In Which Order Unleashes Creativity

A little stability can lead to a lot of color--and a long post

We are in full summer swing, and I’m so grateful for it. I had been making mental plans for summer through most of the spring—things I wanted to do or try when life was less busy. Now they’re happening! I set myself a schedule of reading, exercise, and writing for the mornings, and so far mostly good. I’m making progress on my novel (thesis deadline is in January, which sounds farther away than it is), counteracting stiffness left over from the car accident, and starting the day feeling like I’ve accomplished something.

It’s much easier for me to roll with the punches (read: the whims of five children) in a day when I’ve already done a bunch of things that I consider important personally, spiritually, and professionally. Our days are freer than they are during the school year for sure, but a bit of order does us all good. Most days we go to Mass in the morning. Most days I try to make sure we have meals at the table instead of random grazing throughout the day. It wouldn’t be true to say most days we stick to bedtime, but we do often enough.

This summer, though, is also a wake-up call on how big these kids of ours are getting. The little guy isn’t a baby anymore. My oldest has a book of test prep for high school entrance exams. As much as they bicker, I can see that they do love being together; they love creating things, watching movies, sharing meals, being at the lake, finding adventure whether it’s in our yard or NYC. We’re doing lots of family stuff, and more and more I hope that the relationships we’re building with each other now will last beyond the time they’re within these walls. For some of them, that’s not very much longer. 

On the other hand, we had an engagement happen in our family recently, and we are all so thrilled for this couple. They are great people on their own and wonderful together. When I think of them, I can’t help but smile. Growing up isn’t all bittersweet! 

1. Some updates

The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction was awarded second place in its category in the Catholic Media Awards. OSV is offering 25% off this and other award-winning books (see them all here) with promo code WIN2024 at checkout. Offer expires on July 13.

I don’t have them to share yet, but I’ve seen nearly final art for my picture book, God’s Little Flowers, due out in the spring. The flowers throughout are so delightful, and I can’t wait for the world to see!

2. What I’m reading

I’ve resumed my practice of reading a canto of Dante’s Divine Comedy each day. Today I finished the Purgatorio, and then tomorrow I’m on to the Paradiso. I’m reading a different translation than that which I studied in my class last semester. There’s so much I’m not retaining or fully understanding, but that’s part of the joy of reading this work. Really, no matter how many times I read it, there will always be more to find. With each read, I’m learning and appreciating a little bit more. 

I just finished my first Wendell Berry novel, Hannah Coulter, and I’m kind of wondering why I didn’t start reading him sooner. So beautiful, so real and honest, and so much that caused me to reflect constructively on my life, even though I don’t have a farm or anything close to it. 

In a week, those of us in Well-Read Mom will receive the book list for the Year of the Father, which I’m really looking forward to. A friend at Wiseblood Books just sent me an advanced copy of the translation of Pinocchio we’ll be reading. That’s next up on my list, with the hope I’ll land a review somewhere online. Stay tuned!

3. What my kids are reading

I’ve chosen a book for each of my older three kids to read alongside me this summer. I thought I’d team up with one kid per week, but in practice, it seems to be better to let them go at their own paces. They read a ton, so I’m not concerned it’s not going to get done. I just need to make sure I keep up with them!

My oldest son is reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (something we’ve talked about before and I think he’s ready for).

My next oldest is reading The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (arguably my father-in-law’s favorite book, and one he references often).

My daughter is reading The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (which I loved as a kid but haven’t gone back to since!).

4. Something I love

John and I went to two weddings this spring, and he came up with a gift idea I got really excited about. For each couple, we chose a casserole pan or similar (from their registry, if they had one) and paired it with a copy of a cookbook that we love. We wrote a note inside the book and annotated the table of contents with notes on what we’ve made and loved.

I’m also really loving having older kids. The other day at the lake, my oldest and I had a long conversation about The Hunger Games, who’s Team Gale, who’s Teem Peeta, and why. We have running jokes. We lifted weights together yesterday morning. He’s a kid coming into his own, interested in his own things, but willing and wanting to bring me along with him. This kid—all these kids—are such a gift.

5. What I’m creating (knitting, lettering, embroidery, etc.)

I don’t know what sparked my interest in watercolor. It was probably Instagram. But wherever it came from, I’ve been enjoying trying to figure out how much water ought to on the brush, how much paint. Nothing I’ve made is fabulous, but I’m redeeming myself from an awful painting of pink lilies I did in art class senior year of high school. I still remember my teacher lamenting that it was probably beyond help. Took me twenty years, but I’m learning now!

My kids had a small music recital last month at our house. For after-program snacks, I made cookies to fit the theme. My hands were a couple different colors when I was finished, but the cookies were yummy!  

Another “finally”: I made another Wooble, this one Howard the Yeti, which has been waiting patiently for me to get to it for far too long. He’s not perfect, but no yeti is. When I made my first Wooble, a penguin, I accidentally finished it with the wrong side facing out. I think I get it now, and I think this one is okay! Meanwhile, my daughter is working on a narwhal.

6. Where my work is

I talked about summer routines with my kids on Relevant Radio: https://omny.fm/shows/morning-air/kid-summer-routines-americas-next-saint-sunday-gos?t=13m30s

Last month I shared a reflection on the book, The Family That Prays Together Stays Together, posted at CatholicMom.com. You can read that article here. If you think this book would be a help to yourself or someone you love, I encourage you to snag a copy at Ave Maria Press with a special coupon code just for friends and family of Catholic Mom writers! That code is FRPEYTON, and it’s good for 20% off The Family That Prays Together Stays Together now through December 31, 2024.

7. What I’m working on

I’ve been coloring in the square in my planner for each day I work on my thesis/novel for fifteen minutes, knowing that tracking things this way is an encouragement to me. (Read more about that here.) Huzzah!

This week, I hope to submit a paper proposal for an upcoming conference I’ve been looking forward to for a looong time.

I’m editing an important book for Catholic parents that I’ll share about when it’s farther along.

And I’m also hoping to finish up a sample chapter for a book proposal (also for Catholic parents, but with a different purpose) before I’m in your inbox again.

8. A quote to sit and sip with

   From those holiest waters I returned

   to her reborn, a tree renewed, in bloom

   with newborn foliage, immaculate,

   eager to rise, now ready for the stars.

   —Purgatorio, XXXIII, 142-145