It's already July?!
A preview of July's first drafts, what I've been reading, and how my first SAHM summer's going, not quite in that order.
Time is a paradox: Weeks and months blur by, but some days simply plod along. I remember being a kid, and adults saying, with gravitas, the older you get, the faster the years fly by. I would smile politely while inwardly rolling my eyes, because I was a kid, and the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was an eternity. Back then, summer was not just a season, it was its own entity, a never-ending recess filled with lightning bug-catching and bonfires and days at the pool and hours rolling down the hill in my grandparents’ backyard.
Now, I am the adult marveling at how quickly time passes. This is my first summer as a stay-at-home-mom, and while I knew that the days would be filled with chores and errands and writing when I can, I also expected to be out more. I imagined mornings at the public library, my son learning to interact with babies his age during storytime. I imagined strolling through town for a midday coffee at the local shoppe, where I’d sit outside and feed my son his bottle and enjoy a much-needed Americano while journaling. Alas, summer’s halfway through, and we’ve been to the pool but once, haven’t yet gathered around a bonfire, roasting marshmallows, haven’t even taken a morning stroll downtown, La Prima coffee in hand. This year is speeding onward, and even that week of stifling heat at the end of June can’t slow it down.
Summer’s been good—my husband and I attended a lecture, just the two of us; the three of us watched my son’s godfather marry the love of his life during a beautiful wedding; I’ve spent quality time with my siblings—but I am aware time marches ever forward. Because I don’t want to miss a thing, I’ve been setting my phone down and living in the present. I wake each day and watch it unfold as quickly or slowly as it wants. Each morning, I breathe in muggy air while pushing the stroller with one hand and tugging my dog along on his leash with the other. I savor coffee brewed very early, coffee that, between walks and playtime and feedings, lasts until mid-afternoon. I memorize my son’s smiles and repeat silly phrases until they no longer make him laugh, cross as many things off my to-do list, and try not to beat myself up for not getting to everything.
“Everything” includes first drafts, and I’m sorry to anyone who has spent the last couple days refreshing their Gmails, eagerly awaiting this silly little experiment, wondering if they missed the July newsletter. (Ha, ha.) You didn’t miss it. I missed it, “it" being my deadline. This newsletter is very obviously not arriving on the first day of July. Instead, it’s coming at ya today, July 3, Fourth of July Eve. It’s here, now. Thank you for being here, now, too. :)
Without further ado, a preview of this month’s first drafts:
This month, we’ve got a poem comin’ in hot (thematic hint!). The Fourth of July is my absolute favorite day of every year, and my family never misses our local parade. So, a photo essay from the parade will arrive later this week, in case you live somewhere where the fanfare isn’t so loudly red, white and blue. :)
Also in July: I’ll share an essay on a big baby milestone and a short story I penned several years ago but never did share, anywhere. This month marks six years since my grandmother, Nancy (Boka), passed, and I’m going to write about that, too.
ICYMI
Last month, first drafts took a trip up north, to Bar Harbor, Maine. Here’s the photo essay, if you missed it and need an escape. :) I also waxed nostalgic about home, made light of recent injuries sustained during cleaning (ok, that’s ridiculously hyperbolic!) and pondered God’s invitation to participate in creation.
Thanks to all readers who got those photos and writings sent straight to their inboxes. I really appreciate all subscribers — this experiment would be awful lonely without you.
If you don’t currently get first drafts straight to your inbox and you’d like a little happy (e)mail each week, subscribing takes as long as it takes you to type your email into the cutesy little box below. I won’t use your email for anything other than sending essays, musings on motherhood and faith, poems and photos your way. Also, it’s free!
Recent reads
Novels: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Once I entered the world of Addie LaRue, I didn’t want to leave. In 1700s France, Addie LaRue makes a deal: to escape a loveless marriage, she will live as long as she likes, and at the end of her time, the Darkness gets her soul. The caveat: no one will ever remember her. This sweeping narrative takes readers throughout Europe and the United States, throughout centuries. I lost myself within pages of poetic prose and the breathtakingly beautiful story. The ending is as perfect as the novel itself, and if you’re a fan of history and fantasy, this book is your next read.
James, by Percival Everett
James is a retelling of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, from the point of view of N***** Jim. Fans of the first novel will delight in experiencing unforgettable Huckleberry moments through a different lens, and will appreciate the way Everett pays homage to Twain’s unique voice. Everett adds to the current cultural conversation through the retelling of a famous tale, which makes James—a quick read—an important piece of literature.
Short story: the last mail carrier by Clancy Steadwell
I’m a sucker for the last of anything (on that note, have you read The Last Taxi Driver?!). So this title caught my eye. And I’m glad. the last mail carrier feels at once current and dystopian. It might take place today or years in the future, but that doesn’t matter, because some lines are so thoughfully constructed it’s a pleasure to read them, and some moments sparkle brilliantly. The story’s pacing is quick, an entire career, and life, racing by. I didn’t see the ending coming, and so read it through misted eyes. the last mail carrier is beautiful, and worth the read.
Other June things:
June includes National Donut Day, so I picked up a box of gluten-free chocolate donuts by Pittsburgh’s Gluten Free By Kassiani, and they were so freaking delicious, I had to stage a photo shoot (see above, lol). Other things that made me happy in June: celebrating my husband’s Pap’s 80th birthday, celebrating my husband’s first Father’s Day, and submitting my first freelance piece to NEXTPittsburgh (I’ll share the link to Notes when it goes live!!!). What made your June exceptional or just beautifully ordinary? I’d love to know, in the comments! <3