Word for the week ahead - less. I've just closed the door to the bathroom, everything is shiny, clean and organised. I've just finished spring cleaning the bathroom and it smells faintly of bleach covered over with apple scented wax from the gently glowing warmer. It doesnt sound like a big thing but it is for me. It's a big tick off my list and when I open that door I will feel a little tingle of joy and success
Oh what a door to include! Thank you, Lisa. I’m envious of this sparkle, but I love knowing there is an apple scent layered over the bleach. Good for you checking that off the list! (I will admit I did clean the toilet after feeling really guilty about that after writing about it. But there is definitely no sparkle!) Have a wonderful week.
Thanks Amy- my word for the week is “Babel.” It’s an academic fantasy novel I’m reading by RF Kuang, set in Oxford, where the magic comes from knowing obscure etymology and translation between languages. The big theme is colonialism and appropriation. It’s making me dream of being in uni again.
Thank you for reading, Lauren. Babel — and your context — feels like a good word for the week. I like the faint feel of irony to it, especially when thinking of layers of “babble” that might generate levels of background noise this week. (The “tower” notwithstanding, it is interesting that babel and babble have similar but slightly different meanings.)
I feel like I’ve heard of this book, but I’ve never looked at it. Sounds intriguing. I want, all the time, to be back in academia. I think some of us never lose that. Report back on the book…. And I wish you a week of understanding, and peace.
(Thanks for giving me something to chew on for the week….this whole babel thing…. Though without the political and historical angle…. Thank you!)
Monsters Inc was absolutely on my mind as I read this. I can't resist the magic in metaphor of a door and a portal. I like thinking about the in between space, the threshold. It's quite en vogue now to talk about liminal spaces. But I think it's a fascinating place to be and to think about. In any case, I happily stepped through many portals with you thanks to your post. I had a bit of a mind blow with the backwards push sign. There's some sort of self-reflective, feedback loop, Mobius strip, Infinity scarf theme in there.
Even though I've never run a marathon, I have run long distances. The toll taken on the body is revealed over time only after the run is complete. I've made the mistake more than once of pushing through the aftermath and then finding myself facing injury, no longer able to run. My takeaway from this is that sometimes the fallout is greater than we expect after the actual ordeal. Or put another way, there is great impact, often unseen, that needs to be reckoned with in some way after the dust settles. I guess my motivation in sharing that is to empathize.
I always appreciate your posts, because I find some nugget of insight that helps me expand my thinking about life in a modern age.
My song to share: Seasick, Yet Still Docked by Morrissey. I love the title. And the last sentence: "My love is as sharp as a needle in your eye; you must be such a fool to pass me by." For all of us who feel misunderstood and out of place. https://youtu.be/HcV6Gc0eUtQ?si=EOT30Pv-PtJsVDfx
Emily, thank you for this comment — all of it. I agree about doors and portals. I knew I could easily get lost if I followed the portals path. Another time. But I love that the “push” struck you. I wish I had a photo of the sign on our actual door (but they would see me taking it, lol). It is funny how it tricks the mind. Thank you for the distance running perspective…. I hadn’t thought about that side of it. I do appreciate the words. I love seeing what songs come to mind for people Thank you for sharing this one! (I just went and listened to it.) And thank you, of course, for reading and commenting.
I don’t know that title…. So I’m glad you mentioned it. I hope there is patience in your week…. And lots of crochet. Our time today went fast — I didn’t ask how the project is progressing. Take it with you. Crochet through it all. I’m sure another grinch song opportunity will arise. I do love Mad World. Thanks for reading and commenting!
When I read your post I thought of this quote immediately.
“But I have sometimes thought that a woman's nature is like a great house full of rooms: there is the hall, through which everyone passes in going in and out; the drawing-room, where one receives formal visits; the sitting-room, where the members of the family come and go as they list; but beyond that, far beyond, are other rooms, the handles of whose doors perhaps are never turned; no one knows the way to them, no one knows whither they lead; and in the innermost room, the holy of holies, the soul sits alone and waits for a footstep that never comes.”
-Edith Wharton
Hugs for the upcoming week. May you find all the right doors opening for you.
Thank you for sharing this quote, Kelley. This is a wonderful, poignant Wharton quote. I’m so happy you shared this. I hope you, too, have a peaceful week, one lit by gratitude. That part is within our reach, something we control. I know it makes a difference. Thank you for reading and commenting.
The door I thought of was a gate with a key in The Secret Garden. I always hoped to find a secret place no one else knew about. Of course I wanted it to be beautiful and magical, but real life doesn’t offer these up very often.
My Song of the Week is Paramore’s Running Out of Time. I haven’t even begun the week and I’m lamenting the fact that it will be so busy I might not get to relax into a break from school. My word of the week should be “present” because I’m thinking past and future too much.
The Secret Garden came to mind for me, too! I love that is what you thought of. We do hold out hope for magical spaces. The hope is probably what makes them magical. I hope you get some time to slow down and enjoy your days off and your time with family. You selected a good word for the week..... you can do it.
