it's officially ON!

wordless wednesday

 

currently

I am...

Reading:  well, re-reading The Lying Gane by Ruth Ware

Listening to:  nothing (and I love it)

Thinking:  I hope my printer hasn't died--it conked out in the middle of a substantial print job for school (no access to color printing at school, so I always have to do it at home)

Feeling:  happy

Celebrating:  I didn't dread returning to school--and my students were happy to see me and enthusiastic about the work we did

Grateful for: pre-vacation me writing very solid lesson plans for returning from vacation

Enjoying: my school bestie fed me with some pork loin, potatoes, and broccoli because she doesn't like leftovers

Weather:  69° and cloudy 

A quote I want to share:

sunday stealing

 

Click the icon to play along

Memememe--part 2

11. You can build a dream house anywhere in the world. Where would it be located? my sister and her husband and I are always joking that I will have a "granny pod" on their property in Virginia--so I would build a lovely tiny house in Virginia

12. Have you ever taken a photo in a photo booth? yes

13. What's your favorite kind of mustard (dijon, spicy brown, bright yellow)? bright yellow

14. What did you do on New Year's Eve? I don't remember

15. Did your parents ever share memories of their high school days? yes--well, my dad shared his high school years and my aunts shared mum's stories

16. What's the most famous thing to happen in your home town? the first successful trans-Atlantic hot air balloon ride was launched from my hometown

17. Did you ever have a MySpace page? indeed, I did

18. Will you eat a cookie today? nope

19. Who is the last person you spoke to – not texted with – on the phone? if a video call counts, then my teacher bestie

20. Do you play poker? not well

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.

finished reading

The characters in this novel are people I would like to be friends with.  They are real, flawed, quirky, and grow.  Plus, there's a bookstore.  The resolution satisfied me.  I still have unanswered questions, but overall, I am satisfied.  The audio narration is wonderful.

From the publisher:

In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure.

On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever.

Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness.

That is, until Jesse is found. He’s alive, and he’s been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves.

Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly?

Emma knows she has to listen to her heart. She’s just not sure what it’s saying.

saturday 9

The Entertainer (The Theme From The Sting)

Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

Chosen in memory of Robert Redford: Aug. 18, 1936 - Sept. 16, 2025

1) The Sting marked the second teaming of Robert Redford and Paul Newman. The two enjoyed almost 40 years of friendship. One passion they shared was sports cars. Newman raced Porsches professionally and Redford was deft behind the wheel of a classic Karmann Ghia convertible. Think about one of your longest friendships. What did you two first bond over? my bestie and I have been friends for over 40 years, and we became friends through forced proximity and familiarity--in our college years, we were active in the student government and the student activities board

2) During their first movie together – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Redford was late so often that Newman joked they should change the title to, "Waiting for Lefty." Do you have a friend who is perpetually tardy? Or are you that friend? my Virginia sister doesn't like to set times and considers them suggestions, whereas I consider them sacred oaths and am seldom late

 

3) Back in 1936, when Redford was born, baseball's Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown. Coincidentally, two members of his high school class of 1954 are represented in the Hall: Redford, with memorabilia from his baseball film, The Natural, and his teammate on the Van Nuys Wolves, Don Drysdale. "Big D" was inducted for his stellar Dodger pitching career. Have you recently spoken to, or corresponded with, one of your high school classmates? one of my classmates and I had a friendly Facebook exchange regarding teaching's ridiculous expectations versus reality

4) Redford admitted he had a few run ins with law enforcement during his teen years. He specifically recalled being picked up for breaking into the neighbors' back yard and swimming in their pool. Were you a mischievous kid? there were occasions when I was

5) Redford went on to CU Boulder. He confessed to being a distracted student and only lasted a year and a half. While not good in class, he was popular with his coworkers at his after school job, mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms at a restaurant called The Sink. The restaurant is still thriving, and Redford returned whenever he was in Boulder. He wore a Sink t-shirt during a national press conference in 2018 and when asked what The Sink was, he was happy to plug his former employer. Do you often wear graphic tees, decorated with a favorite band, restaurant logo, team mascot, vacation destination, etc.? my graphic tees are mostly book or gnome related

6) When he was a struggling New York actor, he and his wife lost their first child to crib death. Redford told AARP magazine that he blamed himself, and said it's a wound that never healed. Tell us about a time you felt guilty but shouldn't have. daily occurrences

