Fall, then.
We finished out the summer stash of water balloons, gave ourselves one last hurrah of backyard mayhem. Bee saved a white one for herself, Sharpied on a cat face and named it Dinah. Spent the rest of the evening dragging it along by a string leash, the sloshy balloon thumping and splashing close behind.
Can I keep her? she asks.
I’d wanted to say yes, had thought the “right” answer was yes. But I found myself saying no. Tomorrow is a new day – a totally new creation, I tell her. Join in! Make something wonderful and new once the sun comes up?
This morning, Dinah is an old pizza box.
Books finished:
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (thank you, Insta)
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen
Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn
Educated by Tara Westover
This month, as all, has been one of the good and the not-so. The four of us carving out an afternoon together to split a pork burger and sit on a haystack, leaving halfway through the first bluegrass tune to carry a feverish Bee to the car. Preparing dinner parties for family friends moving far away. Stalled projects, afternoon runs. Toast crumbs to vacuum from the kitchen cabinet.
But also: toast.
Last week, in Louisville, I run into a woman named Mara on the street. We duck into a burger joint and I order her a combo, ask what else she needs for today.
Just some words, is what she said.
Me too, is what I thought.
Extra fries, please, we say to the cashier.
—
A Lorrie Moore quote from my journal:
“There was finally, I knew, only rupture and hurt and falling short between all persons, but the best revenge was to turn your life into a small gathering of miracles. If I could not be anchored and profound, I would try, at least, to be kind.”
Almost home? is what Scout asks in the car. When we turn into the neighborhood, when he passes the familiar corner maple. When we’re leaving the grocery, sacks in hand. When we’re on our way to church, the coffee shop, a park.
Almost home? with curious eyes.
Yes, I say.
But this morning, over a banana pancake and Aesop’s Fables at the table that Ken built, he puts his fork down and interrupts my mice impression to ask: Almost home?
We’re home now, I tell him.
Home now, he says, takes another syrupy bite.
Home now.
Profound, pure joy. Thank you for your words Erin. They matter more than my own could ever convey at this moment.
Thank you, Tina. :)
I love your beautiful words, Erin. I so look forward to getting a notice about a new essay in my inbox…to read in the dark before my own people are awake :-)
Thank you so much for telling me, Laura!!!!!! What a kind note to read!
Your simple stories of ordinary life are always so captivating. I wait for them in my inbox and would gladly accept a daily dose.
Thank you so much, friend.
Beautiful as always – thanks for sharing snippets of your life with us! The ‘Almost home?’ conversation with Scout is my favorite – toddlers can be so tricky, but they’re also the very best.
Thank you, sweet Ruth! Agreed on the toddlers! ;)
Out of place question I have been itching to ask……… Why are you pulling a bag of garbage on the cover of your book??? (I am 10 or 12 chapters into it, in case you reveal why, later in the book,) ~Nikki, the one with a drinking fountain longing to be put in this old farm house : )
Ha – it was a photo my publisher chose that we took a few years ago. But yes, you’ll see in a few chapters! Has to do with purging – both of things and of ideals. ;)
I read the nightengale and educated this past month too!
They were both so so so good!!!!!
Lovely! Missing your posts hope all is well and your just taking a sabbatical from technology, or writing your next book.
Oh thank you, Angel! All is well; just took a break from tech during a rare family vacation! It’s been lovely indeed. Back next week full steam ahead, renewed and restored. :)
Wondered the source of the Lorrie Moore quote as I loved it!
it’s from her book ‘anagrams’! :)
Thank you ❤️
Thank you ❤️
You’re so welcome!