A story with a door... Coraline from Neil Gaiman. And, maybe not so much about doors or portals but about ancient passageways and secret rooms, the Slow Regard of Silent Things from Patrick Rothfuss. Both favourites of mine.
Word for the week ahead: knitting . I set myself a goal of finishing all uncompleted items before the end of the year. (Two sleeves, 2 and a half socks, and replacing the toes of a pair of socks.)
I still haven’t read Slow Regard....I remember you mentioned it back when I was reading the first two books. I need to put that on my short list to read! That character was such an ethereal presence.... I’m curious about her story! I hope you are making headway on your projects and the things you want to finish by the end of the year. That’s quite a list, but you can do it!
I think you would like the illustrations in black as well.
My list grew longer this week when I was rearranging some things I found other unfinished projects that I had completely forgotten about. I am pretty sure I got them all now. lol Will have to extend my deadline I guess. Thank you for the encouragement!
I’m glad you mentioned the illustrations. I just placed a hold rather than waiting for the e-book. I at least want to see them! I hope the progress on the list of UFOs goes well. We keep things simple in my house and try to finish one thing on New Year’s Eve and then plan to start one thing on New Year’s Day. It’s kind of nice. But you should definitely finish as many as you can! I think I’ve ended up with several things started and unfinished. I have some small knitting projects that are gifts, so they need to be finished. I have one other “for me” project that has lingered …. And I really would like it to be my “finish” for the year. You’re giving me a bit of a nudge to really get it out and work through the final part.
A favorite door is the tiny one in the underground hall in Alice and Wonderland. I also remember a book from when I was a kid where a boy fell through a door from his planet into ours. Mostly I remember the cover and feeling it suggested, the story not being too memorable I guess. I’ve always loved doors/ portals since I was very little...the opportunity to escape away into an unknown world. Drawing was always a door like that for me.
I found your drawn panels very powerful in the way they convey the feeling of the marathon.
Some good doors, indeed. I am not surprised you have always loved doors and portals. I think of those along with the woodland character scenes (not really the right term, but I think you’ll know what I mean) you do..... I love doors in trees in storybooks. Thank you for commenting on the panels, too!
Word for the week ahead - less. I've just closed the door to the bathroom, everything is shiny, clean and organised. I've just finished spring cleaning the bathroom and it smells faintly of bleach covered over with apple scented wax from the gently glowing warmer. It doesnt sound like a big thing but it is for me. It's a big tick off my list and when I open that door I will feel a little tingle of joy and success
Oh what a door to include! Thank you, Lisa. I’m envious of this sparkle, but I love knowing there is an apple scent layered over the bleach. Good for you checking that off the list! (I will admit I did clean the toilet after feeling really guilty about that after writing about it. But there is definitely no sparkle!) Have a wonderful week.
Thanks Amy- my word for the week is “Babel.” It’s an academic fantasy novel I’m reading by RF Kuang, set in Oxford, where the magic comes from knowing obscure etymology and translation between languages. The big theme is colonialism and appropriation. It’s making me dream of being in uni again.
Thank you for reading, Lauren. Babel — and your context — feels like a good word for the week. I like the faint feel of irony to it, especially when thinking of layers of “babble” that might generate levels of background noise this week. (The “tower” notwithstanding, it is interesting that babel and babble have similar but slightly different meanings.)
I feel like I’ve heard of this book, but I’ve never looked at it. Sounds intriguing. I want, all the time, to be back in academia. I think some of us never lose that. Report back on the book…. And I wish you a week of understanding, and peace.
(Thanks for giving me something to chew on for the week….this whole babel thing…. Though without the political and historical angle…. Thank you!)
Monsters Inc was absolutely on my mind as I read this. I can't resist the magic in metaphor of a door and a portal. I like thinking about the in between space, the threshold. It's quite en vogue now to talk about liminal spaces. But I think it's a fascinating place to be and to think about. In any case, I happily stepped through many portals with you thanks to your post. I had a bit of a mind blow with the backwards push sign. There's some sort of self-reflective, feedback loop, Mobius strip, Infinity scarf theme in there.
Even though I've never run a marathon, I have run long distances. The toll taken on the body is revealed over time only after the run is complete. I've made the mistake more than once of pushing through the aftermath and then finding myself facing injury, no longer able to run. My takeaway from this is that sometimes the fallout is greater than we expect after the actual ordeal. Or put another way, there is great impact, often unseen, that needs to be reckoned with in some way after the dust settles. I guess my motivation in sharing that is to empathize.
I always appreciate your posts, because I find some nugget of insight that helps me expand my thinking about life in a modern age.
My song to share: Seasick, Yet Still Docked by Morrissey. I love the title. And the last sentence: "My love is as sharp as a needle in your eye; you must be such a fool to pass me by." For all of us who feel misunderstood and out of place. https://youtu.be/HcV6Gc0eUtQ?si=EOT30Pv-PtJsVDfx
And if I seem a little strange
Well, that's because I am
If I seem a little strange
That's because I am
But I know that you would like me
If only you could see me
If only you could meet me
“ For message received
Loud and clear
Loud and clear
Message received” — I don’t know how I’ve never heard this before!
