My week was much the same. But there were bright spots throughout the days. I am reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" which I highly recommend (I am late to the party on that book) whose author inspired me to buy leeks and make a potato leek soup yesterday and to go to the farmer's market later today. We do what we can...and if you haven't read it yet, Betsy, check out "The Dog Lived, And So Will I" which is the best kind of dog book...where the dog lives!
"Braiding Sweetgrass" is on my Christmas wishlist. I want to read the actual book, slowly and drink it in. I, too, am late to this party but I am really looking forward to it. And I will definitely check out "The Dog LIved.." that sounds perfect for me.
My sister-in-law and I spent a day last week in your neck of the woods, or ocean as it is, The Embarcadero and downtown San Diego. The weather was gorgeous, it wasn't the weekend yet, so there weren't a ton of people and we had a blast. We drove to Oceanside from Irvine and then rode the Coaster to Union Station. We got off on a couple of the other Coaster stops and walked around until the next train came. My only regret is that I didn't do my research before going to see if there were any indie book stores to visit while we were down there. Next trip for sure.
So close! Next time put these book stores on your list: Book Catapult, Mysterious Galaxy, La Playa Books, and, of course La Jolla's Warwick's. You'll see all of San Diego that way and also find some good books. I'll meet you for coffee wherever you land!
Thanks so much for your kind words about my newsletter, Betsy! I’m honoured to make it into your post.
I have had a week of interruptions, as well --beginning at 4am on Wednesday morning, when I was woken up by a miserably ill kid, who still wasn’t quite well by Friday. I didn’t get nearly as much writing or any of the shopping done that I had planned for this past week, and it was so hard not to be irritated by that, even as I relished the opportunity to snuggle and read aloud to my daughter who otherwise feels too mature for such mothering. I will have to remember that C.S.Lewis quote for the next time I am interrupted.
I've so enjoyed your work and look forward to more. And yes, this week felt a little like going back in time. I'm changing and washing diapers, albeit for a dog, not a toddler. But I do remember those sick days -- the interruptions, the agenda-shifting, but also those moments when the kid becomes young again and you can be close. It's a special time, isn't it? In its way :)
Thanks so much for the shout-out! I'm thinking of November as a time to clear out what needs to go in preparation for the long rest that is winter. And napping is never, ever a waste of time. Being able to nap is one my most prized skills.
Yes, napping is rapidly becoming my drug of choice. I'll clean my office today. I think that will be a good way to feel my way to that "clearing out" opportunity that November offers.
That's some stack o'books, Betsy! My "stack" is way more spread out, otherwise I'd be knocking it over. My heart goes out to you and your doggo. As for interruptions, I feel pretty cranky about them, and have to remind myself that there's another day coming. I don't have to do it all today! I've been lucky to write even a sentence or two the past few days, but I will get to them. I have to have faith. Between Daylight Savings Time, the elections, and my daughter taking a few (well deserved) days off, my writing time has been disrupted a bit. Today I will remain calm...
I wish you lots of calm today and every day, Sandra. Today I plan to write one sentence in my novel. Just one. And see where it leads before the next diaper change.
I love autumn the best, (and it's my birth month), because it seems a time for slowing down and resting as we get ready to endure a time of hibernation and renewal, filled with beauty, as we look forward to reawakening in the spring
Oh, that C.S. Lewis quote. He knew what “being in the moment” was before any of us had ever heard the phrase. I’ll keep working on it. Having the Novembers is like having the Mondays, I think--almost a universal but feels incredibly personal and isolating. I’m looking for new strategies. It seems to me that immersing in murder is a healthier choice in the long term than binge eating and doomscrolling! Hang in there.
Thank you, Judith. I have to confess, I'm eating my feelings and that is one thing I'd like to correct. I'm one of those who believes salvation lies in the next bite or the next cup of cocoa.
