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Showing posts from 2017

Sirens: Women Who Work Magic

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Hello dear ones, It's been a stormy month and a moody one. The Pacific Northwest has abandoned all trace of summer and committed itself fully to its new soggy season. That said, October was the most beautiful autumn month I've ever known. The fall colors this year were *outrageous* and I spent as much time as possible outside soaking them in. November is proving to be more sullen and gloomy. No less beautiful, perhaps, just... a bit harder to appreciate.           I've been sick, and so have my children, which is typical this time of year, but we've all been doing our best to carry on and give ourselves little things to appreciate and look forward to.  Which reminds me: one not so little thing that I appreciated this autumn was Sirens 2017!  I've described Sirens many times before. If you're curious, here are a few previous posts on 2013 , 2014 , 2015 , and 2016 . Each time I attend Sirens, I meet new and incredible people who inspire and c

Witches, Warriors, & Sirens

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Hello dear ones, I hope October is treating you well.  For me, it's not just the month of Halloween, Samhain, and pumpkin patches any more, though I love those things. It's become something else entirely. October is the month when I most notice the seasons turn, honor the slow death of the year, remember lost lives and loves, and celebrate the mysteries of what I can't know or name. In October, I usually feel more inspired and more alive, more busy and awake. But I also feel more withdrawn from the fractured bustling world of the headlines and social media. I feel more like taking an extra walk on the beach. Maybe not answering calls or texts. Maybe staying home with a cup of tea. October is also the month of Sirens . At the end of the month, I get to travel to the mountains of Colorado to talk about literature and writing and womanhood with people I admire and adore. This will be my fifth time attending Sirens and it's become one of the absol

September Gurl

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Hello sweet ones,  I hope this post finds you well and transitioning easily from summer to fall.  I absolutely love this time of year. I love the chill in the air and the crackle of early falling leaves, all held by the lingering summer sun and miraculous blue skies.  I forget that this can also be a difficult time for me. My teaching career was profoundly stressful, but I often miss my students in autumn, I miss my colleagues, and sometimes, not always, I even miss the bustle of busy school days.  What's more, the tragedies of 2001's September don't seem that long ago. I still have anxiety dreams whenever September rolls around. Occasionally, I feel a sense of dread. Only some of this do I attribute to the normal start of school. The end of summer this year was particularly hectic. We had visitors nearly all summer (which was wonderful) but I barely had time to think, let alone to write. Then suddenly the guests were gone, my ducklings were off

The Skywatcher & Summer

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Hello friends! Before a summer catch up, I have some happy news: My short story, "The Skywatcher", has been accepted for publication by Mythic Delirium ! I'm thrilled. I'll share details as I have them. One fun tidbit is that Mythic Delirium is about to celebrate their 20th anniversary! Mike and Anita Allen are as kind as they are dedicated. I'm so grateful for their support and excited to celebrate them. Otherwise, summer has been summering. We've hosted lots of extended family over the past month and we also took a brief trip to the Olympic Peninsula. I don't see how I could possibly share all the photos and faces and fun without making this post gargantuan, so here are just a few: Boys on the peninsula.  On the ferry.    Snuggles at home.   Dressed up for a wedding.   Favorite meal of the summer.  Fresh caught and fried yellow perch -results of fishing with the famous Captain Grandpa. =)  Daisies in o