Approaching normal?

Atlanta never really quarantined for COVID, but some things shut.

After the second week of school in August, I drove home and my gas light lit up. I pulled into a gas station, but I couldn’t figure out why I never used to get low, or where I used to fill up.

It took me two days before I remembered that I used to go to the Humane Society every weekend, and I’d fill up at the gas station beside it, so I never went below half a tank. But when COVID got bad here, the Humane Society closed the campus.

This weekend, for the first time in about a year, I went back to the Humane Society. They’re not reopening yet, but they’re murmuring about it, and they had an adoption event. 

I spent time with a few dogs including Alan, a spectacular, gracious older gentleman. 

And then I filled up my tank.

Wherever you are on the planet, I hope you can start doing the things you love again, too.

In writing news, some of you have read drafts of what I’m now calling A Killer Melody and sent feedback, which I really appreciate! I’ve incorporated your thoughts, and I think the manuscript is much better for it. It’s very different than what it was in November or December.

I’m currently researching a lot about self publishing, because it’s what almost all the authors I admire are doing, and I’ve gotten advice to head that way. Like most choices, it’s both exciting and frightening. I’ll keep you updated, and thank you for all of your help!

Mountains Beyond Mountains

Hey y’all,

It seems stupid and frivolous to be talking about made-up stories when there is so much pain right now. Atlanta has been under curfew for days, and my sister-in-law shares videos of protest marches on the street outside her home. Hopefully the powers that be will take note this time… (PSA: Elections are happening in a lot of places right now. Vote!)

But this morning, I went walking, and one of my neighbors set two buckets of sidewalk chalk in their driveway, with rhyming instructions to brighten our city. And when I shared my latest story with a friend yesterday, she said she was glad for it. So I’m putting it here.

Jolichanga’s Fury doesn’t really have anything to do with what’s going on now, except in that it’s about courage, and love, and change. It takes place in the not-quite-Himalayas, and it’s on the longer side. It is, I think, mostly happy, but you can decide that for yourself.

I hope you’re all doing well — even (especially) if that means a little civil disobedience.

Body Bound

Hi everyone!

I hope you and your families are all doing well. Whether you’re locked in your apartment or taking care of patients or helping keep grocery stores open, thank you, and I hope this little handful of a story brings you some joy.

Body Bound is featured today on fresh.ink (which will email you a short story every day if you sign up). It’s an oldie of mine, and super short.

I hope you like it, and stay safe!

It’s her birthday!

p.s. Shout-out to the amazing woman at PetSmart who brought a new collar to the car when Murphy’s broke yesterday!

Other People’s Clothing

Happy leap-year weekend, everyone! I hope the end of February is good wherever you are.

In Atlanta, we’ve got America’s best marathon runners racing tomorrow in the Olympic marathon trials, and I’m psyched to go cheer on some of my favorite athletes. I’ve also been watching Netflix’s “Love is Blind,” which is eye-bleedingly trashy and delightful, and ordering face masks on Amazon so I can ward off COVID-19.

In even more exciting news, the underwear story is out at Maudlin House! It’s wacky, weird, and fun, if I do say so myself. I hope you enjoy it!