Crafting to Keep from Crying
Currently reading:
Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson
Yes, I’m still reading this, desperately trying to finish before the book club meeting on the 11th. (Which I honestly may not go to at this point, because I’m . . . not loving this and I might just want a break this week.) It’s not holding me the way We Have Always Lived in the Castle and The Haunting of Hill House did. Anyone out there absolutely love this book and willing to give me a pep talk?
Books finished this week: 0
Library updates:
What a week. What a life. What a fucked country we live in. (I assume most people reading live in America.)
Technically, my dried flower obsession kicked off on Monday, when I went to Michaels in search of fake flowers and was reminded that the dried kind exist. I bought these orangey friends and was satisfied with my handiwork.
I had a pretty okay Monday, then settled in to put a dent in Hangsaman. Before I started reading, though, I opened Twitter and saw that yet another historical moment was unfolding. As with most of the others that have unfurled in the last decade, it was shitty again.
So I went to the Michaels website and bought a fuck ton more dried flowers.
I desperately hope our government does the right thing and makes Roe v. Wade the law of the land. But I also mostly doubt that will happen. I also don’t think any of the justices are going to change their minds, no matter what the people they supposedly represent say, think, or do. I’m not trying to be discouraging or pessimistic—I’ve donated to abortion funds and the Abortion Care Network (and will do more) and will be contacting my representatives. I’d love to do more, if any of you have other places at which to devote energy, time, and/or money.
I just also feel like I’m at a loss. I don’t know what to do anymore, in the face of a global pandemic and a war in Ukraine and the rights of millions being stripped away in America in perhaps a few weeks’ time.
So I arranged my dried flowers in assorted empty liquor bottles (lots of those from the start of the pandemic, let me tell you) when they arrived on Wednesday and felt a little better. I also started a new watercolor painting, which is something I’m still very new to and unpracticed in, but I’m working on it. Journaling helps, too—here and in the physical notebook I’m currently using. I’m not looking for validation. I feel a little selfish for doing my little craft projects and I feel selfish writing about it here. Is that weird?
Anyway, I don’t know what’s going to happen but I know we all have to do what we can. And by “we,” I mostly mean the politicians who control the government and yet refuse to do anything of real value to help or protect us.
Today is Mother’s Day in America, and I wish everyone who celebrates a lovely holiday. And for anyone who doesn’t celebrate, for whatever reason, know that however you feel on this day and in your relationship to your mother or parental figure is valid. I hope you take care of yourself.
There’s been scaffolding outside my apartment building for about a year and it came down this week. So maybe there is hope?
On a lighter note, I did also already break the rules of the project this week.
I bought a book. I’m so sorry.
But it’s for a good cause! I was lucky enough to be on the anthology committee of the Girls Write Now 2022 anthology, Taking Root. The anthology features writing from New York City girls and gender-expansive youth, and it was such a pleasure to read their work and edit some of those pieces. The book officially pubs on Tuesday, May 10, but you can preorder here.
Closing thoughts:
Focusing is very hard right now but I’m doing my best.
Total books read from the Moratorium Library: 0
(Total books added to the Library: 1) 😬
