When I tried to find a photo of Christmas that kind of said “Christmas” for a post for Brain, Mother about holidays and my overwhelm, I discovered that most of my photographs aren’t exactly Christmas-y. Sharing a couple here along with the link to the post for you to verify this fact.
One of my sentimental favorite essays is up on Momfilter. My teaser has included the import of picture books, museums in orchards and literary diagnoses. It’d be my holiday gift to and from you to read it.
I was confessional on Kveller about my jealousy at times toward my divorced friends for their (enforced) time away from kids, which sounds at times like a breather. I am, as other writing attests, really in want of a big breather, or even a small one.
Lastly, if you want to hang out with me—two options in January, all within the space of thirty-six hours: I’m part of a book launch event for the Good Mother Myth, an anthology about… good mothers and such. It’s a fascinating (in this, I’m unbiased) book (biased part: I have an essay in here) and the party takes place at Hinge in Northampton on January 17th at seven. Be there or be a bad something or other. Obviously, you don’t have to be there to purchase the book. Request that your local indie bookshop get a few copies why don’t you? And the very next morning, I’ll be teaching (she breathes deeply here) a half-day workshop entitled the Art of Blogging at Writers in Progress in Florence. It turns out the few years I’ve been blogging here qualifies me as an old blogger with some ideas to share about how blogs can work (for you). It should be fun!
Because it’s a long break—or may feel long—for many of us, I am leaving you with a cover of Royals for the overtired parent set amongst us and a video that will make you laugh whilst you simultaneously learn for one and for all about the difference between less and fewer. You’re very welcome.
See you Standing in the Shadows readers around the New Year’s Resolution moment or shortly thereafter. Observe or enjoy or both this week off-kilter from the routine.
