dust

Everything in the apartment is covered in a thin layer of dust. My painter goes to great lengths to seal off the room he’s working in but despite his best efforts, plaster dust travels past sheets of plastic to settle everywhere. Wipe once, and there will be streaks. Same with mopping. I woke up with a migraine this morning so I’m just puttering around the apartment, wiping at the dust with a wet cloth, waiting, going back to wipe the surface again. I have three appointments today so hope to be fully operational by noon. There’s an eclipse coming this week and my horoscope suggests I “go dark” in order to “recharge, refuel, regenerate.” I’m definitely ready to hibernate but it’s hard when my home is still so disordered. I thought the dining room was done and planned to rearrange the furniture but now white spots are showing through the black paint…I think the painter has applied three coats already but maybe a fourth will be required. The office is still off limits so that leaves the kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Just heated up some soup, feel ready for a nap, and will hopefully be more alert for my phone conference and zoom. The Global Read Aloud international raffle produced a winner in Kenya! Looking forward to meeting those young readers soon. I heard from a school in Alaska last week and arranged to meet them next month; I saw on Twitter today that classes are sending postcards to one another and some plan to read the sequel together as well. I love that these GRA connections are being extended…I imagine many children have felt quite isolated during the pandemic and are eager to connect—with and without screens. Plans for the January launch of The Witch’s Apprentice are underway and I’m meeting this week with my publicist in Toronto. I need to make the most of the next few weeks because I think the new year is going to be busy…hopefully by then my apartment will be dust-free!