This weekend I spent on the Missouri River, at a writer's retreat. A writer's retreat is a place full of artists, other tribe members. These retreats exist so we can be learn from each other, inspire one another, read, write, and watch the birds fly south overhead. On the first night, we each wrote on... Continue Reading →
Last night, Brandon, you couldn't sleep because you watched a video on the iPad that frightened you. You called, "mommy!" from your bed, even though you never call me that anymore and I raced up the bunk stairs to hold you. You were covered in a cold sweat. You told me about the video, that... Continue Reading →
I often write posts about books I've read and loved but I've never made a collection of short stories I love, which are equally important, but don't get the attention novels and memoirs do, for some reason I can't explain. I don't know why everyone isn't reading short story collections. Short stories are condensed versions... Continue Reading →
I read the phrase, A woman who has only recently come to resemble herself ("The Folded Clock: A Diary" by Heidi Julavits). I underlined it. I read it again: "A woman who has only recently come to resemble herself." There was a break on the page then, which I used to mull over this sentence,... Continue Reading →
Once I was a writer in the sense that I wrote sometimes.Now, I am a writer in the sense that I depend on it. Like exercise, or sleep: it is a part of my day. My head fills with words and sentences to write and each day, I empty my head: scribble it down or... Continue Reading →
Writing was lonely.So very lonely.Until the day I discovered other writers.I knew they existed, of course, on couches being interviewed, represented with jacket pictures, in print. But not in real life like this. When I joined this MFA Program last summer, my world exploded. Suddenly I was filled to the brim with the camaraderie I... Continue Reading →
When my arm is across Brandon's or Holden's chest, I feel their hearts racing, running. I think, slow down, calm down, breathe. You're running your little selves ragged, you're so high strung, you chatter too much. I think all of these things while I drink my coffee, trying to stimulate myself.I tell them not to interrupt... Continue Reading →
I need a break from this paper which is making my head spin.So here's what I'm into lately: Bath bombs. I don't know if I can take a bath without one. It turns a bath into an experience. They're expensive, yes, but you can get six cheap tiny ones for ten bucks in a pinch. I am... Continue Reading →
Night runs.Ahhhh (breathe in), night runs.They have always been my favorite.When I was in college,I worked eveningsand I didn't get home until 11 p.m.,and then my favorite thing to dowas lace up my running shoesand run.To run under the stars and the moonswithout all the honking cars and barking dogsis as peacefulas runs can be.The... Continue Reading →
While I was drunkenly piecing together a puzzle last Saturday (so classic), my sister texted me:A: You guys gonna watch the eclipse?Me: If I find glassesA: *sends infographic of where to buy eclipse glasses* Are you going to the path of totality? I hear it's incredible. We're planning on going.Me: Not sure what that means... Continue Reading →
holly pelesky 