five for friday
1. I have been feeding the birds in my yard, and I have added squirrels to the mealtime repertoire. They wait for me to walk outside and fill up the little box and line up the windowsill with peanuts and other treats. They have been scared of our dogs, but over Christmas, one made a nest in an old tree in our backyard. (Brave squirrel!) And then my husband bought me a squirrel box and put it up in our side yard (we have 2 acres.) I don’t think any have moved in yet, but I’ll keep you posted.
2. I just finished reading Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These and it has stayed with me for a long while. I love a good, spare book that keeps you thinking for days afterwards and this book did it for me. Written about a father of five girls in the 80s who discovers abuse within the Irish Laundries, the Church run institutions that forced girls to relinquish their babies and were rife with abuse and neglect, this book haunted me. The last laundry didn’t close until 1996. 1996! I visited Ireland in 1992 during a backpacking trip. I can’t believe that those things were still happening in what was a relatively modern time. Excellent book and I highly recommend. The movie is superb as well.
3. Unfortunately for my daughter Clare (19, at college in Arizona.) I have decided not to watch The Bachelor this season. I am such a sucker for romance, but it’s been disappointing, as of late, how they all end up breaking up with each other. Sorry Clare! (But I may have to still watch Bachelor in Paradise if it ever comes back.)
4. I redid my office since the last blog post and it is now SO freaking magical! The ceiling is painted blue, with stenciled stars, I have a bird feeder connected to my window, the most magical ceiling light, and a gallery wall. And a star projector! Allll the magic. You can find a before and after video on my author Instagram.
5. And last but certainly not least, my book, Paradise Flat, is officially on submission! Eeek! My agent, Kristen and I passed it back and forth like a hot potato this past week and weekend, each of us catching little glitches and typos and fixes. Hopefully now, it’s as polished as it can possibly be, and is officially launched into the ether! (Or editor’s email boxes. Or whatever.) It is scary and nerve racking and hopeful and exciting all at the same time. Fingers crossed, fairy dust sprinkled, and prayers said that someone will love the story of Daniel and Gemma as much as me.
Have a great weekend!
