The last few days of May I thought it was June and these first few days of June I keep thinking it’s May. What a strange and wonderful time of year.
Some updates
Tomorrow one of our kiddos graduates from PreK, which is hitting me in a weird way, because I learned we were expecting him just about the time my oldest (now middle-schooler) graduated from kindergarten. To be in that same room tomorrow with this not-so-little guy smiling from the risers is going to be beautifully surreal.
Switching into summer mode means switching schedules, finding a new rhythm, and I hope for both my kids and me, learning new things, digging more deeply into the things we love, and God willing, minimal sunburn.
Here’s to sand, sun, and being at the lake between two and three (when the ice cream truck comes!).
What I’m reading
I was reading The Dry Wood by Caryll Houselander (her only novel) until a can of seltzer split (you read that right: not spilt, split, as in right up the center of the can) in my bag and ironically soaked my book. I freaked out some, but found a website with librarians’ tips on how to salvage a wet book. It’s finally dry and I’m ready to jump back in. Except that…
I’ve been reading Original Prin by Randy Boyagoda to prepare for my residency and I can’t put it down. I didn’t think I’d be this into a kind of dark satire, but so much of it hits home. I think in the past, I’ve read satires that were written in a time about which I didn’t have enough historical context. But I’m living in this moment and so much of it is spot on.
What my kids are reading
My oldest is reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park in class. It’s short and looked quick, so I got a copy from the library to read alongside him. Oh my. A powerful, beautifully written, moving story of Sudan in 1985 and 2008. I’ve long wanted to read A Single Shard by the same author, and I think that will be my pick on our next library visit.
Something I love
This time, the thing is just being a parent. Today I’m taking my daughter for her first Taylor-ham-egg-and-cheese bagel, which is like a New Jersey childhood milestone (pushed off when you live in a house with dairy and egg allergies). Especially at this time of year, when one academic year comes to an end and I have to start getting used to saying my kids are all a grade older, it just blows my mind that I get the joy of watching these five people (and their classmates) grow up.
What I’m creating (knitting, lettering, embroidery, etc.)
I haven’t been knitting or stitching at all, but I did make this yummy blueberry cornmeal tart for dessert with friends last weekend. Big hit all around.
Where my work is
Noelle Mering at Theology of Home was kind enough (and excited to) share an excerpt of The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction on her blog. It’s so encouraging to have someone receive the manuscript and then respond as quickly as she did that yes, this is needed, and yes, she wants to help get the word out.
An essay I wrote for my last class (well, an abridged version) was published on the Word on Fire blog. I compare popular interest in the Avengers multiverse to intertextuality in the work of Tolkien, Lewis, and Chesterton. Never have I gotten so many emails and comments (good! Thank God, all good!) on a piece.
What I’m working on
Despite (because of?) the busy season we’re in, I’ve had a burst of creativity that has led to a couple of essays in progress, and yet little forward motion on the pages I need to submit for a summer class. My list of works in progress is long, but I’m seeing it as a blessing rather than a cause of stress (this is new to me). If you’re reading this and have your own WIPs, I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
A quote to sit and sip with
The first Mass reading today is the same as the one John and I had proclaimed at our wedding, so it seems fitting to leave a bit of it here:
"Blessed are you, O God of our fathers,
praised be your name forever and ever.
Let the heavens and all your creation
praise you forever.
You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve
to be his help and support;
and from these two the human race descended.
You said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone;
let us make him a partner like himself.'
Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine
not because of lust,
but for a noble purpose.
Call down your mercy on me and on her,
and allow us to live together to a happy old age."Tobit 8:5-7
I just added Original Prin to my list-that book looks fabulous. I also just added the blueberry tart recipe to my "to make" list, because it also looks fabulous ;)
It's wonderful that you have several things you are working on. I personally enjoy having multiple projects going at once, so that when I'm letting one project rest for a few weeks or so, I can move to another (I'm currently beginning a full rewrite on a nonfiction book and on the side am beginning work on a different nonfiction book project; occasionally I jot down ideas for future fiction pieces as well). I hope your projects go well!
I haven’t read Original Prin, but jumped straight to Dante’s Indiana (you’re a much better student than I am). It reminds me a lot of Walker Percy.