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Weekly Roundup: December 16, 2022

I keep thinking of that Counting Crows song “Long December” because this December feels particularly long. Just me? All parents of young children? Everyone?

Quote of the week:
“We shake with joy, we shake with grief. What a time they have, these two housed as they are in the same body.” –Mary Oliver

What I’m reading:
Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but it’s been very enjoyable.

What I’m listening to:
I just started The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid on my run this morning. Loving it. Earlier this week, I listened to Ronit Plank’s memoir, When She Comes Back, which was great.

What I’m watching:
At the request of a few work colleagues, I started watching The White Lotus on HBO last night. I am late to this party, but I’m glad I came. I also watched The Swimmers on Netflix–great movie based on a real story of two sisters who leave behind their home in Syria for a chance at a better life.

Writing news:
I’ve been working away at some book updates. Editing is so weird. I was very confident my latest manuscript was DONE a few months ago and now, as I re-read it, I see so many places that need work. I should have another “done” version in a week or so.

What I’m talking about:

The 10th anniversary of Sandy Hook. It is distressing that so little has been done in the past decade to prevent this from happening again. Twenty six-year-olds were killed. TWENTY SIX-YEAR-OLDS. If this didn’t immediately lead to gun restrictions, I don’t know what willThe death of Stephen “tWitch” Boss. Thinking of the pain he must have been in, and the pain of his family, puts a lump in my throat. It’s been hard to see some comments online about his act being selfish. I liked the quote Glennon Doyle shared, from Warsan Shire, writing on refugees: “you have to understand… no one… (leaves home) unless the water is safer than the land” President Biden signing the Respect for Marriage Act on Tuesday, enshrining federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages into federal law for the first time. This good news was very much needed

Interesting things I learned this week:

The 5-star scale to rate hotels began in 1979South Korea is adopting the “international system” for calculating age (which states that a person is age 0 at birth and then age 1 a year to the day after their birth). Currently in South Korea, the most common way to calculate age is where a baby is age 1 at birth and then turns a year older on January 1, regardless of the date of birth (so, a child born on December 31, 2021, turned 2 years old on January 2, 2022)Oregon has a million acres of dead trees (due to drought)“Embargo” spelled backwards is “o grab me”Between 2003 and 2019, the aggregate time-spent-alone went from 43.5% to 48.7%, according to the American Time Use survey. Between 2019 and 2021, it went up to 50.5%. By 2019, the average American spent only 4 hours per week with friends (a sharp 37% decline from five years before, probably due to the proliferation of smartphones). As of last year, the average American spent less than 3 hours per week with friendsVelociraptors weighed less than 35 lbs, contrary to their scary depiction in mediaThe combined weight of all humans currently living on earth is around 385 million tons. The combined weight of our livestock is 800 million tons. The combined weight of every other mammal and bird on earth is less than 100 million tonsEvery year, between 250,000 and 350,000 people gather to watch the Indy 500, making it the largest annual non-religious gathering of human beings on earthThe term “knocked up” comes from the 1800s, when the price of an enslaved African woman was “knocked up” by the auctioneer when she was pregnantDictionary.com’s word of the year is “woman.” Apparently, searches for the word on Dictionary.com doubled this past year versus previous yearsThe most common keys on the keyboard are typed with the left handSnakes have clitorises (thank you to Stephen Colbert for enlightening the nation on this very important fact)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Bald-faced lie.” I was using this term in my new manuscript and then I thought, “wait, is that right? Bald-faced?” So I googled. Apparently, “bold-faced” is also used, but “bald-faced” is the preferred term (read here).

What I’m grateful for:

Writing. It is my greatest anti-depressant. I’ve been a little down with the holiday season–second one without my dad, first one since my divorce–and writing continues to be a reliable mood-lifterRunning, my other great anti-depressant. I wasn’t planning to sign up for any races soon, but I may do a half marathon in February. I’ll see if I stay healthy!A mostly healthy household. We dealt with a minor cold this week, but have been spared the other big things going around (so far… I probably just jinxed it)

Snapshots:

My best friend got me this sweatshirt and it speaks truth. Cali Christmas. We had a couple days of rain (so nice!) and a few magnificent rainbows. I have a lot of cuteness in my life.

The post Weekly Roundup: December 16, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: December 9, 2022

I know I said last week that I was alarmed that it was December, but now I feel like it should be the end of December. My daughter has seen Santa four times already. I guess this is why they call it the holiday “season.” Okay, let’s get into this week’s roundup!

Quote of the week:
“You do not have to choose
one or the other: a dream or a dreamer, the
bird or the birder. You may be a woman of
commotion and quiet. Magic and brain.

