  On Friday, I finished Bringing the Shovel Down by Ross Gay, my first book by him. I have a couple of his nonfiction books, which I'd like to read soon. One is called Inciting Joy. His poetry was not very joyful, so I'll be interested to see the difference in tone. The book did have some redemption, though. 

So I've read 15 books of poetry and written 14 poems. I have a long way to go! This challenge may dribble into November, but I still plan to go for 31 of each. 

October Poetry Month: Week Two.

Day 1: I finally read The Hurting Kind by Ada Limon. I just love her. I've read all but one (maybe?) of her other books of poetry. I started reading her work (and she became a favorite) before she became US Poet Laureate. I discovered her in Raleigh last year at a tiny bookstore, starting with Sharks in the Rivers. The Hurting Kind is my favorite of her books, five stars! Two five-star poetry books so far this month? Awesome. I'd like to reread all of her books at once, maybe in April. I hope she'll publish many new books in quick succession now that she's so famous. Interestingly enough, she also teaches in Queens MFA program! All these connections. I told Josh that I didn't know if I could respond to Love & F*ck Poems, but he told me to take it as a challenge. So I wrote "Introduction," a poem about my first sexual experiences (spoiler: they weren't positive). It's not nearly as graphic as some of Dimitriadis's poems, but I think I captured some of her desperation. The poem also made me recognize a latent belief that had been fogging up the back of my mind and finally spilled into conscious thought. That's something to work on and perhaps something to explore further in poetry...or at least in my journal. I stayed up quite late reading The Hurting Kind. I read several poems aloud to Josh as he fell asleep, and I finished the book in the bathtub. When I couldn't get to sleep, I wrote another poem, this one called "Jar of Scorpions," after Limon's poem of the same name. 

Day 2: This day was a bust. I was intensely exhausted, partly from staying up too late reading and partly from an emotional onslaught. I think the beginnings of a mood episode or a fight with this respiratory infection going around may be contributed as well. I decided I'd have to be more careful about sleep. So, I didn't read a book of poetry or write a poem on this day, but I'm still going to catch up! Since I wrote two poems the day before, I'm not behind on writing, and I've already responded to the last book I read.

Day 3: My book of the day was Light at the Seam by Joseph Bathanti, another of my former professors. It's largely a book rural mountain environment poems. Bathanti captures place and demographics so well in all his writing that I've read. I'm not sure how I'll respond. But I did write a poem called "When You're Exhausted." This poem came from what I did today, tired as I was, and some advice people gave me through a Facebook post about physical and existential exhaustion. In another connection, Jessie gave me the last line of the poem. 

Day 4: I read Molly Peacock's The Analyst, a sort of love letter to her former psychoanalyst. Could I write a poem to my therapist or psychiatrist? Maybe. To catch up, I also read The Death of a Migrant Worker, a chapbook from Rattle. I don't know if I'll be able to respond to all these books, but I'll try. I didn't write a poem today, so I'm behind on that, but at least I'm caught up on reading. 

Day 5: My book of the day was Daniel Halpern's Something Shining. I didn't love it, and I don't know if I have a response to it, but I marked some lines I liked. I didn't write anything today, so I'm more behind. I hope to catch up this weekend as Oliver will be in Charlotte. 

Day 6: I wrote a poem called "October" based on texts Josh and I exchanged this morning. I read half of This Clumsy Living by Bob Hicok but didn't finish it. It was getting late, and I'm afraid of messing myself up again if I don't get enough sleep. I have new ideas for poems, though.

Day 7: I wrote two poems after Bob Hicok: "Ruth's Reply" and "This Is the Complete Shape of the World, an Inventory, a Map," which takes its title from one of Hicok's lines. I like to write a prompt for a poem in my journal (sometimes a title, sometimes first or last lines) at night and respond to them the next day. I finished Bob Hicok's This Clumsy Living. Hicok taught at Queens; I was in his large workshop once. I'm now only behind by one poem and one book of poetry. I've completed thirteen of each!

Writing Conference Prompts: Desired Outcomes.

 Desired Outcomes as a Reader

• Read 100 books this year
• Fill time with reading
• Read 31 books of poetry in October
• Read visually 2+ hours daily
• Read poems every day
• Read a story every day
• Read art
• Listen to books at every opportunity
• Read within my passions and curiosities
• Read outside my tendencies
• Read with Josh
• Read with Bruce
• Read some of Josh's books
• Read anthologies, especially Best American
• Approach books with curiosity

What am I doing well?

• The desire is there.
• I read deeply.
• I reflect on what I read.
• I read to help myself write.

