Taking breaks on Concordia’s campus is a delight these days when the sun shines and the campus is quiet.
Getting ready to teach my Critique Course. We are reading Mary Karr’s Lit for our common text. It’s been about a decade since I’ve read it, and I’m so glad I made some comments in the margins back in 2012. It was my first semester of graduate school, and I thought I had no clue what I was doing, but I read these comments now and I think, “Girl, you were GOOD.” I know I wouldn’t have noticed these things if it weren’t for old Callie pointing it out, even though she was so very shy about it. I’m glad she kept trying.
I am back being able to walk Corby. After my fall, I was unable to hold a leash because I’d wounded my palms, but they’ve scarred and all is well now, so Corby and I headed out for a morning walk – my favorite way to start my writing day. The problem I ran into was one of our neighbors who I’m sure is a nice guy is also a total donkey, because he refuses to put his dog on a leash. This is a terrible situation for Corby to be in, and I promise it will not end well, so I had to turn around when ol’ Fluffy McFlufferson came bouncing down the street all happy and alive.
Corby and I, we found another route and while I am allergic to changing my plans, my flexibility was rewarded with the sighting of a fairy door I’d not seen before. They live only about a block from our house, and I was delighted by the surprise. There is no moral to this anecdote except to say that there are so many donkeys in the world. Change your route if you need to, but keep walking. There’s plenty of room in the world for you and your imagination.
I’m on my second Bullet Journal. I read The Bullet Journal Method at the recommendation of a friend in December, started one, and loved it. I filled up my first one at the end of May, so prepped my second one – Bullet Journal 002 – this week. This DIY planning makes me so happy. Here is my habit tracker page. Every day I want to exercise, make a list from Marilyn McEntyre’s Make a List book, read a poem, read, and do something artistic. I don’t accomplish all of these things every day, but keeping track of them (in other words, coloring in circles when I’ve done them) is incredibly satisfying.
I am almost to the end of the Emily books, and I’m very sad about it. She is my literary BFF, and I’m not sure I’ll know what to do when the story ends. I put up a favorite quote of mine in my writing room so I can remember the call to make beautiful things even if and when we are lost.
Read
- “We Don’t Check Our Phones,” and “High Hopes” – Dave Malone, Tornado Drill
- Lit – Mary Karr, pgs. 120-142
- Coffee + Crumbs’ Summer Collection (always honored to have a spot for my stories at C+C).
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