A Book a Day.

In the movie God Help the Girl, the character Eve sings, "I read a book a day like an apple." I like how this connects reading to health.

I read a memoir of someone who moved into Shakespeare and Company. Besides helping to run the store, the only rent was that he had to read a whole book every day and let the owner quiz him.

The thought of reading a book a day is fascinating and fightening. Think what that amount of literature could do to one's heart and mind! It could be magical. How on earth would I find the time to read so much? Maybe I have concentration problems and get distracted too easily. I know I don't use all my free minutes well. If I'm nervous, I can't read at all.

When we lived in a remote town when Josh taught his first year of high school, I was working on my thesis and reading books the faculty had assigned. My goal was to read 100 books that year, but I often finished a book each day. I didn't start and finish in one day all the time, but I usually had a rotation of books going at once. I read poetry aloud, and when I'm really present for poetry, I swim through it quickly. I consider those 100+ books one of my best accomplishments. 

Jewelry.

If someone had never met me but saw my jewelry laid out on a table, he or she might think me vain or materialistic. That person wouldn't even know how many necklaces I gave to Mom to dismantle for crafts!

But another person might find the jewelry interesting and the owner creative.I have so many kinds of necklaces and earrings. I only have 2 or 3 pieces of real jewelry. I love costume jewelry. A lot of mine comes from Ann Taylor Loft or Betsey Johnson. I'm good at hunting for sales.

I was at the mall with Mom, Shane, Josh, and Oliver a few years ago when Mom noticed a short, gold-tone necklace with three purple-rhinestone-adorned snowflakes. It was too perfect. It was too expensive. I bought it anyway, and I put it on right then.

During a major sale at Banana Republic, Mom and I found a necklace in black, silver tone, and gold tone with several large chains and matching keys of varying shapes and sizes. It makes me think of a darker version of The Secret Garden. 

Jewelry is fun and expressive for me, and it boosts my confidence. I'm trying to wear some each day even though I'm not working. 

How to Stay in Love (and Make it Work!) for 10 Years.

Somehow, Josh and I have done this. We had rocky beginnings, and I often regard our relationship as a miracle. And while I still believe that, I want to think about what we've done, practically, to keep our relationship strong, happy, and fun.

• Find common interests or experiences as soon as possible. Josh and I were taking two of the same classes, so we were pre-connected through theatre and poetry. We found music and movies we both liked. These are little bits of relationship glue.
• Gather experiences together, such as visiting botanical gardens, going out to a movie or play, going to concerts, or talking about books at Barnes and Noble.
• Touch. Don't skip the joy of holding hands. This one is tricky, but touch (even a touch on the shoulder) wakes up all those bonding hormones. This can build a close connection quickly and can patch a relationship that is facing challenges. So keep touching no matter how long you've been together.
• Learn the other person's sense of humor. Try to merge it with yours. Laughter creates intimacy too. Make inside jokes over time.
• Tell your secrets. Invest when it feels like a bearable risk. 
• Commit to avoiding destructive behaviors such as shouting and name calling. These can wreck in minutes what you've worked on for years.

New Ways to Stay Engaged with Your Journal.

One can have a life-long relationship with a journal. The journal itself will change over time, just as the person writing will. One beautiful aspect of the journal is that it is a kind of writing that is open to everyone--not only to aspiring or professional writers. But any long-term relationship needs adjustments. Here are some ideas for keeping your journaling fresh.

• Play with color. If your journals are plain, try one a colorful cover and colorful or screen printed pages.
• Shop for future volumes. Go to Barnes, a stationery shop, or a gift shop. Seeing those empty journals may make you want to scribble.
• Stop worrying about being messy. If your handwriting changes daily, it's just reflecting your changing moods.
• Use different kinds of writing utensils: markers, ballpoints, metallic or glitter Gelly Rolls, a fountain pen...focus on the tactile experience. Find your favorites.
• Doodle. Add stickers. Make a mess.
• If you find inspiring questions, quotations, or phrases, write them on a new page. Respond to the prompt on that page right away, or flag it an come back to it later.
• If you love an expensive journal but feel bad about buying it, remember that you may use it daily for months. Maybe that's worthwhile!

My Favorite Objects.

I have a close relationship with concrete objects. I could tell stories about most of the objects in my house. Object draw me to others and connect me to myself. Here are some of my favorites:

• The silky green button-down blouse Mom gave me. I remember her buying it. She let me wear it to my reading at Queens, and I felt that my reading went well. Mom had the shirt for years, and I was so surprised when she gave it to me. Good memories live in the stitches.
• My blanket. It's soft, pink, and stretchy. I've had it since I was a baby, and I still sleep with it. Falling asleep without it is difficult.
• My collection/selection of pens. These inspire me to write, and they can match any mood.
• My makeup. I love all the colors and the degrees of shimmer. It makes me feel more like myself, and it gives me a way to express how I feel on a given day.
• My denim chaise lounge. I taught an extra class to buy this. It's elegant (chaise) in a sassy (denim) way. I need to use it more.
• My necklaces. I seriously reduced my collection recently, but I still have many beautiful necklaces that make me feel confident and pretty.

What are some of your favorite objects?

What I Would Try If I Knew I Couldn't Fail.

This is an interesting question that I've seen often but that I've given little attention. I'll try to focus on it now.

• I would sit in front of a black computer screen and let poems and stories flow out of me.
• I would put together a poetry volume and a book of short stories--and then try to publish them both.
• I would write a novel. 
• I would audition for regional theatre. 
• I'd set my annual reading goals to 100+ books.
• I'd fix my phone.
• I'd pare down my wardrobe perfectly for this season (as Mom calls it) in my life--not spring or summer but the present circumstances.
• I'd get Oliver into the pre-K or preschool program here.
• I'd fill my journals in two weeks like I used to (it takes a month or more now).
• I'd pare down my library perfectly. 
• I'd work on my quotation notebook--I'm so behind!
• I'd fly a little.
• I'd attempt any book that has intimidated me.
• I'd get a library to care for my journals after I die.

How to Sparkle More.

• Read more children's books.
• Read the color-coded fairy tale books (Andrew Lang).
• Read more science fiction and fantasy.
• Play with color in coloring books.
• Listen to soothing, inspiring music like Enya.
• Continue listening to showtunes and working it into the family's morning routine.
• Learn about shows after Bruce and I see them.
• Take medication--every time and at the right time.
• Hang up some snowflakes and make a glittery mess.
• Collect gifts for people throughout the year, so no special day catches me by surprise.
• Use my favorite peppermint marshmallow candle.
• Rather than saving something special, think of what a pity it would be if I never used the object. And use it!
• Look at old photos of Oliver. Watch for photos in which I look truly happy--even if I were sick or hurt at the time.
• Don't be lazy about eye makeup. Layer the sparkle.
• Pay attention to those who love me most and see it in their eyes. Carry that feeling.
• Always wear something that glimmers--it will remind me of who I want to be.