ten things tuesday

Ten Things I Want to Try This Fall 

1)  I want to work on meal planning so that I have more than a vague idea of what's for dinner every night. I save a lot of recipes, but don't get around to making them.

2)  My niece and I are going to try to share either the book or the movie Practical Magic sometime this fall.  

3)  I should start weaning myself off of daily Dunks iced coffee and make my own.  My iced coffee maker works fine; I've figured out the right formula for great coffee. I just need to do it!

4)  It's time to find some boots.  I've discovered a couple of websites that look promising.  I want Chelsea boots.  Is that too much to ask for?  (Lymphedema be damned!)

5)  I would like to go on a foliage train ride.

6)  I would like to go to a concert.  There's one coming up--a tribute to Fleetwood Mac.

7)  I want to knit myself a new hat.  Really get back into the knitting I love and miss.

8)  I will make a fall playlist to capture the vibe of autumn.

9)  I will develop my daily meditation routine by trying a new technique.

10)  I'm going to try a pumpkin recipe!  Probably pumpkin bread or pumpkin cookies, although I have a pumpkin coffee cake that I remember from years ago.

currently

I am...

Reading:  I'm going to start The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce this evening

Listening to:  nothing

Thinking:  I downloaded an app called Gratitude Plus, and it's helping me stay mindful in my daily gratitude practice.

Feeling:  tired--it was a long day but a good day

Celebrating:  I did some good work today--had some interesting conversations with one of my sociology classes about earning respect versus demanding it.

Grateful for: my department colleagues.  As much as they frustrate me, we can do good work together.

Enjoying: my dinner this evening was yummy and easy.

Weather:  66° and sunny

A quote I want to share:

finished reading

This compelling book left me with a mix of dread and resilience. The story is driven by a unique structure: three separate narrative threads follow the possible lives of a son, each based on one of the three names his Irish mother, Cora, might have given him--Bear, Julian, or Gordon. The chapters alternate between these three names, exploring how each name influences the family dynamic, from everyday moments to acts of shocking violence.

The brutal reality of domestic violence within the story filled me with dread, making me anxious about each shift in perspective. The lasting impact of this abuse on the family is felt for years. Yet, the novel's hopefulness serves as a powerful counterbalance. Watching the family's lives intertwine and evolve across the three threads was an absorbing experience. 

The audio narration is exceptionally well done.

From the publisher:

In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son's birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor, respected in the community but a terrifying and controlling presence at home, intends for her to name the infant after him. But when the registrar asks what she'd like to call the child, Cora hesitates...

Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of Cora's and her young son's lives, shaped by her choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing.

With exceptional sensitivity and depth, Knapp draws us into the story of one family, told through a prism of what-ifs, causing us to consider the "one . . . precious life" we are given. The book’s brilliantly imaginative structure, propulsive storytelling, and emotional, gut-wrenching power are certain to make The Names a modern classic.

sunday stealing

 

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A Wednesday Meme On A Sunday

1. Name five songs that you have completely memorized. "You May Be Right" by Billy Joel; "Mysterious Ways" by U2; "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis; "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac; "Everyday Is A Winding Road" by Sheryl Crow

2. What takes up too much of your time? social media--specifically Facebook and Instagram

3. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch? shows with excessive gore or torture

4. What's worth spending more on to get the best? food

5. Share something you did last week. bill paying

postsecret

 

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

saturday 9

A Little In Love

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) Do you believe you can be a little in love? Or is romance an all-or-nothing proposition for you? there are stages, for me, and I can be a little in love

 

2) Cliff Richard sings that he knows it's been a long time since you had fun. Is that true? When have you recently had a really good time? What were you doing? believe it or not, I had fun at school yesterday--I showed a clip from the movie Elf to my sociology classes when talking about social norms and they were really into it.

 

3) Cliff was born in India when it was still part of the UK. When he was 8, his family relocated to Tilbury, an English port town. Have you ever lived near the sea? no

 

4) In 1958, Cliff became a star in England. He was so influential that young John Lennon said he dreamed someday the Beatles would be as big as Cliff Richard. Yet for some reason, he was never as popular here in the US. Before today, had you ever heard of Cliff Richard? his name rang a bell and I remember this song

 

5) 1980 was Cliff's most successful year stateside. Both "A Little in Love" and his duet with Olivia Newton-John, "Suddenly," made the Top 10. Do you have a favorite Olivia Newton-John song? no, I don't think I have a favorite

 

6) Cliff was once "a little in love" himself. He had a high-profile romance with British pro tennis player Sue Barker. They contemplated marriage, but in his memoir Cliff admitted he wasn't ready to commit the rest of his life to her. Cliff never married but Sue went on to wed landscape gardener Lance Tankard. Have you ever employed a gardener? Or do you handle all the yard work yourself?  no garden... besides, I have the Thumb of Death and kill all plants

 

7) In 1980, when we were enjoying "A Little in Love" on the radio, Macaulay Culkin was born. He became famous for the Home Alone franchise. Have you seen any Home Alone movies? I have seen the first one

 
8) 1980 also gave us the Post-It Note. Today they are available in a variety of sizes and colors, but the original 4"x4" canary yellow Post-Its are still the best seller. Would we find Post-Its in your home or office right now? oh hell yeah!  I LOVE post-its!  They reside here at home and at school

 

9) Random question – You're having a crummy day. Nothing is going right. You run into a casual friend in the grocery store aisle. As you chat, do you think your mood would be obvious? Or could you successfully put on a happy face? a casual friend would not suspect a thing was amiss

three on thursday

 

Thing 1: the world is weighing heavily on my heart this week--a school shooting, the death of a political activist, and the 9/11 memorial.

Thing 2: today, I bonded with some students.  It invigorates me to know that students respond to me.

Thing 3: my weekend plans have done a 180 and now I find myself wide open!  I want to see Downton Abbey at the matinee. 

ten things tuesday

Ten random things:

1)  I've been tweaking some of my lesson plans using ChatGPT with the prompt "make this more dynamic for high school (fill in the blank) class."  Rephrasing the directions helps.

2)  I am disappointed that my students rush to finish assignments instead of thinking about them and reflecting.  They don't care if the work is sloppy.

3)  I need to adjust my budget.  I've been overstretched and there's no need for it.

4)  I am very excited for my "away" sisters to be home.  My Virginia sister's daughters will also be here!  I know the time will fly.  I've been trying to think of some special activities, but in all honesty, I'll be at school all day and tend to get tired early.  My two personal days request was approved!

5)  Pampered Chef's Ice Cream maker is my favorite kitchen gadget.  Hands down.

6)  I need to rearrange the photos on my wall.

7)  This past full moon disrupted my sleep. Sunday was a very restless night.

8)  After wearing compression socks for fourteen hours, they bug my knees because they dig in.  I hate to complain because the results on my ankles are dramatic.

9)  I made plans to attend a Fleetwood Mac tribute band to kick off my birthday week.

10)  I set a reading goal of 100 books; I have read 102 books. I need to do another book recommendation post.

currently

 I am...

Reading:  I am not sure what I'm going to read next, although my life coach wants me to read the 5 Love Languages

Listening to:  the Fleetwood Mac playlist on Spotify

Thinking: about paying bills

Feeling:  relaxed--I had a massage after school today and I needed it!

Celebrating:  at my ophthalmologist's office this past Friday, I got to see a side-by-side scan of my eye from January and Friday:  even though I can't always notice it, there has been dramatic improvement!

Grateful for: an attitude of gratitude, especially for the little things

Enjoying:  I put some twinkle lights in a fall vase, and I'm enjoying the vibe

Weather:  58° and clear 

A quote I want to share: