Bookshelf: July – Sept. 2022
What book will I start in October? I haven't decided yet, but for now, here are the last quarter’s selections and a few thoughts.
Letting Go and Looking Forward
Dr. Silviana Falcon is an associate business professor at Florida Southern College, who was last year named the ODK Professor of the Year. In 2021, she published her first book, titled “Lectures and Play: A Practical and Fun Guide to Create Extraordinary Higher Education Classroom Experiences.”
Of newspapers and neighbors…
Newspapers can make good neighbors, or something like that. My neighbors use my old print newspapers to line their bird cage. Seriously.
Reflections on a Road Trip….and a Beautiful Wedding
When I told people we were driving to Chicago, they were incredulous. Why drive such a helluva long way? It was about family.
Bookshelf: April – June 2022
Looking for something to read this summer? These were my book choices – and some commentary – from the last quarter. Some are new releases; others not so new. (You can find 1st quarter book summaries here.)
Not Again. Still.
So is it possible to find common ground? Can we agree that reducing the need for abortion would benefit everyone? Fewer unwanted pregnancies, fewer abortions, fewer risks to women, as well as healthy, deeply desired children born to women able to care for them.
Bookshelf: Jan – March 2022
My new year typically starts with a nice selection of books/Christmas gifts waiting to be read. 2022 was no exception, and I collected a nice variety of styles. (You may recall that 2021 started with a common theme of life do-overs.) Amanda Gorman’s poetry signaled a perfect place to start.
When the words rage
When the words rage, I can only write. Yes, I rage, I protest, I vote. And I have hope.
Bookshelf: Oct – Dec. 2021
For the final months of 2021, I read a wide assortment of books -- from non-fiction investigations to mystery thrillers to escapist fiction. Christmas brought some eagerly awaited books to start the new year, but the following wrap up the 55 books I read in 2021.
My Mother’s Dishes
I was raised believing china dinnerware was used only for special occasions, which meant Thanksgiving and Christmas. (Crystal wasn’t an issue because Mom didn’t have any and didn’t drink.) A set of silver flatware from my Smith grandparents was also safely stored and rarely seen.
Bookshelf July – Sept 2021
Another quarter of this crazy year is over. I managed to get in a fair amount of good reading, so enjoy my list if you're looking for a new read.
That Time I Got a Tattoo
The decision was made. I had thought about it, picked a design that was meaningful to me. Then I waited. Waited to be sure. Waited for an artist reference. Waited for my friend to return. And when it happened, it happened fast. He asked “today?” and I said “okay.”
Women Mentoring Women
Reading the novel, The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer really sent me down a path of thinking about women, work, mentors, and how we grow each other. Didn’t hurt that it flooded me with memories of my early feminism in the 70’s.
The Comfort of Familiarity
My second stint in the mountains feels different than I expected. While I miss the awe and wonder and the newness of my first trip, I’ve discovered a familiarity that is deeply comforting. Everything feels less intimidating, including myself. I am a year older, and so are the trees. I am a year wiser, the trees are as wise as they’ve always been.
One Week at a Time
Most weeks (and days) are a mix of emotions and energy, some good and some not so good. Just another week on the calendar. We tend to expect so much, but even the detours may look like yellow brick roads in the rearview mirror.
Bookshelf: April-June 2021
A full year into the pandemic found my book stack dwindling, just in time for new birthday and Mother’s Day books, plus a few bargains from the overstock shelves. What have you been reading?
Memories of Mary
Losing a friend, a contemporary, is not something I want to get used to, but as I get older I see more warning signs. My own health isn’t exactly ideal, and friends struggle with a variety of ailments. I certainly don’t dwell on it, but I want to embrace the lessons.
something sweet
forgive me if my words have dried up at my lips;
Bookshelf: Jan – March, 2021
January in my house means new Christmas books to read! I won’t get into the carefully curated gift lists Rebecca and I devise for holidays, but it works. The one thing I didn’t notice about my Christmas 2020 list until I gazed upon all the new books together is the common theme of do-overs, life regrets, and life and death overall. If you’ve been following along, you know I am drawn to heavier topics, so this theme fits right in.
Vexed by Trendy Trauma
Earlier this week my oldest daughter, a psychology major at USF, shared a social media post with me – a square with the word “trauma” on it multiple times with a caption defining trauma in an unfamiliar and slightly disturbing way. She was curious about my thoughts, which sparked my own curiosity about my thoughts, which sparked multiple conversations with multiple kids and even more thoughts. Apparently trauma is trending.
Mental illness is not a definition
Sometimes the universe pokes at me until I acknowledge her messages. Recently, the universe has hinted that I need to tell my story about mental health. My family’s story brought me to this place but sharing it is harder.
Just Start
Why am I such a slow starter at many things? The longer this quarantine goes on, the less discipline I seem to muster for anything other than occasional work projects. I’m hoping to be more consistent about writing for this blog site in the coming year.
Daniel and Lee
I’m crushing on Daniel Levy (Schitt's Creek). He is beautiful, sensitive, smart, funny, out and proud. And damn, Daniel reminds me of my friend Lee, both in looks and style. Only Lee was my best friend more than 40 years ago.
A Grateful Farewell, 2020
While 2020 provided ample opportunities for working, meaningful conversations, and great memory making with my kids, there were a few unexpected lessons along the way – and it all ended up being quite an adventure in balance, acceptance, and grace.