If I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself
I would find a way
Dearest readers,
I am typing to you with an iced coffee and an egg mcmuffin from mcdonalds, feeling like I am winning at some version of the american dream. I have my music, and although I have chores to do, I am not doing them. Two of my friends from the neighborhood are coming over for lunch, and I need to make pasta salad, and do a quick tidy up, but it has taken me awhile to get into the typing seat, so I want to take advantage of that momentum.
The world outside my house continues to be an inhospitable place. What the actual fuck is this country thinking? As a person who can definitely fall into a spinning cycle of negative thoughts, I have been trying to ignore the fact that legislation was passed that significantly increases the likelihood of Augie and I ending life unhoused, without medical insurance or community supports.1 But I can’t let that get stuck in my head, I have to hope that somehow things turn around.
“The assault of noise and unsolicited messages on people’s souls seems to me to create an environment of violence quite akin to how aggression and war hurt innocent bystanders, those poor non-combatants caught in fights not of their own making.” - Ursula Franklin2
I hate to even complain (I actually feel like I am whining), because I know that everyone reading this is probably struggling too. I can’t imagine that any Rump supporters are still following me.
With all of this going on, it was a snap to (emotionally) fall right into our weather related tragedy in Texas. It all happened about an hour from here, even closer to where I moved from. I grew up adjacent to the kids of families that send girls to camp mystic every summer, I went to summer camp myself in another part of the hill country. It would feel inappropriate to spend several sleepless nights worrying about complete strangers, except that Texas is so dang dramatic, I felt right at home. I am really impressed with the response, it appears that donations and volunteers are plentiful. The scope of the destruction seems overwhelming in photos, I can’t imagine what it must be like on the ground there. It is ALL I CAN DO to stop myself from rushing out to rescue the poor bedraggled cats and dogs.
So my mind has felt occupied with sadness and worry and I have let myself lose the plot with some of my summer challenges. I have a lot of homework to catch up on for the Making Comics read-along, and my poor illustrated journal is only getting minimal attention. I am ALL IN on the ICAD though. Who knew? I will post of some of my favorites below, if you want to see the complete collection, click here.
I read a few interesting books since my last post. The most memorable was a graphic novel called Here, by Richard McGuire. The story tells the history of the corner of a room, or is it a geographic location that becomes the corner of a room, because the time line includes dinosaurs. It honestly hurt my brain to read it, and I can’t even imagine what the motion picture is like, but I was really impressed with the idea and the way he put it together.
I also read a YA Fantasy novel called Heartless Hunter, by Kristen Ciccarelli. It was ok, but I don’t know if I will continue reading the series. I found this great book called Observe, Collect, Draw! at the library. I haven’t finished it, but so far it has provided some amazing ways to include data from life into an illustrated journal. It might be one I need to purchase for reference. I started reading the Briar Club, by Kate Quinn, and I am enjoying it so far.
The other project I have begun, but not completed, is designing a website. I am experiencing a mixture of technological inexperience and imposter syndrome, so I haven’t gotten far. My brain is telling me it would be so much easier if I could just do it on paper! Which clearly means I need to make, at minimum, a draft on paper. This is an ongoing goal, and I am accepting any and all advice on it. I miss books on things like this. I know rationally that tech offerings change too fast to write The Dummies Guide to SquareSpace, but I would buy it.
Some of you will recall that Amy from Illustrated Life is continuing to put out her monthly postcard prompts. Last month’s prompt had to do with rainbows, and this month it is about maps!
I unfortunately tore one of my rainbow postcards trying to detach it from the block, so I need to get that mended before I mail it off. Actually, it just occurred to me that I could perhaps borrow some inspiration from my friend Tammy at Daisy Yellow…
Have you seen the film Here?3
Have you read any interesting books lately?
Do you have a website?
Would getting a postcard improve your life? If so, message me your address.
As always, I hope everyone is hanging in there. Let me know if you need anything and thank you for taking the time to read my random babbling!
Love, Laura
For those that don’t know, my younger son is Autistic. He also has an eating disorder called ARFID and Crohn’s Disease. He is currently on his dad’s insurance, but would qualify for medicaid and SSDI when he turns 18. This has never been guaranteed of course, but it definitely seemed more likely before the big bastard bill passed.
I found this amazing quote in Austin Kleon’s Friday Newsletter.
The Guardian said “the cursed Forrest Gump reunion is a total horror show,” and I don’t think they meant the genre. I don’t know if I will watch it.
So much going on, and I’m sorry about the loads of worry and fear. I am glad ICAD has reeled you in as a creative project. Don’t worry about other things (creative things you aren’t getting to). Just do what you most enjoy. It’s a great series!
Sounds like maybe you haven’t seen Dear Data? It’s an absolutely awesome postcard exchange. The book you mention came after that. For some reason (in all these years), my library never got that one. If you can pull Dear Data, worth a look. Your rainbow cards are beautiful.
>Have you seen the film Here?
Yeah, and liked it, sorta. Had a hard time following it in some places, and it made me feel a bit clausto....
>Have you read any interesting books lately?
Still reading the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson.
>Do you have a website?
God, no. Can barely keep up with a couple Facebook pages, and my Substack blog just barely. I WILL do better, tho. I WILL!
>Would getting a postcard improve your life? If so, message me your address.
I think you sent me one before, about trees? It was thoroughly delightful, and I'd love another one if you have time!
Hang in there, Laura. I know it's pretty grim. Try to take each day as it comes and not worry too much, projecting about the future. A good portion of what we worry about never comes to pass, I've found.