What could I do better?

• Focus
• Put in the time
• Read widely
• Read daily
• Listen to books more

How can I do better?

• Keep headphones charged
• Listen during chores and meals
• Read The Plague
• Read a chapter of Creative Recovery each week
• Read poetry collections all at once in a day or two
• Finish a book most days
• Time my reading
• Use chart
• Update GoodReads and StoryGraph

Writing Conference Prompt: When I Am at My Best.

When I am at my best, I am

Industrious

• hard working
• steady
• focused 
• diligent

Studious

• curious
• searching
• note taking
• absorbing
• applying

Kind

• patient
• gentle
• encouraging
• loving
• empathic and empathetic

Creative

• present
• brave
• determined
• open
• passionate
• prolific
• visionary
• eager
• in wonder

Relaxed

• not tense
• satisfied
• content
• proud
• not anxious
• not guilty
• peaceful
• playful
• funny

Voracious

• exploring
• reading widely
• reading daily
• reading deeply

Integrated

• consistent
• honest
• authentic
• stable
• available
• engaged

October Poetry Month: Week One.

This month, I challenged myself to read 31 books of poetry. I plan on repeating this challenge every April and October. This time, I have some library books and plenty of slim (and not-so-slim) volumes on my unread-poetry shelves. It's not exactly a poetry fast (which I've done before) as I'm reading and listening to other genres to a lesser degree. A side quest has been to write 31 poems as well, most of them in response to the poets, books, or poems I've read. I did pretty well my first week.

Day 1: I read The Woman Who Fell from the Sky by Joy Harjo. I wrote a poem called "Misread," in response to Harjo's poem "Northern Lights." It's mostly about how I misread crows in her poem as cows. Ha! It made for a funny image. I also pondered addiction and privelege in the poem. 

Day 2: I read Kim Addonizio's Lucifer at the Starlight. This was a book that Josh bought me as a gift this month. I plan to read a lot more of her work. Josh bought me another of her books, so I'll probably read that this month too! I wrote a poem called Myth for Addonizio, after her book. 

Day 3: In an unintentional connection (I'd already planned my first few books), I read Subterranean by Jill Bialosky, who happened to be Addonizio's editor! I've seen a few links like that this month. I wrote a poem called "My Heart," after Kim Addonizio's poem of the same title. I sent it to Josh and Bruce as I usually do, and I also sent it to my mom. I also wrote a poem called "Overdue," which wasn't a response to what I'd read...just a poem about all my overdue library books! 

Day 4: This was a busy day, so I went for a chapbook: Shopping after the Apocalypse by Jessie Carty. Jessie and I were in our MFA program together sixteen years ago, and we've stayed in touch. I wrote a poem called "The Rings" after Jill Bialosky's "The Circles, the Rings." Her poem has several stanzas that all begin with the line "I don't think it was snowing," so I wrote my poem with the same pattern. It ended up being about living in Boone, about my meeting Josh, and about our ill-advised romance, which pretty much worked out against all odds. Out of a kind of misplaced loyalty to my family, I think, I haven't written much about that. It's time to put aside all misplaced loyalty!

Day 5: My book of the day was Falling Awake by Alice Oswald, an overdue library book. It wasn't a favorite. I'd never read Oswald. This book was mostly nature poems. I usually don't care much for those apart from Mary Oliver's. I wrote a poem for Jessie, responding to the first poem in her Shopping after the Apocalypse with my "Shopping for the Journey," which was a tribute to some things I deem essential and to my friendship with Jessie. 

Day 6: Since I'd read a book by a fellow Queens University alumna, I decided to read The Ladder by Alan Michael Parker, my thesis advisor. This was another overdue library book (I made a purchase request for it), but I think I'll buy a copy eventually because I gave it five stars! I've read most of AMP's poetry books, and this, competing with Elephants and Butterflies, may be my favorite. I didn't write a poem on this day, but I had one planned.

Day 7: This day, I read Love and F*ck Poems by Koraly Dimitriadis. It popped up in Amazon recommendations when, I think, I was looking for Denise Levertov books. It, along with Dimitriadis's other book Just Give Me the Pills, was on sale for about $5, so I ordered both. The poems were graphic, passionate, disconsolate, and sometimes manic. I knew I'd have a hard time responding to that! I had already written down the title a poem the day before, so I wrote "To the Jewish Sir Ben Kingsley," a poem for Alan, responding to The Ladder. It's true; he looks just like Ben Kingsley, and I laughed out loud when I saw that line in his poem. 

So that's seven books of poetry and seven poems in my first week!