• Sometimes, it pays to notice the little things

    June 5, 2016 / No Comments

    Sometimes, it pays to notice the little things. Once in a great while, when you do so, the Fates will throw fewer knots in your way.

    Today, I:

    * experienced a good dream (yes, vampires were involved).

    * woke up without a migraine — or the promise of a migraine — for the first time in a week.

    * went downstairs and rejoiced in the fact that my youngest cat, Sera, was still alive.

    * didn’t start to sweat after leaving the shower because the temperatures had begun to drop.

    * tried on a new summer-y blouse and it fit.

    * ate dinner at a local restaurant and everything was cooked correctly.

    * enjoyed ice cream for dessert and it was simply divine.

    * stopped by the local movie house and learned that the film we wanted to see was just about to start.

    * watched a movie where nothing blew up, a couple fell in love and nobody died.

    * returned home and was immediately covered by all the animals who missed me while I was out.

    * kissed my husband good night and did some productive writing.

    All in all, it was a pretty good day, particularly for June. I am grateful.

  • spiderweb

    Paths crossed, and the rest is history

    May 30, 2016 / No Comments

    I recently spotted a spider on the ceiling of my office. Normally I would’ve let her live there and eat any bugs that crossed her path, but this quarter-sized creature was heading purposefully in my direction.

    With conviction in my tone, I ordered her to turn and walk the other way — or else. She did not heed my warning.

    I briefly left the room for some tea to calm my nerves. When I returned, the spider was standing on my desk, in the spot between my computer keyboard and mouse. Startled by her sudden appearance there, I grabbed some tissue and killed her.

    Now I’m wondering… What if she was an emissary from the household arachnids and had an important message to impart? Did I just breach some heretofore unknown diplomatic rule and declared war in my home?

    –Photo by Andrew Beierle.

  • angry bronze devil

    Quote of the week

    May 15, 2016 / No Comments

    “I fear a future in which Autocorrect achieves consciousness, becomes our texting overlord and destabilizes civilization.” —Neil deGrasse Tyson

    –Photo by FooTToo.

  • coffee and book / reading

    I’m sure you’ll be shocked to hear this…

    May 8, 2016 / 1 Comment

    But I’m planning to participate in #Readathon2016.

    National Readathon Day is an annual event dedicated to the joy of reading and giving. On May 21, readers everywhere will be hanging out at their local library, school, bookstore and/or on social media to read and raise funds in support of literacy.

    This year, the Readathon will benefit the American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read initiative, a program that supports the early literacy development of children from birth to age five in libraries across the U.S.

    If you’d like to join in the fun, sign up here. Then, on May 21, grab a book and start reading. When you’re ready for a break — perhaps to refresh your cup of tea or to find a more comfortable reading position — share what you’re reading on social media using the hashtag #Readathon2016.

    #Readathon2016

    I will be live-tweeting my reading extravaganza on Twitter. I may even do a live reading and Q&A on Facebook, if enough people are interested.

    You can also help libraries across the nation support early childhood literacy by making a donation on Firstgiving.com. Contributing is quick, easy and secure.

    –Photo by Miguel Ugalde

  • Bookstore

    Bucket List item crossed off amid a torrent of pain

    May 7, 2016 / 1 Comment

    The migraine that wouldn’t end finally ended after more than three days of torture.

    This particular monster was accompanied by a high fever, chills, body aches, exhaustion and a rash, so you know that was fun. M was a saint through the whole ordeal and I was once again reminded how very fortunate I am to have such a compassionate partner.

    We did make it to the “After Dark” event at the Harvard Book Store last weekend, and it was everything I hoped it would be. Once the lights went out, ghost stories were shared and then we wandered through the darkened store by flashlight, searching for intriguing tomes. The migraine kicked in about halfway through the event so the ride home was pure misery, but once I emerged from the seventh level of hell, I had a bag full of books to read:

    harvard bookbagbook haul

    Have you read any of these books? If so, let me know what you thought.