7) Legendary costume designer Edith Head said she liked putting Redford in hats because they balanced his strong, square jaw. Do you take your figure flaws into consideration when you choose your clothes? yes, I try to balance out my body

8) Forever fit, Redford credited his physique on exercise and genes, not diet. He said, "Healthy food is good for the conscience, but Oreos taste a helluva lot better." What's the last cookie, candy or treat you indulged in? some homemade chocolate-peanut butter swirl ice cream (my Pampered Chef ice cream maker is my favorite kitchen gadget)

 
9) Random question: Do you prefer to bathe or shower first thing in the morning, after work, or before bed? in the morning

finished reading

This book is an absolute must-read for a book club, offering themes and elements ripe for discussion. At its core, the novel introduces an intriguing speculative premise: a carefully vetted process designed to offer grief relief by allowing those who have suffered tremendous loss to essentially sleep through their pain.

While the concept touches on heavy topics--including medical ethics, the complexities of grief and loss, and the role of social media in modern life--the book never feels weighed down. The novel centers on the journey of four main characters who are drawn together on their quest toward the Poppy Fields. It's in creating this found family that the book truly shines. Each character brings a poignant and unique experience of loss, estrangement, and hope, which humanizes the abstract themes. This focus on personal, character-driven storytelling is a major strength, setting it apart from other, often more clinical and distant, works of speculative fiction in the same vein (I'm thinking Never Let Me Go or The Memory Police).   

The audio is particularly well done.

From the publisher:

Welcome to the Poppy Fields, where there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal.

Here, in a remote stretch of the California desert, lies an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those suffering from the heartache of loss to sleep through their pain...and keep on sleeping. After patients awaken from this prolonged state of slumber, they will finally be healed. But only if they’re willing to accept the potential shadowy side effects.

On a journey to this mystical destination are four very different strangers and one little dog: Ava, a book illustrator; Ray, a fireman; Sasha, an occupational therapist; Sky, a free spirit; and a friendly pup named PJ. As they attempt to make their way from the Midwest all the way west to the Poppy Fields—where they hope to find Ellis, its brilliant, enigmatic founder—each of their past secrets and mysterious motivations threaten to derail their voyage.

A high-concept speculative novel about heartache, hope, and human resilience, The Poppy Fields explores the path of grief and healing, a journey at once profoundly universal and unique to every person, posing the questions: How do we heal in the wake of great loss? And how far are we willing to go in order to be healed?

finished reading

This book is a tough sell.  I liked it but didn't love it.  Maybe it was too grim.  The poverty, the neglect, and the abuse all shocked me--and perhaps turned me off to bigger themes in the story. It was somewhat far-fetched that a young woman in either of the timelines of the dual narratives would have been as forthright as both main characters were.  It is an atmospheric novel, and the sense of place is incredibly developed.  I felt the bone-aching cold.

Some of the tarot business was inaccurate and inconsistent, which was bothersome.  The storyline reliant on hypnosis was also a stretch.  Overall, I had to suspend belief and go along with the story.

From the publisher:

As spiritualism reaches its fevered pitch at the dawn of the 20th century, a Scottish girl crosses the veil to unlock a powerful connection within an infamous asylum in this thrillingly atmospheric, exquisitely evocative exploration of feminine rage and agency for readers of Sarah Penner, Alice Hoffman, and Hester Fox.

Leaving behind a quiet life of simple comforts, Nairna Liath traverses the Scottish countryside with her charlatan father, Tavish. From remote cottages to rural fairs, the duo scrapes by on paltry coins as Tavish orchestrates “encounters” with the departed, while Nairna interprets tarot cards for those willing to pay for what they wish to hear.

But beyond her father’s trickery, Nairna possesses a genuine gift for communicating with the spirit world, one that could get an impoverished country girl branded a witch. A talent inherited from her grandmother, Lottie Liath, widow of a Welsh coalminer, whose story of imprisonment and exploitation in a notorious asylum is calling out to Nairna from four decades past—a warning to break free from the manipulations, greed, and betrayals of others.

What do the cards hold for Nairna’s future?

Rescued from homelessness by a well-connected stranger, Nairna is whisked into a new life among Edinburgh’s elite Spiritualist circle, including visiting American star Dorothy Kellings. Researchers, doctors, psychics, and thrill-seekers clamor for the rising young medium. But after a séance with blood-chilling results, a shocking scandal ensues, and Nairna flees to a secluded community near Boston, where she assumes a new  Nora Grey.