My week was much the same. But there were bright spots throughout the days. I am reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" which I highly recommend (I am late to the party on that book) whose author inspired me to buy leeks and make a potato leek soup yesterday and to go to the farmer's market later today. We do what we can...and if you haven't read it yet, Betsy, check out "The Dog Lived, And So Will I" which is the best kind of dog book...where the dog lives!
"Braiding Sweetgrass" is on my Christmas wishlist. I want to read the actual book, slowly and drink it in. I, too, am late to this party but I am really looking forward to it. And I will definitely check out "The Dog LIved.." that sounds perfect for me.
My sister-in-law and I spent a day last week in your neck of the woods, or ocean as it is, The Embarcadero and downtown San Diego. The weather was gorgeous, it wasn't the weekend yet, so there weren't a ton of people and we had a blast. We drove to Oceanside from Irvine and then rode the Coaster to Union Station. We got off on a couple of the other Coaster stops and walked around until the next train came. My only regret is that I didn't do my research before going to see if there were any indie book stores to visit while we were down there. Next trip for sure.
So close! Next time put these book stores on your list: Book Catapult, Mysterious Galaxy, La Playa Books, and, of course La Jolla's Warwick's. You'll see all of San Diego that way and also find some good books. I'll meet you for coffee wherever you land!
Thanks Betsy, I'll have noted the bookstores you mentioned and I'll definitely contact you for coffee.
Thanks so much for your kind words about my newsletter, Betsy! I’m honoured to make it into your post.
I have had a week of interruptions, as well --beginning at 4am on Wednesday morning, when I was woken up by a miserably ill kid, who still wasn’t quite well by Friday. I didn’t get nearly as much writing or any of the shopping done that I had planned for this past week, and it was so hard not to be irritated by that, even as I relished the opportunity to snuggle and read aloud to my daughter who otherwise feels too mature for such mothering. I will have to remember that C.S.Lewis quote for the next time I am interrupted.
I've so enjoyed your work and look forward to more. And yes, this week felt a little like going back in time. I'm changing and washing diapers, albeit for a dog, not a toddler. But I do remember those sick days -- the interruptions, the agenda-shifting, but also those moments when the kid becomes young again and you can be close. It's a special time, isn't it? In its way :)
Thanks so much for the shout-out! I'm thinking of November as a time to clear out what needs to go in preparation for the long rest that is winter. And napping is never, ever a waste of time. Being able to nap is one my most prized skills.
Yes, napping is rapidly becoming my drug of choice. I'll clean my office today. I think that will be a good way to feel my way to that "clearing out" opportunity that November offers.
That's some stack o'books, Betsy! My "stack" is way more spread out, otherwise I'd be knocking it over. My heart goes out to you and your doggo. As for interruptions, I feel pretty cranky about them, and have to remind myself that there's another day coming. I don't have to do it all today! I've been lucky to write even a sentence or two the past few days, but I will get to them. I have to have faith. Between Daylight Savings Time, the elections, and my daughter taking a few (well deserved) days off, my writing time has been disrupted a bit. Today I will remain calm...
I wish you lots of calm today and every day, Sandra. Today I plan to write one sentence in my novel. Just one. And see where it leads before the next diaper change.
I love autumn the best, (and it's my birth month), because it seems a time for slowing down and resting as we get ready to endure a time of hibernation and renewal, filled with beauty, as we look forward to reawakening in the spring
You have a wonderful reason to love this month and I love the way you describe it. Here's to the quiet period before reawakening! Happy Birthday!
...the interruptions are precisely one’s life, wow! ❤️
I know, right?
Oh, that C.S. Lewis quote. He knew what “being in the moment” was before any of us had ever heard the phrase. I’ll keep working on it. Having the Novembers is like having the Mondays, I think--almost a universal but feels incredibly personal and isolating. I’m looking for new strategies. It seems to me that immersing in murder is a healthier choice in the long term than binge eating and doomscrolling! Hang in there.
Thank you, Judith. I have to confess, I'm eating my feelings and that is one thing I'd like to correct. I'm one of those who believes salvation lies in the next bite or the next cup of cocoa.
Glad your enjoying Louise Penny's books!