Being near water makes us happier. What’s your water? (I have at least three.)
The Missouri State House of Representatives just voted to defund the state’s public libraries, in retaliation for a lawsuit from the Missouri Library Association over book bans. Libraries are essential public gathering spaces in our communities, in addition to being a crucial educational resource. (Related: Libraries for the People is holding an “ABCs of Getting Involved with Your Local Library” teach-in this Saturday. Registration is free.)
News from Twitter: A thread on the art history of “kitty loafs.”
A couple of weeks ago, Austin Kleon wrote about how a journal is not just a tool, it’s a place. I’ve kept journals steadily for as long as I’ve been able to write, and I agree that journaling feels like an environment to hang out in, much like a story does. It’s also one of my favorite places, and I love that I can visit no matter where I am.
Poet and Professor Kathy Fagan, who I took classes from at Ohio State, was recently named a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow. Fagan’s 2018 collection Sycamore is one of my favorite collections of poetry. Her poem “Perpendicular” is from that collection.
Last Thursday, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted on whether to expel three representatives who had protested gun violence on the house floor. After the vote, Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, both young Black men, were expelled. Gloria Johnson, who also protested, and is white, was not expelled. As of Wednesday evening, following widespread public outcry, both expelled representatives have been reinstated.
Chen Chen’s When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities, another of my favorite poetry collections, was published six years ago. The first time I heard the poem “Poplar Street” from that collection, I was driving south on I-5 and listening to a podcast. I was so engrossed in the reading that I missed my exit and I didn’t realize for several miles.
Thanks for reading,
Kate
What's my water?
Despite relative proximity, I have never had much chance to visit the ocean, but each time is such an experience that I always think fondly of it. I also perk up just from smelling the salty seawater in the air of an impending rain.
Likewise, as I stated on Patricia's comment, you just can't beat the rain. I love watching it. I love sitting on my covered porch and just feeling the bit of mist and listening to it. If it's a warm, summer rain, I love running through it; giggling in it; dancing in it.
As for the rest of your post: thank you for that cat loaf thread share. Absolutely adorable. Instant retweet. I will routinely return to that thread.
Finally. I 100% agree with what you said about journaling. It's always so magical to be able to transport yourself back to your past self and past experiences (or read someone else's journal and live their experiences). I just can never sort out motivating myself to do it. I've started and stopped at least 4 different physical journals throughout my youth and young adulthood. I've tried "a page a day" diaries (and have routinely gone over... surprise, surprise...) which have only lasted a few short months. I've tried "annual recap" journals where you write an entry on your birthday... that lasted until about 5yrs ago. I've tried digital journaling. Equally short-lived. The closest I have now is my writing blog, my Tumblr page, my FB posts, and the minute journaling I do on a self-care app. I really need to try to sort out journaling a bit better.
What’s your water?
The ocean is my happiest place; floating and bobbing in her arms is embryonic to me; a rebirthing experience.
Camping in the rain with drops falling on the ceiling and the fresh, electric feeling in the air.
Walking in the warm summer rain, getting drenched and feeling cleansed in a way no simple shower could ever hope to provide.
Thank you for inspiring this ponder. Thank you also for the link that I can send to my husband to explain my need to travel away from our landlocked home to the sea, sand, and sun. 🙏