You can be a mother and a poet. A wife and
a lover. You can dance on the graves you dug
on Tuesday, pulling out the bones of yourself
you began to miss.”
― Kate Baer, What Kind of Woman

What I’m reading:
I’m in the middle of Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng and loving it. Her books are always winners with me. I also read a delightful book of poetry this week―What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer.

What I’m listening to:
This week, I listened to Rob Delaney’s memoir about his young son’s death, A Heart That Works. I cried. It’s such a wonderful, heartbreaking book. Read it to remind yourself of what being human is all about. Now, I’m listening to Ronit Plank’s memoir, When She Comes Back. It’s been on my list for an embarrassingly long time and I’m so glad to be getting into it!

What I’m watching:
I watched Stutz, Jonah Hill’s documentary about his therapist. If you’re new to therapy, this is a good intro to what it can offer you. I needed something light too, so I watched The People We Hate at the Wedding. Can’t go wrong with Kristen Bell and Allison Janney.

Writing news:
I got some feedback on my latest manuscript this week, so I’m working on edits to incorporate that feedback. It’s been nice to get back into it after several weeks of taking a break. I think it’s almost “done” (which is always, always in quotes).

What I’m talking about:

The release of Brittney Griner. FINALLY!Joe Manchin single-handedly shutting down federal paid leave. Thanks, Joe. The fact that this country does not offer paid leave continues to be appallingPutin signing a law banning any expression of LGBTQ+ identity and criminalizing “propaganda” for non-traditional sexual relationships. This sounds very old world, but I worry this type of extremism is coming to the US. Currently, there are 15 states that have bills proposed to prohibit or limit discussion of gender and sexuality in schools… The Trump Organization being convicted of tax fraud and other financial crimes. Again: FINALLY!The Georgia runoff election. WOOHOO! I’m disturbed by how many Georgians thought that Herschel Walker should represent their state, but so happy that Raphael Warnock pulled out the victoryThe House’s final approval of legislation to mandate federal recognition for same-sex marriages. Again: FINALLY!

Interesting things I learned this week:

Human experiential memory begins around 4.7 years of ageWe unconsciously swallow a liter or so of saliva per dayEvery minute or so, we take more pictures than all of humanity in the 19th century

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Goblin mode.” Apparently, this is the Oxford word of the year for 2022. First of all, it’s a term, not a word, but okay. I had no idea what it meant, which made me feel very old. Upon googling, I see this is the meaning, per Oxford: “a type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations.” Still not sure how I would use it in a sentence and am quite certain I never will use it in a sentence.

What I’m grateful for:

Continued health. Knock on wood. I know COVID cases are increasing in lots of places… YikesGreat-feeling runs lately. I’m not officially training for anything at the moment and enjoying running according to what feels goodAlmost finished with holiday shopping…and I successfully assembled a Barbie Dreamhouse last night (#momsgonewild)

Snapshots:

Took my daughter to see a performance of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and they had this art installation that I loved. Breaking out the tree ornaments and always happy to see this one. Another week with glorious morning runs. Love me some ominous clouds. Bird friends. Not sure my daughter realizes how lucky she is to live near views like this. Doggie continues to be adorbs. Festive family time.

The post Weekly Roundup: December 9, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: December 2, 2022

Well, it’s again that time when I express profound amazement at the beginning of another month. It’s already December?! The elf is on the shelf and the chocolate-window calendar (as my daughter calls it) has been deployed. We are officially in holiday mode. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving (that feels like three months ago now, doesn’t it?).

Quote of the week:
“When things fall apart and we’re on the verge of we know not what, the test for each of us is to stay on that brink and not concretize. To stay with shakiness—to stay with a broken heart, with a rumbling stomach, with the feeling of hopelessness and wanting to get revenge—that is the path of true awakening.” –Pema Chödrön

What I’m reading:
I’m almost done with The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird. It’s about a pandemic involving a virus that only kills men. This novel may trigger PTSD in some. It definitely brought me back to the panic mode of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, a good book.

What I’m listening to:
I listened to Women Talking by Miriam Toews last week (now the movie is on my list). I wanted something totally different this week so I picked And Now We Have Everything: On Motherhood Before I Was Ready by Meaghan O’Connell. Any new mom should read this one!

What I’m watching:
Just finished the last season of Dead to Me on Netflix. The mix of drama and humor on this show is top-notch. I’ll miss it! Over the holiday break, I saw Strange World with my daughter. It was all about adjusting our human behaviors to protect the Earth, though this message may have been lost on the young ones. I asked my daughter what it was about and she said, “friendship.” That was also in there so I’ll take it.

Writing news:
Nothing to report this week!

