Y’all. At the beginning of the week, I had this nice flow going. A beautiful little schedule that looked organized, comfortable, and well thought out on paper. You know my Plum Paper day planner is one of my favorite things on the planet. She was glowing. That was 8 years ago…or at least that’s what it feels like. I tried to put this idea together Sunday - you know, at the … [Read more...] about Week Two – The Fire Hydrant of Feels
April
Week One – Finding the First Groove
I officially have one full week under my belt here in Knoxville, and I have discovered that it is super easy to fall into whatever kind of trap you want when you are alone. It occured to me this morning that even though I have been to Mass every day for 10 days, seeing and greeting many of the same people, if I never went back, there would be no one to make sure I hadn't given … [Read more...] about Week One – Finding the First Groove
Grace, Shame, and Fear
2025JUN18 Yesterday was a good day. I cleared (or at least pushed to the next step) all of my pending outside projects. I feel really good about that – mostly because most of them were behind schedule or cutting it close. I am doing much better about that sort of thing. So, let’s talk about grace, shame, and fear. Grace: I am a huge fan. … [Read more...] about Grace, Shame, and Fear
Week Zero
A year or so ago (maybe longer now) I bought a sleep mask. It’s the wraparound kind with the earbuds in them. What a miraculous invention for a marriage such as mine – the early bird and the night owl. I hate it when we don’t go to bed at the same time, he hates disturbing me by being awake. The mask is the answer. But I didn’t wear it the night before I left. I didn’t care … [Read more...] about Week Zero
The Second Charcoal Fire
Y'all. I was in the process of creating a Substack, and it was going to be awesome. Here was the About page: What This Is (and Isn’t) I’m starting a PhD in English at the University of Tennessee. Our youngest daughter has just graduated from high school, so I have enough furniture packed for a two-bedroom apartment, and I couldn’t tell you if I am stepping up or … [Read more...] about The Second Charcoal Fire