Here we are in November! That means it’s voting time. Please get out there on November 8!
Quote of the week:
“Reading has been my favorite thing to do since I learned how to do it. As long as I can read, I can unlock the secrets of the world. It’s my best superpower.” –Ruth Ann Harnisch
What I’m reading:
I’ve got a couple books going–The Position by Meg Wolitzer and Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg.
What I’m listening to:
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen.
What I’m watching:
Nothing. It’s been one of the busiest work weeks I’ve had in a long time so I haven’t had the energy to stay up and watch a show.
Writing news:
Cherry Blossoms, my second novel, turned 3! There’s a great team working to get this one to the big screen—will keep you posted on developments!
What I’m talking about:
THE MIDTERMS! This is a big one. I’m rooting for democracy. VOTE VOTE VOTE.
Interesting things I learned this week:
- Only queen ants lay eggs (up to 1,000 a day!)
- New Zealand has more cats per capita than any other country (another reason why I’m a fan)
- In 1971, 80% of third graders walked to school alone. By 1990, only 7% did
- The CDC predicts that by 2040, white people will no longer be the majority demographic
- In the US, 58% of companies offer some maternity leave, but only 6% offer fully paid leave
- In 1940, the median home price in the US was $2,938
- Wages increased 21% from 1990 to 2017, but the cost of living increased 67%
- More than 50% of the US workforce will be freelance within the decade, according to the annual “Freelancing in America” report
- In 75% of the TV programs shown during hours when children are most likely to be watching, the hero either kills people or beats them up
Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Birds that can’t fly.” There are over 57 avian species that can’t fly! They became flightless through evolution.
What I’m grateful for:
- I am currently healthy! I’m pretty sure RSV went through our house (and that turned into an ear infection for me), then I felt like I was getting another cold, but it passed. I’m sure something else is coming soon so just grateful to feel good now
- I’m running a half marathon on Sunday! I wasn’t sure whether I would do this race or not considering some setbacks with illness lately, but all systems are go right now
- A fun Halloween! My daughter wanted to be “a police” (her words) so her dad and me dressed up as burglars. Our neighborhood gets into it and it’s such a great night
- The little pup below. I’m taking her to the vet next week to double-check that she doesn’t have a microchip, then the adoption will be official. The cats are not super thrilled about her, but they seem to have arrived at the acceptance stage. Our senior dog is a fan
A few snapshots:
We’ve had some beautiful sunrises and sunsets lately, so I’ll leave you with a few of those.
