Doing Just Fine

March 2025

Dear Reader,

This month's reminder is Motherwort's strength.

I spent last weekend tending to plants, adding fresh soil to potted plants, and planting heat-tolerant flowers near our door. I'm tending to my first yarrow to learn to identify it in all its stages of growth. I’m trying indoor peppers because I’d like to produce and dry my own. My body is sore from the digging, bending, and carrying. It's a nice feeling, a reminder that I extended energy and to move softly with myself.

The week prior, during the last cold front this winter and on the second to last night of freezing temperatures, the water heater for the house broke. We had drained and shut off the heater when the cold front came in, so I enjoyed a week of washing by wiping, tea kettle warmed water, and then full-on cold showers when it was warm enough for that to work. I'm healthy and don't have any significant health issues, so all of it was doable. The unit was eventually replaced. It wasn't as horrendous a ride as people have experienced in Texas. I think a lot about how easily people adjust to things. Not assuming there will be any help or relief. Learning that things will break easily, and that’s just the way things are now. I wonder how hot it will get this summer. What are the worries that plague your part of the world? Have you made two backup plans for each?

In my writing life, things are progressing. Writing is my steady anchor. It's getting light enough in the morning that I'll pack away the candles soon. I'm going through edits on a manuscript I told my agent I'd send to her in March. It'll be late March probably. I’m happy with it. This steady editing process that hasn't involved much angst is a new pleasure.

I’m making my way through James Baldwin’s The Price of the Ticket, so that’s taking most of my reading time. Still, I’ve included some recs below of current and near-recent readings.

May the longer sunlight hours bring you ease,

Thao

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​Blood in the Machine by Brian Merchant — I’m only halfway through this, and it’s so applicable to the times. I highly recommend it and the podcast Movement Memos, where I first heard about it.

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​Just in Case by Kathy Harrison — Is it possible to stay prepper-light? I’m trying to be a cautious “just in case-r.” I thought I might try glamping this year, but I also feel like I have just done that in my own home 😦

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​The Girl Before Her by Line Papin — Simply or not so simply a beautiful book.

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