I just realized it’s Friday the 13th. There are only two Friday the 13ths this year—the next one is October 13, right in the middle of spooky season. I’m not a terribly superstitious person so this date doesn’t mean much to me, but it’s still fun to acknowledge it. Okay, on to the roundup!
Quote of the week:
“Forever is composed of nows.” –Emily Dickinson
What I’m reading:
Brood by Jackie Polzin. It is a delightful little book and I’m enjoying it immensely.
What I’m listening to:
Imposter by Bradeigh Godfrey. I kept hearing about this book and then saw an Audible deal for it, so I went for it. It’s definitely engaging.
What I’m watching:
I’m a few episodes into Fleishman Is In Trouble on Hulu. I didn’t love the book, but I can’t remember why. Ha. The series is pretty good so far. I also watched the first half of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix. I plan to finish it today. Kind of cheesy, but fun.
Writing news:
I submitted to my very first poetry contest. I don’t expect anything to come of it, but I liked having a deadline to work toward. As for my latest manuscript, I’m still waiting on feedback from my V.I.R (Very Important Reader).
Interesting things I learned this week:
- The Treasury Dept says the U.S. will reach the debt limit on January 19… then what?
- The Missouri House of Representatives tightened its dress code for women, deciding they must cover their arms by wearing a jacket. Uhhh…wtf?
- The House GOP will have more men named Mike than women chairing committees
- The latest government data shows that 2022 was the second best year on record in terms of raw job growth (behind only 2021)
- The first successful open heart surgery in America was performed in 1893 by a Black surgeon, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
- A 9-year-old in Maryland found a 15-million-year-old megalodon shark tooth
- California has banned animal fur products
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the first vaccine for honeybees
- Supposedly, Picasso never said “no” to his kids (I find this very hard to believe)
- Gas stoves have been shown to cause health problems and there is talk of a federal ban
- Chickens eat small rocks as they forage. The rocks help aid their digestion
Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Gorilla cereal.” I needed to find an image of the cereal my daughter likes to send to her dad. All I could remember is that there’s a gorilla on the box. It’s this one.
What I’m grateful for:
- Adding more yoga to my life. I’ve been aiming to do an in-person class once a week. I prefer gentle flows or restorative/yin yoga these days. It’s like a massage for my body
- Book club! I’ve been passively interested in finding a local book club for a couple years now and was invited to one last night. It was so fun! We discussed Verity and it was a riotous discussion
- A race on the calendar. I signed up for a February half marathon. I’ll be spending the night before at an Airstream hotel to add to the fun
- All quiet on the winter virus front (for now). I probably just jinxed it
- A visit with my dear friend tomorrow! She is in town (from Africa!) and staying with me over the weekend. I can’t wait!
Snapshots:
