Happy May, readers!
It has been a couple of months since my last entry, which means it is time for a new post! With it comes a life update, a writing update, and a Letters from Marilyn update.
To be honest: I'm exhausted. I love education, but these past few months especially have worn me out. I've spent the past thirteen straight weeks implementing brand-new units. As a surprise to no one, I took on too much, put in a lot of evening and weekend hours, and thus upset my work/life balance. The end result: yes, I'm tired.
But onward and upward, loves. I promise I'm taking some time to slow down. While my extroverted self enjoys all the busy-ness, my introvert heart needs time to rest. Come find me at the end of June, whether you're family, friend, or acquaintance. With the school year done in 13 days and a few roadtrips planned for the start of summer, I know I'll be much more relaxed.
I'll admit I haven't been writing as much as I should be: I've been trying to soak in as much of spring as my time allows. I love spring. I get very nostalgic this time of year and find myself missing the country more than usual. The flowering trees are blossoming, and I can't help but think of the apple trees we had in our spacious country yard. Soon the lilacs will be blooming. When I see them as I'm driving around town, it always brings a wistfulness to my heart. My twelve-year-old self remembers the long drive down the gravel road to the farm. The huge cottonwood tree at the front of the house, framed by three varieties of lilacs - deep purple, pale lavender, and the purest white.
I've been outside as much as possible and have been on a few country drives south. It is always hard to return to my small apartment, because I've always hated being cooped up. I'm not home often as a result, especially when the weather gets nicer.
All this springtime joy is reflected in today's writing excerpt. Marilyn wrote home often about how beautiful spring was in the Cities. I've kept today's excerpt small on purpose - I am slowly but surely getting closer to a complete manuscript, and what fun would it be if I share everything with you? Should this ever be published, I'd like you to read the full story!
But before you read the linked pages, you need to know a few things. This excerpt is a combination of events from February to April of 1952, Marilyn's sophomore year. The mention of the lilacs, peonies, and Rose of China trees are Marilyn's words in her letters. The Tea Leaves is a restaurant she wrote about. Guests would visit the establishment, have a cup of tea with dinner, and a fortune teller would read their fortunes from the tea leaves (hence the name). I was not able to find any research on The Tea Leaves at the time I wrote these chapters, so I had to use my imagination. Marilyn's letter details more about her fortune, but as I mentioned: you'll have to read the rest of this chapter upon publication someday!
Here are the pages. Have some tea, read, and enjoy the spring sunshine, dear readers. Love always.
But onward and upward, loves. I promise I'm taking some time to slow down. While my extroverted self enjoys all the busy-ness, my introvert heart needs time to rest. Come find me at the end of June, whether you're family, friend, or acquaintance. With the school year done in 13 days and a few roadtrips planned for the start of summer, I know I'll be much more relaxed.
I'll admit I haven't been writing as much as I should be: I've been trying to soak in as much of spring as my time allows. I love spring. I get very nostalgic this time of year and find myself missing the country more than usual. The flowering trees are blossoming, and I can't help but think of the apple trees we had in our spacious country yard. Soon the lilacs will be blooming. When I see them as I'm driving around town, it always brings a wistfulness to my heart. My twelve-year-old self remembers the long drive down the gravel road to the farm. The huge cottonwood tree at the front of the house, framed by three varieties of lilacs - deep purple, pale lavender, and the purest white.
I've been outside as much as possible and have been on a few country drives south. It is always hard to return to my small apartment, because I've always hated being cooped up. I'm not home often as a result, especially when the weather gets nicer.
All this springtime joy is reflected in today's writing excerpt. Marilyn wrote home often about how beautiful spring was in the Cities. I've kept today's excerpt small on purpose - I am slowly but surely getting closer to a complete manuscript, and what fun would it be if I share everything with you? Should this ever be published, I'd like you to read the full story!
But before you read the linked pages, you need to know a few things. This excerpt is a combination of events from February to April of 1952, Marilyn's sophomore year. The mention of the lilacs, peonies, and Rose of China trees are Marilyn's words in her letters. The Tea Leaves is a restaurant she wrote about. Guests would visit the establishment, have a cup of tea with dinner, and a fortune teller would read their fortunes from the tea leaves (hence the name). I was not able to find any research on The Tea Leaves at the time I wrote these chapters, so I had to use my imagination. Marilyn's letter details more about her fortune, but as I mentioned: you'll have to read the rest of this chapter upon publication someday!
Here are the pages. Have some tea, read, and enjoy the spring sunshine, dear readers. Love always.
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