Weekly Roundup: October 25, 2024

Happy Friday! Today is my Dad’s birthday and I can’t believe it’s the fourth one we’re celebrating without him here with us. I have felt the heavy weight of grief all week, mixed with gratitude for my own birthday on Sunday and the joys of Halloween. Life is always full of so many different emotions. I’m doing my best to feel my way through them. Here’s the roundup.

Quote of the week:
“Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.” –Frida Kahlo

What I’m reading:
The Unseen World by Liz Moore. After loving Long Bright River and The God of the Woods, I decided to go back to one of her earlier works. I’m enjoying it.

What I’m listening to:
Mad Wife: A Memoir by Kate Hamilton. This is billed as the author’s personal story as well as a larger commentary on patriarchy and the institution of marriage. I am not seeing much of that larger commentary; it’s basically just the author’s story. It’s interesting, but I’ve had my fill of memoirs about terrible marriages.

What I’m watching:
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix. Disturbing and hard to watch at times; so compelling. I also watched Anna Kendrick’s latest movie, Woman on the Hour, about a lesser-known serial killer in 1970s Los Angeles. Very good.

Writing news:
I’ve turned in edits on my 2025 novel, Woman on the Verge, which is officially listed on bookseller sites! I’ve been reviewing promotional marketing copy this week and I should see cover designs soon. So exciting! I’m nearing the end of a first draft of my 2026 novel. Title TBD.

Interesting things I learned this week:
I feel like I learned nothing this week, sorry. I had a little stomach bug early in the week and have been so busy catching up on life. I think my brain has been at capacity.

What I’m grateful for:

• Halloween decorations. I love this time of year
• Approaching another birthday with health and happiness
• Pet cuddles. They came in clutch when I wasn’t feeling well this week
• Two years with the best little doggie, my Rosie

Snapshots:
From top to bottom: one of my favorite photos with my dad—forever birthday buddies; Halloween in the neighborhood; getting ready for “Trunk or Treat” at my daughter’s school; the best little doggie; sick day pet snuggles; gorgeous Fall morning.