Just give me three minutes.

I come to you today after a three month absence because I was driving down the highway yesterday and it was raining and I was listening to Ione Skye’s memoir and I saw something out of the corner of my eye and when I turned my head I discovered that at least 50 rolls of toilet paper were lying on the side of the road soaking up the rain next to the body of a dead raccoon. I thought I needed to talk about it, but now I’m wondering what else there is to say.

I know you don’t wonder what I’m up to when I’m not here, and that’s the way it should be. But I feel the need to tell you. Let’s work backwards.

Today I met a cat named Milkshake, and I fell in love with him. (He’s wearing a red collar because he’s feisty and mouthy—two qualities I’ve always admired.)

Several months ago I ate breakfast tacos while sitting at a table with a friend and his mom. One thing led to another and now I have a loom. (My friend’s mom is a weaver and a knitter and a writer and a traveler and an artist and an inspiration.)

I turned 55, which is really fucking dumb. So I conclaved.

I took a photo of myself being 55 on the day I turned 55 and I posted it to Instagram using Ol’ 55 by Tom Waits as accompaniment because the alternative doesn’t suit my style.

I spun some yarn and stitched some notebooks.

(The bottom one isn’t finished. Her sweater needs a sweater.)

Finally, I went to a thing at a church and I thought this would be an appropriate thing to wear, but once I got there I felt like maybe it wasn’t. (Honestly, I feel that way every time I put on clothes and go to a place, so it really doesn’t matter what I pull over my head. Plus: This shirt. It’s a good one.)

I’m in between jobs right now, so maybe you’ll see more of me.
I have so much to share with you.
Here’s an example. In the sixth grade we were asked to memorize a list of 20 being verbs, and because brains are so weird: Am Are Be Been Being Can Could Has Have Had Is May Might Must Shall Should Was Were Will Would.

Did you know I’ve switched over to Substack?
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It will always be free.