Emily, thank you for this comment — all of it. I agree about doors and portals. I knew I could easily get lost if I followed the portals path. Another time. But I love that the “push” struck you. I wish I had a photo of the sign on our actual door (but they would see me taking it, lol). It is funny how it tricks the mind. Thank you for the distance running perspective…. I hadn’t thought about that side of it. I do appreciate the words. I love seeing what songs come to mind for people Thank you for sharing this one! (I just went and listened to it.) And thank you, of course, for reading and commenting.
My word for the week is patience, and my favorite story about doors is Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire
As much as I was tempted to choose a song from The Grinch, My song for November is Mad World, by Tears for Fears. https://youtu.be/u1ZvPSpLxCg?si=LFhPOf-fDFQBNDIf
I don’t know that title…. So I’m glad you mentioned it. I hope there is patience in your week…. And lots of crochet. Our time today went fast — I didn’t ask how the project is progressing. Take it with you. Crochet through it all. I’m sure another grinch song opportunity will arise. I do love Mad World. Thanks for reading and commenting!
When I read your post I thought of this quote immediately.
“But I have sometimes thought that a woman's nature is like a great house full of rooms: there is the hall, through which everyone passes in going in and out; the drawing-room, where one receives formal visits; the sitting-room, where the members of the family come and go as they list; but beyond that, far beyond, are other rooms, the handles of whose doors perhaps are never turned; no one knows the way to them, no one knows whither they lead; and in the innermost room, the holy of holies, the soul sits alone and waits for a footstep that never comes.”
-Edith Wharton
Hugs for the upcoming week. May you find all the right doors opening for you.
Thank you for sharing this quote, Kelley. This is a wonderful, poignant Wharton quote. I’m so happy you shared this. I hope you, too, have a peaceful week, one lit by gratitude. That part is within our reach, something we control. I know it makes a difference. Thank you for reading and commenting.
That is a fabulous quote.
The door I thought of was a gate with a key in The Secret Garden. I always hoped to find a secret place no one else knew about. Of course I wanted it to be beautiful and magical, but real life doesn’t offer these up very often.
My Song of the Week is Paramore’s Running Out of Time. I haven’t even begun the week and I’m lamenting the fact that it will be so busy I might not get to relax into a break from school. My word of the week should be “present” because I’m thinking past and future too much.
The Secret Garden came to mind for me, too! I love that is what you thought of. We do hold out hope for magical spaces. The hope is probably what makes them magical. I hope you get some time to slow down and enjoy your days off and your time with family. You selected a good word for the week..... you can do it.
A story with a door... Coraline from Neil Gaiman. And, maybe not so much about doors or portals but about ancient passageways and secret rooms, the Slow Regard of Silent Things from Patrick Rothfuss. Both favourites of mine.
Word for the week ahead: knitting . I set myself a goal of finishing all uncompleted items before the end of the year. (Two sleeves, 2 and a half socks, and replacing the toes of a pair of socks.)
I still haven’t read Slow Regard....I remember you mentioned it back when I was reading the first two books. I need to put that on my short list to read! That character was such an ethereal presence.... I’m curious about her story! I hope you are making headway on your projects and the things you want to finish by the end of the year. That’s quite a list, but you can do it!
I think you would like the illustrations in black as well.
My list grew longer this week when I was rearranging some things I found other unfinished projects that I had completely forgotten about. I am pretty sure I got them all now. lol Will have to extend my deadline I guess. Thank you for the encouragement!
I’m glad you mentioned the illustrations. I just placed a hold rather than waiting for the e-book. I at least want to see them! I hope the progress on the list of UFOs goes well. We keep things simple in my house and try to finish one thing on New Year’s Eve and then plan to start one thing on New Year’s Day. It’s kind of nice. But you should definitely finish as many as you can! I think I’ve ended up with several things started and unfinished. I have some small knitting projects that are gifts, so they need to be finished. I have one other “for me” project that has lingered …. And I really would like it to be my “finish” for the year. You’re giving me a bit of a nudge to really get it out and work through the final part.
A favorite door is the tiny one in the underground hall in Alice and Wonderland. I also remember a book from when I was a kid where a boy fell through a door from his planet into ours. Mostly I remember the cover and feeling it suggested, the story not being too memorable I guess. I’ve always loved doors/ portals since I was very little...the opportunity to escape away into an unknown world. Drawing was always a door like that for me.
I found your drawn panels very powerful in the way they convey the feeling of the marathon.
Definitely not lip-smacking… so confused. 😂
Some good doors, indeed. I am not surprised you have always loved doors and portals. I think of those along with the woodland character scenes (not really the right term, but I think you’ll know what I mean) you do..... I love doors in trees in storybooks. Thank you for commenting on the panels, too!