But Nora can’t stay hidden when Dorothy Kellings offers her the chance to face all comers and silence skeptics at a spectacular séance at Boston’s Old South Meeting Hall, where Nora will come face to face at last with her spiritual guide: the courageous Lottie Liath, whose heart-wrenching story and profound messages are indelibly tied to Nora’s destiny.

three on thursday

 

Thing one:  I took myself on a date today: a trip to Central Maine, lunch at the Harvest Moon Deli, a little shopping, and the matinee of Downton Abbey!  The five hours of driving were well worth it.

Thing two:  I finally found a pair of wide-legged jeans that are the right wash:  not too dark, not too faded.

Thing three: I had a sizeable grocery delivery this evening.  I'm getting ready to do some batch cooking to stock the freezer with some easy meals.

currently

I am...

Reading:  The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey by Kathleen Kaufman

Listening to:  the Crowded House station on Amazon Music

Thinking:  maybe I'll head to Central Maine tomorrow to go to the movies--or maybe I'll go Thursday

Feeling:  relaxed

Celebrating:  staycation week!

Grateful for: so glad I got my lesson plans done last week--I think I'm ahead to Halloween!

Enjoying: I got a lot done today by puttering and not pressuring myself

Weather:  58° and cloudy at 11 o'clock tonight

A quote I want to share:

finished reading

This collection of personal essays written by people on the Autism spectrum was a revelation. The experiences gave me insight into the neurodivergent world and how it's navigated.  

From the publisher:

A moving and insightful anthology of personal essays by Irish autistic adults. Wired Our Own Way: An Anthology of Irish Autistic Voices is the first collection of personal essays written by autistic Irish adults.

One in twenty-seven Irish school children are now diagnosed as autistic, and autism is entering the general population’s consciousness much louder than it did in the past. As understanding about autism spreads, more and more adults are now finding out that they are autistic. This anthology shines a light on how important autism identification is, and how the label of ‘autism’ can enhance one's self-understanding and self-compassion.

Throughout this collection of essays, the writers highlight how the lived-experience of autism varies drastically from one autistic person to another, and show that there is no one way to be autistic. From meltdowns to mental health, from being diagnosed in early childhood to being diagnosed in late adulthood, from cultural perceptions of autism to employment, the essays explore the huge range of diversity within the autistic Irish experience.

sunday stealing

Click the icon to play along

Memememe--part 1

1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be?  well, I don't want a phone call, so there's that...

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? yes

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? listener--I can get a conversation going

4. Do you take compliments well? yes, but they make me uncomfortable

5. Do you play Sudoku or Wordle? both

6. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? not really

7. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? yes

8. Would you rather pursue or be pursued? depends on the situation

9. Have you ever fired a gun? a squirt gun, yes

10. Would you rather dine at Olive Garden or Panera? I go to Panera less often, so I'll go there

finished reading

I'm conflicted.  I wanted to love this book, but it's a "meh."  The four adult children of a world-renowned artist are left to cope with his sudden death, new marriage, and epic heat wave. I didn't connect with any of the characters--their immature and often petty sibling rivalry was a turn-off.  The setting, though, was captivating.

From the publisher:

World-famous artist Vic Kemp has relied on his four children ever since their mother died when they were young. Netta, the oldest, is a litigator who often serves as co-parent to her siblings; Susan, a housewife who cooks and cleans for both her husband and her father; Goose's own thwarted artistic ambitions have left him resigned to a job in Vic's studio; and Iris, the baby, drops everything the moment her father calls. 

When Vic summons the siblings with the promise of big news, they hope their father is about to tell them he has finished the mysterious masterpiece he claims will be the capstone to his career. Instead, he announces he’s getting remarried. Bella-Mae, his wife to be, is apparently beautiful, a fellow artist—and twenty-seven to his seventy-six years. When his children dare to express concern, Vic decamps with Bella-Mae to his summer home in Italy. Six weeks later, he is found dead. There is no sign of his will, or his promised final painting. 

Netta, Susan, Goose, and Iris gather at the house on Lake Orta to piece together what happened and prepare to bring their father’s body home. They spend the summer in a waiting game, living under the same roof as Bella-Mae, and forced to confront Vic's legacy and the buried wounds they have incurred as his children. So who is Bella-Mae? Is she the woman their father believed her to be? Or is she the force that will destroy the family for good? How long can their old bonds hold? 

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.