Midweek Reset

I’ve managed to miss Wednesday this week, so we’ll reset on Thursday instead! Yesterday I had my first day as a substitute teacher in Nova Scotia, and my first day back in the classroom since pre-Covid. That experience definitely warrants a Thursday reset. Middle school is a wild place…

If you’re following along on Instagram, you might have seen me trying out our family’s new vacuum – it works on carpet and hard floors, and lets you see the dirt as you go. We have a pretty clean house, but this was very satisfying and really makes you want to vacuum! (sort of). Because I have a cat, I’m also a very big fan of my Shark robot vacuum that I call Glen. Really naming the thing is half the fun – my family will say “We lost Glen” or “Glen did a great job in the living room” or “I put Glen in your room earlier” and that’s good for a little chuckle.

I use my public library often; it’s small and quaint and you can see from one end to the other regardless of where you stand. I recently observed an awkward moment between a librarian and a patron. The patron appeared to be perhaps a bit on edge; maybe having a weird day, or perhaps not mentally well. The librarian was calm and pleasant, and though she seemed a bit tense, didn’t put him off or respond negatively. Later that week, I came upon this article about libraries and librarians that seemed apt. The author writes: “We want, and need, institutions that embody hope—now more than ever. Public libraries, maybe above all else, have a long history of providing just that. And there is deep and resounding hope in libraries and  library work. But if that hope expects to grow and evolve, it is essential that a full and accurate story be told.”

Speaking of libraries, this book I borrowed was absolutely excellent, and went from generic family-life story (a fine genre in itself) to psychological thriller in a neat little twist. I am particularly drawn to the descriptions of art in books or in text. In this novel, one little boy draws and paints cityscapes of New York. He often includes in his art an older man with a beard, Dave, and his cat, Durango. At one point, the father describes “a small picture he had done of Dave with Durango. It was more humorous than many of the pictures of Dave. The old man was sleeping on the sofa with a newspaper over his face while the cat licked his naked toes.” I think I’d almost prefer to read other people’s descriptions of art (real or fictitious) than actually see the art in reality.

I love when the dancers at the Debbie Allen school pop up on my Instagram. They are rehearsing for their Hot Chocolate Nutcracker and it’s just adorable and beautiful.

The jazzy and colourful interiors of this home were vibing with me this week.

And check out these beautiful towns in Wales if you need a bit of wanderlust this week.

Have a lovely weekend.