my view at dusk

Today was a good day.

I haven't been able to say that for a while now. When my pericarditis hit this fall (update soon, I promise), I didn't realize how much it was affecting me physically or emotionally until the cardiologist finally said I needed to take it seriously. I had thought - as I did after Boy Beeton was born - that I was just an inadequate mother. I had thought - because I was so tired all the time - that I was just selfish. I had thought - because I had no patience for anything or anyone - that I was just a bad person. But, it was just the illness, which on top of being physically painful, was also making me tired and depressed.

I know this because today was a good day. I woke up with energy. I played with Boy Beeton this morning. I put away the porch furniture. We went to school. I took a walk. I graded. After school, we picked up some groceries. When we got home, we played soccer in the yard until it got dark. I made dinner. We had a dance party. I calmly dealt with a before bed tantrum. I was myself again.

Keep sweeping,
Martha

Watched The Peanuts Movie.

boo

2015 shots of Halloween... and an oldie but goodie. "The sun will come out..."

Keep sweeping,
Martha

Read Mary Higgins Clark The Melody Lingers On.

bleck

This is how I feel about life lately...

But, I read this great article about the 15th anniversary of one of my favorite films. That made things a bit better.

Keep sweeping,
Martha

Watched Kissing Jessica Stein, I Love You, Man, Love Jones, and Maid in Manhattan.

lump in my throat

Obsessed with this song right now.



This is worth a watch, too.



Keep sweeping,
Martha

Read Judy Blume's In Case of Emergency.

the write stuff

I've been writing most of the afternoon for the first time at my new little space in our office. We cleared out Boy Beeton's nursery a while ago, but this summer we finally got the space in order. The walls are grey; the desk and bookcase are red. The accents are yellow and turquoise. I made an inspiration wall above my desk complete with some paintings from my Nana and Poppop's house, a sweet little drawing by Boy Beeton, my I Love Takoma woodcut, and a framed cover of Good Housekeeping from back in the day (a 40th birthday present from C & A). The black and white photo adds to the romance of the writer's room.

Summer updates and photos to come very soon.

Keep sweeping, Martha

Read Afterbirth by Elisa Albert.

inside/outside

Keep sweeping,
Martha

happy birthday, you're really sweet

Boy Beeton made this video for Uncle T's birthday. Since he couldn't open it via email and since I couldn't figure out how to send it in a different format, I'm posting it here. Boy Beeton looks a lot different than he did celebrating the big 80.

Happy Birthday!

Keep sweeping,
Martha

Watched While We're Young.