currently

I am...

Reading: Starting Get a Life, Chloe Brown

Listening to: Good Day Sunshine

Loving: I soaked up some Vitamin D at lunchtime for about half an hour, luckily, I had wind-blocking shrubs on either side

Thinking: about nothing and everything

Feeling: like I'm on the verge of something, but I don't know what--do I need a nap? a snack?

Celebrating: the spider on the ceiling is moving away from me--I should probably rid the world of it, but I hate to do that

Grateful for: I've had some real lymphedema struggles lately but my OT called me today to touch base and offer to have a video consultation with me and that makes me feel better--I'm so grateful she was able to reach out

Weather: currently 45 degrees with a "real feel" of 37

Enjoying: I have a new work-from-home schedule and I'm rather liking it!

A quote I want to share:

finished reading

I've read the controversy surrounding this novel. I understand why this has stirred up such polarized views. I don't know if I would have read this without all the hype. And it's difficult to separate my thoughts about the book from the brouhaha. As a work of fiction, it is exactly that: fiction. If the author had tried to depict any of the secondary characters as more than stereotypes, the book would have been bogged down and would not have been the fast-paced read that it is. Knowing it's a work of fiction and not an expose, I was more forgiving and accepting and less critical.

From the publisher:

Lydia Quixano Pérez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable.

Even though she knows they’ll never sell, Lydia stocks some of her all-time favorite books in her store. And then one day a man enters the shop to browse and comes up to the register with a few books he would like to buy—two of them her favorites. Javier is erudite. He is charming. And, unbeknownst to Lydia, he is the jefe of the newest drug cartel that has gruesomely taken over the city. When Lydia’s husband’s tell-all profile of Javier is published, none of their lives will ever be the same.

Forced to flee, Lydia and eight-year-old Luca soon find themselves miles and worlds away from their comfortable middle-class existence. Instantly transformed into migrants, Lydia and Luca ride la bestia—trains that make their way north toward the United States, which is the only place Javier’s reach doesn’t extend. As they join the countless people trying to reach el norte, Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to?

self-care sunday

Author Marian Keyes

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Gratitude

1. Name a highlight of your day. sleeping in very, extravagantly, luxuriously late

2. What made you smile today? sleeping in very, extravagantly, luxuriously late

3. What made you laugh today? my sisters' reactions to my sleeping in very, extravagantly, luxuriously late

4. Recall a time when you needed encouragement. Thursday--I had a real lymphedema struggle day. And I'm still having repercussions from it.

5. What is a luxury you are thankful for? insurance

6. Favorite childhood memory. filling my wagon with my favorite stuffed animals and walking to the public library

7. Favorite song–and why? One by U2; because there are many, many reasons

8. Where is your favorite place? Why? Ireland, because it felt like home

9. What is your favorite scent? Sandalwood

10. What is your favorite topic to talk about? books

11. What do you like doing so much that you lose track of time? read--followed closely by knitting while listening to audiobooks

12. If you had 5 minutes and the whole world was forced to listen, what would you say? "Stay The Fuck At Home" - A Poetry reading by Samuel L. Jackson: not my usual blog fare but it's seriously what I would say!

13. Whose life do you envy the most, and why? I don't

14. What would you different with your education if you got a chance to start over? hmmm--I can't think of anything

15. What would you do with your life if you had no fear? I don't know--handle snakes? I can't think of anything fear prevents me from doing.

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

Could've Been

1) This wistful song is about a love affair that ended. What song reminds you of a long-ago love? believe it or not, Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up! I have so many fond memories of this whole love experience that when "Rick Rolling" was popular I absolutely loved it!

2) It was written by Lois Blaisch, a singer-songwriter who performs at clubs around Los Angeles and has sung outdoors at Disneyland. Would you prefer to attend a concert indoors, or outside under the stars? depends on the weather--but I would generally enjoy an outdoor concert

3) This week's featured artist, Tiffany, appeared on the TV talent show Star Search when she was just 14. She came in second. Though she was disappointed, she admits she learned from it. She studied the singer who won and says it made her a better performer. Can you recall a time when you weathered a tough time and came through stronger? oh yes--before I got this teaching job, I was rejected over and over from another school district and had generally given up--then I got my current job and have never been more fulfilled!

4) Early in her career, she toured Alaska, opening for country legend George Jones. Have you ever visited our 49th state? (That's a correction; I made a mistake when I originally posted.) I have not been, but I would love to take an Alaskan cruise

5) Tiffany provided the voice of Judy Jetson in 1990's Jetsons: The Movie. Which cartoon did you enjoy more: the space-age Jetsons or the pre-historic Flintstones? I confess I loved them both!

6) In 2007, she appeared on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club and lost 28 lbs. Are you making an effort to stay fit during this stay-at-home period? not so much, although I'm trying to eat fruits and veggies every day

7) In 1987, when this song was popular, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What's your favorite Aretha song? I really, really love her so picking a favorite is hard. Today, I'm going to go with Think

8) Also in 1987, third-generation race car driver Marco Andretti was born. Are you a race fan? I've never seen a race

9) Random question: Do you find it easy to sit still, or are you fidgety? hmmm... I guess I find it easy to sit still

the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.

I'm reading American Dirt.

Only one thing is clear: Javier knows where they are. She doesn't have time to panic or reflect. She has to get Luca out of there. Now. They have to run.

three on thursday

Click here to join in

Thing one: I've solidified some connections with my students. We've been exchanging emails and I'm glad they are able to keep connected.

Thing two: The local grocery store (that I worked at for nine years) is truly leading the community in how to innovate during this time of the pandemic. I got to talk to the owner today and thanked him for how he's protecting the community but keeping vital services going.

Thing three: Today has flown by! Plus, I was happily reminded that it is, in fact, Thursday and not actually Tuesday. So this week has flown by as well.

finished reading

I love historical fiction set during the American Revolutionary period. This book didn't disappoint. The home life and struggles were richly depicted. It was a little slow in the middle, but picked up in action again and kept me interested.

From the publisher:

On a dark night in 1775, Lizzie Boylston is awakened by the sound of cannons. From a hill south of Boston, she watches as fires burn in Charlestown, in a battle that she soon discovers has claimed her husband’s life.

Alone in a new town, Lizzie grieves privately but takes comfort in her deepening friendship with Abigail Adams. Soon, word spreads of Lizzie’s extraordinary midwifery and healing skills, and she begins to channel her grief into caring for those who need her. But when two traveling patriots are poisoned, Lizzie finds herself with far more complicated matters on her hands—she suspects a political plot intended to harm Abigail and her family. Determined to uncover the truth, Lizzie becomes entangled in a conspiracy that could not only destroy her livelihood—and her chance at finding love again—but also lead to the downfall of a new nation.

wordless wednesday

ten things tuesday

Ten words:

Things are really weird. I don't know what to say.

march 31

Click here for the prompts

If you were granted a wish, what would you wish for and why?

In this topsy-turvy current world, I would wish for peace. Peace in my heart, in others' hearts, for my community, for my state, for my nation, and for the world community.