A Few Things to Tell You Vol. 5
An eclectic book pairing, speaking up, and a new yoga find
Well hello there! Happy Saturday ~ thanks for welcoming me into your inbox again.
I’m sure you all know it’s No Kings again today ~ if you see this early enough and want to find an event, here you go! Am I going? I honestly don’t know yet as of this writing ~ I have been going nonstop and need to decide if it will be in my best physical interest to be out all afternoon.
I have high hopes for a low-key and fairly restful weekend ~ the oldest is home and I have plans to see some out-of-town family for brunch on Sunday, but hopefully this weekend spent mostly at home will allow me to recharge for a full week of school and a very full next weekend. I definitely have to block things off to allow myself time to recharge!
A Surprisingly Perfect Pairing
I’m FINALLY catching up on the books I was reading back in September when Oma’s death hit me hard. It’s been a weird almost-month since then reading-wise.
I was already reading my library copy of When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World by Jordan Thomas when its inclusion on the National Book Awards Finalist list was released in September, and was ecstatic that it was getting the recognition it deserves.
My oldest is incredibly interested in, and works in, land management and conservation, with fire being an area of special interest. I love being able to geek out with her about books like this, and we recommended it to all of my parents and siblings and their spouses as well. If you are interested in the environment and climate change and why our world is going up in flames, add this one to your “ASAP” TBR pile - it’s a standout in its niche.
And now … the book I read when reading about the destruction of our earth and the horrible treatment of wildland firefighters just got to be too much. We were first introduced to the world of Valentine Nook last December in Moore’s holiday novella Once Upon a Christmas Tree, with this September release being the first full length novel in the series. Valentine Nook is a charming, utterly unique, small town British romance that was just so soothing and delightful. I can’t wait for more in the series! Both the novella and novel are available in Kindle Unlimited.
Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness
On Tuesday evening I ventured out of my house AGAIN on a school night - the plan was to attend a screening of the documentary Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness at a local performing arts center. This was put on by a coalition of local organizations and fits in perfectly with one of my nonfiction reading passions.
Learn more about the documentary, Beyond the Bridge, at its website.
However, we got news that same day that my city’s public library board would be discussing the potential closure of the library branch just blocks from the school where I teach ~ that evening.
SCREEECH. Plans changed. I attended the library board meeting instead of the documentary and spoke during public comments about the impact this closure would have on my students. The vote for closure was delayed a month, and while I don’t have high hopes for this branch being saved, I do feel better having attended and spoken.
A New Yoga Find
I’m really picky about yoga and yoga instructors because I’m adamant that my yoga needs to be a holistic practice, NOT a workout.
That’s why I was so happy to have finally made the time to follow Alina Khan (founder of the Hamaara yoga method ~ check it out!) from her featured videos in the Yoga with Adriene collection to her own studio, Oak & Lotus!
I attended one of Alina’s live classes via Zoom last Sunday (her Mild Flow class) and it was absolutely perfect ~ I hope to make this Sunday evening class a regular part of my schedule. It was set up perfectly to feel like I was actually in the studio with those attendees there in person, and Alina took the time to greet me by name and talk with me 1:1 on Zoom after class!
Someday I’m going to make it to Austin, TX and attend one of Alina’s classes in person, mark my words! Until then, I’ll be at her classes via Zoom and practicing with her using her on-demand library.
Some Random Tidbits
I read almost exclusively middle grade fiction over the past week or so and am so excited to share some of these books with you on Tuesday!
I put out a call for volunteers to my school families and it’s been so wonderful to get quite a few offers already. If you have time in your life to volunteer at a local school or library or nursing home or food bank or anywhere, please do consider it. Even an hour a week can make a huge difference.
I walked the dogs several mornings this week in the pouring rain and was reminded of how much I love this rain gear - jacket AND pants!
I pulled out my trusty cold season socks yet again for the next seven months ~ love love love the lifetime guarantee! Even though it means I never really need to buy fun new designs again ~ drat.
I’m currently knitting … something … using my newfound knitting skills, and am finding such joy in not even having an end product in mind, but just doing the thing. I have been bringing it in the car on the rare occasions my husband and I get to be in the car together, or knitting on the couch and listening to an audiobook, or knitting just one row before leaving for work, or knitting during meetings to help stay focused auditorily. Maybe someday it will be a scarf, but for now it’s just a meditative process. I have ripped it out three times already and started over and don’t even care. Process over product.
As much as I do love summer, being able to wear this palette constantly now is making me all cozy and happy …
fall vibes all day every day
And that’s all for this week ~ take care!
Thanks for stopping by!
