September

It finally feels like fall! I had high hopes for this month but October’s nearly here and my To Do list hasn’t changed much. I got back from Toronto on Tuesday and ate half a box of candy…even though I vowed to lay off sweets after seeing my A1C go up again. I’ll have to go back on statins since my cholesterol spiked when I went off them in January, and my potassium levels are high—so no more banana bread. I didn’t get to talk to my doctor before she went on vacation so I’m waiting for her call now and suspect I know what she’s going to say. I knew my iron was low and picked up a bottle of Floradix but will probably need another supplement. I just need to do better! I exercise regularly and my weight is okay but these numbers remind me that good health takes conscientious living. I’ve had the blues for most of this year, which is unusual; I blame menopause but will take responsibility and stop self-medicating with sweets. I’ve ordered in a lot, too, and so will try to cook more often this fall. I make poor choices when I travel and I’ve been taking more trips this year. The Telling Tales book festival was wonderful despite the rain, and I got to see my mother a couple of times before her ward shut down due to COVID exposures. She’s working at feeding herself and not using a tube for nourishment or medication; hopefully we’ll see some progress. My school visit on Tuesday went well; my publisher arranged everything and I got to the school early to sign the hundred books provided for students by First Book Canada. Quick-thinking teachers solved the technical troubles that came up, my new laptop’s battery lasted the whole weekend (I forgot to pack the charger), and the beautifully diverse students were fully engaged. I didn’t try to squeeze a lot into my down time but still came home tired—that could be the anemia. I remembered to bring my US passport this time so had no trouble getting back into the country. Dentist yesterday morning, story time in a Bronzeville garden yesterday evening. Contractor came by today to give me an estimate and it took him so long to take notes on the two bathrooms…I’m sort of dreading his estimate. But he’s the only one who even returned my call and I need to get some work done sooner rather than later since the radiators came on today and the one in my office leaks. It’s brisk here in Chicago! This is the weather I’ve been waiting for and I’m happy to bundle up when I go outside or curl up under a blanket while watching TV. I keep reminding myself that I didn’t squander the summer but I’m between books now, have turned in all my edits, and need to dive into something new. My flights to and from Glasgow were canceled so I had to move my trip up. I’ve now heard back from two Scottish publishers with whom I shared “Blue Boy;” both have been polite but my illustrator seems to have dropped off the map. I don’t expect everything to magically fall into place once I return to Glasgow but it would be great to meet some folks in person. I’ve scheduled another walking tour and hope to line up one school visit. I’m flying through Dublin to avoid the chaos at Heathrow. One editor warned me that it’s already cold so I’ll be prepared for the weather this time around. Saw this thistle atop a lakefront planter in Toronto and it reminded me of the brooch I bought last month. Bre won’t be there when I return to Glasgow so I’ll have to push myself to connect and build community. And not stuff myself with shortbread…