Short Update

Regular articles will be back soon. Today's life update is that we took an interesting tour of the Pentagon. Then I got fillings at the dentist. My inlaws seem to be enjoying themselves. Church will be virtual tomorrow because of the snow. I went to the Pentagon in my wheelchair because there's no way I … Continue reading Short Update

Hospital, Book, Feminine Literature

Evidently I am probably on too many medicines. I ended up in the ER last night because of double vision and tremors. They referred me to neurology, but they think it is my medicines. So now my doctor is pulling me off one of them. I have been reading A Jury of Her Peers. Fascinating … Continue reading Hospital, Book, Feminine Literature

Ghettoization of Genre Fiction

What's the difference between horror and gothic fiction? Not much. Gothic literature is horror approved by the establishment. As a horror reader, I think this false demarcation between horror and literature is unfair. Nothing I'm saying here is groundbreaking. But I've been reading more horror again, and I'm struck by how masterful some of the … Continue reading Ghettoization of Genre Fiction

2024 to 2025

My overarching goal for 2024 was to embrace radical softness and express my femininity. I think I mostly did that. I want to wear makeup when I'm depressed more, but I don't want to wear it all the time because my husband likes my face bare. He doesn't hate makeup, but he doesn't "get" it … Continue reading 2024 to 2025

Small Updates

I'm working on a Christmas poem to share with my church this Sunday. I initially bowed out of contributing one because I'm anxious, and honestly, I don't love public speaking like I used to. I've gotten quieter. But the pastor's wife has kindly offered that they could print it in the program or someone else … Continue reading Small Updates

Ambition

I used to be a very ambitious person, but now I don't really have any ambition. This has allowed me to embrace my life as is and enjoy the moment. I'm not always looking over the horizon to the next thing. Peace has become my default mode. I used to want to be published and … Continue reading Ambition

Writing

This has been a wonderful evening of writing. I've produced several poems. Of course, they all need various levels of revision. But some have potential! I've been reading and writing since I got home from lunch. We went to Mission BBQ today for Veterans Day. I'm so grateful to all who serve. The table for … Continue reading Writing

First Day of my MFA

Today is day one of my MFA, and I must say that despite some depression today, I have enjoyed it. I am rereading a favorite poetry anthology. Starting with books I own still leaves me with a ton of inspiring material. This book is special to me because I bought it in college when the … Continue reading First Day of my MFA

Lovely Day

Today we went into the city to go to an art museum dedicated to what is traditionally seen as craft or woman's work. It was fascinating! There were some really deep, beautiful things there, and I got some nice photos. We went out to lunch after the museum, then went back to town and grabbed … Continue reading Lovely Day

How to Be a Writer, an Artist, a Composer, a Dancer etc

Some of what I see in the writer sphere online and the art sphere too is really weird to me. There are articles and books that are titled "I wrote every day for a year. Here's what I learned." Or "I painted every day for a month. Is it beneficial?" Creative things should be done … Continue reading How to Be a Writer, an Artist, a Composer, a Dancer etc