Lil ball of paper...

30 March 2026: When I walked down the driveway to bring the recycling bin back to the garage, I saw a scrap of a piece of paper was left behind. I crumpled it up to throw it out, but the very gesture of crumpling up paper makes me think of Jo, whose favorite kind of toy remains balls of paper. 

I rolled it around in my hand, thinking, "She might really like this one..." Something about the littler size...

I put it in my pocket and headed to work, deciding to think about it. Not every piece of scrap paper makes the cut, after all. 

All day long when I reached into my pocket, I would feel it and think about Jo waiting at home.

Got home around 6:00, called her over, showed it to her, and watched her focus on it. (Shades of the way Wesley used to lock in on a toy when I held it up.)

I tossed it. She chirped and jumped off to chase it.

All evening long, she's been batting it around and bringing it to me. 

Just a minute ago, I picked it up and she ran to her favorite spot for me to throw them. (LOL at the Bob's Burgers' caption.)

She's just so silly, weird, pure, and fun. 

Donors and Scholars reception

29 March 2026: There's nothing quite like the Foundation's reception for donors of named funds and the scholars who benefit from those awards. I was asked to give some remarks, but the two students who went before me were a tough act to follow. I am extra emotional these days, but those kids moved me almost to tears. 

Best job in the world. 

Busy Saturday...

28 March 2026: Grading ENGL 407 Critical Essay Proposals at the end of a long Saturday. Grading all morning, NWP event in the afternoon, then--a treat!--dinner and a movie (They Will Kill You) with Amy, followed by housework and more grading...and I've got so much more on my plate for Sunday to even begin to feel caught up.

But the proposals are strong, reflections of my smart and creative students. And the day, while long, was pretty darn good. And I just watched the Yankees sweep the Giants in their opening series.

I'll take it.

She's back!

27 March 2026: It's been so busy that I almost didn't notice when my favorite tree started doing its thing. And then it was rainy most of today. Even in the rain, though, she's beautiful.

Incorrigible...

26 March 2026: Got herself locked in the pantry for 12 hours yesterday. Today? Jumped right back in and had to be coaxed out. Also worth noting that she's framed by about $100 worth of "sensitive stomach" food that she has to have...even though she's a trashcat. 

"Chloe and the Hare"

25 March 2026: Woke up pretty early this morning--awake enough that I (with some annoyance) thought, "Okay, let's get on with it" and got up. So, here I am at my desk on campus much earlier than usual--not a bad thing when I have a long to-do list. 

Maybe it's going to be a "get things done early" day? 

Exhibit B: getting my daily blog post in early, linking to this episode of This is Love, which will stay with me for a long time. Also had me thinking--like so many animal stories do--about my uncrackable nut of a cat, Veronica, who like the hare in this piece, keeps her distance but also somehow stays close.

"Amelia"

24 March 2026: A lot on my mind tonight at the end of a long day. Getting just a few more things done with one of my favorite Bob's Burgers episodes playing: "Amelia." Always soothes me and makes me smile.

 

Mantra practice...

23 March 2026: Yesterday as I was trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to fall asleep, I realized I could remember all the parts of my new mantra. A little bit funny, but also not really.

So...I need to do better about remembering it and (duh) practicing it.

Going to write it on a post-it that I move from day to day in the notebook that I am using for my daily lists right now. 

Relax, listen, retract, be humble, serve.

Soon...

22 March 2026: Looking up on my walk this morning...

Project Hail Mary

21 March 2026: What a fun and hopeful movie this was! It's also goofy, funny, and weird. 

Actually a pretty good day all around, all things considered. Had a really fun lunch date with Jeannie, then the movie and dinner with Amy. 

Couple of little guys...

20 March 2026: Definitely a lot of stuff on my mind today. Find myself drifting between feeling okay and overwhelmed with emotions (sadness, worry, anger). 

So, I finally decided to put together this little Lego set that Jane gave me for Christmas. (Or maybe my birthday? We exchanged both sets of gifts in January...) 

I was saving it for a reward for myself (I know, I know...) but figured the time was right.

Super fun. Super cute little guys. They make me smile. 

Will maybe take them to my office on campus. 

Hopelessly devoted to Jo...

19 March 2026: In another rough period, anxious about a loved one's health, but I think I am doing a bit better this evening. 

My evidence?

Well, I did find myself dancing in the kitchen with Jo to this number, on my mind since the Hit Parade episode I mentioned in this post. This little cat remains very good for my soul, as does her big sister.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

18 March 2026: 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 

"Annie's Song"

17 March 2026: Been humming/singing this one to myself since yesterday--along with "Hopelessly Devoted to You." That seemingly random combination is the result of this fun Hit Parade episode. 

Anyway, I am such a big old softie that this one gets to me. 

[And isn’t everything risk?]

16 March 2026:

Perfect poem for a solitary, Big Thoughts day. Grateful for Gregory Orr's work.

"And isn’t everything risk?

The beloved lives
Then dies,
Then (if we’re lucky)
Rises again 

Into a poem or song

Or into the world
In some other form
Impossible to predict.

Simplest story, oldest tale: 

Sparrows sing it
From every hedge;
And swallows, also,
From their nests on the ledge." 

That there's a tornado watch in effect also feels appropriate as the weather outside veers from bright sun to storms and back again.