Five Things for 5/5
(Yes, it's a day late. I had to write a candle-making presentation.)
1) Plant of the Week
Candyroot (Polygala nana), an herbaceous plant native to the southeastern United States. We saw some last week on a trail near Blue Spring State Park in central Florida. Apparently, the root can be chewed and has a “sweet licorice flavor,” but we didn’t try any. It’s usually pretty well hidden unless it’s blooming, according to Wikipedia, but isn’t that true of a lot of plants? Most people —heck, even most bees and birds, too —notice them when they’re at the showiest. Orchids are notorious for that, looking like limp leaves or desiccated roots most of the time.
Writers and other kinds of artists are a lot like that. They’re closeted away in sweats and crumbs until they’ve finished their work and then appear in riotous colors, or at least recently-brushed hair, to show off their accomplishments.
2) Books
Olga Dies Dreaming was more enjoyable than I expected it to be. I’m not sure what made me unsure of it, but I do tend to struggle getting into a lot of city-girl-with-career things lately. I’m too old, maybe, to get caught up in anything too similar to the old Sex & the City vibe. Olga Dies Dreaming focused heavily on family and her interactions, care, and love for them made the book. The love interest complimented Olga well, too.
3) Music
Ani DiFranco has a new EP, so I’ve had that on repeat a few times since it dropped. I got through most of the latest Taylor Swift. I know, she’s very popular with legions of fans, but I prefer her in smaller doses. I’ve also been playing a lot of videos from this YouTube channel in the background when I’m getting work done. The ADHD trap and trance on 1.5x or 1.75x speed is perfect for getting some stuff done. (And for a lot of people, listening to something in the background is essential to certain people’s productivity, especially neurospicy people.)
4) Animal of the Week
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis viginiana) is sometimes unappreciated. They’re the northernmost marsupial and eat about 5000 ticks per year along with venomous snakes. Their low body temperature means it’s highly unlikely for them to carry rabies (like, no one’s found one with it). They have opposable thumbs on their back feet and use the prehensile tales like an extra hand, though they can’t hang themselves from their tails and pull themselves back up. (They don’t do abs very often.) They don’t have much of a defense system, but they’re cute.
5) Upcoming
The Treasure Coast Sisters in Crime chapter will hosting Beth Schmelzer in a discussion about how to “hook” readers on our writing in any genre. It’s coming up fast (May 7!) but there’s still time to register if you’re interested. Our book club this month includes two Victoria Holt books.