What I’m talking about:

The passing of the Respect for Marriage Act. We needed some good news! I’m disturbed by the 36 Republicans who voted against it, but going to celebrate for nowAll the mass shootings. More than 600 so far this year… University of Virginia, Club Q, Walmart… I really don’t know what it will take before serious legislation is actualized. This is just too muchAntisemitism. What the actual eff is going on? I cannot believe we are living in a world where people (eg, Kanye) are suggesting that Hitler was a good person and that the Holocaust did not happen. I’m just horrified, honestly. Trump having dinner with Kanye and Nick Fuentes is just amplifying hate. It needs to stopThe downfall of Twitter. Once again, what the actual eff is going on? I give it two months before Twitter is officially done. Thanks, Elon, for ruining it

Interesting things I learned this week:

Humans shed 70+ pounds of skin over their lifetime (and 500 million skin cells every minute!)“Gaslighting” is the Merriam-Webster word of the yearPantone’s color of the year for 2023 is Viva MagentaThe world’s smallest possum, thought to be extinct after bushfires in Australia, was found on Kangaroo Island. It’s the cutest thing ever, as you can see here

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Grinch dog.” I couldn’t remember his name. It’s Max. I also thought our new doggie resembles the Grinch dog but their ears are totally different. On a related note, the doggie DNA test is in and our pup is 55% Chihuahua, 15% Poodle, 7% Shih Tzu, 5% Lhasa Apso, 4% American Eskimo dog, 3% Maltese, and less than 2% of a handful of other things (including Boxer and Dalmatian…???).

What I’m grateful for:

Health in the midst of the current Covid/flu/RSV tri-demic. I think we already had RSV, had Covid over summer (and got boosted since then)… We are vaccinated against the flu, so fingers crossedHoliday lights in the neighborhood. Always brightens my moodLive theater, museum visit, 10K race—lots of fun things lately (see below)My first in-person yoga class in more than a year

Snapshots from the past couple weeks:

This guy is known as The Bubble Guy locally and he is amazing. Doggie continues to be the sweetest little thing. Successful 10K Turkey Trot. Finished in 44:39 for 3rd in my age group. Took my daughter to this. SO GOOD! Beach shot of the week. Handsome kitty trying to cover all my keyboards. More theater! Another great show! Orange County Museum of Art with my mom. One of my favorite paintings in the “13 Women” exhibit. This puzzle was so much fun! Highly recommend for book lovers. Got it here. Sometimes I take selfies in the light so I can see the auburn strands I inherited from my dad.

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Weekly Roundup: November 18, 2022

Happy Friday! I don’t plan on doing a roundup next week while I’m enjoying holiday time with my family, so I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

Quote of the week:
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here is one of my favorite quotes on gratitude:
“…the more you become a connoisseur of gratitude, the less you are a victim of resentment, depression, and despair. Gratitude will act as an elixir that will gradually dissolve the hard shell of your ego—your need to possess and control—and transform you into a generous being. The sense of gratitude produces true spiritual alchemy, makes us magnanimous—large souled.” –Sam Keen

What I’m reading:
Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli. Liking it so far.

What I’m listening to:
I’m just about to finish Good Morning, Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery by Catherine Gildiner. If you’re into psychology and case studies, you’ll like this one.

What I’m watching:
I watched a couple movies this past week. I saw Smile in the theater (I love horror movies!) and I watched Don’t Worry Darling at home (which I really liked; not sure why it got panned). I started the third season of Dead to Me last night, and I’m also watching Aftershock: Everest and the Nepal Earthquake.

Writing news:
Nothing right now, but I think 2023 will be an exciting year.

What I’m talking about:

Love languages! I listened to this great episode on Glennon Doyle’s podcast which talks about how the 5 traditional love languages are really quite limiting. All of us have unique ways we want to feel loved. One of my love languages is people reading my blog and being curious about my random thoughts (so, thank you!)Trump announcing he’ll run in 2024. Barf. It gives me some comfort that his announcement was a flop, but I still worry about the craziness of the next election cycle and how that will affect our already-divided countryThe University of Virginia shooting. I’m so sick of these tragedies and I can’t stop thinking of the families who are left to mourn. It’s senseless and I don’t know when enough will be enoughThe ongoing uprising in Iran. It’s been more than two months now, with more than 16,000 people detained. Nearly 400 protesters have been killed (including more than 50 children). Two weeks ago, the majority of Iran’s parliament signed an open letter to the country’s judiciary asking that it issue death sentences to protesters who have been arrested. So far, 21 people have been charged with crimes that carry the death penalty. Visit mideastmatters.carrd.co for ways you can help

Interesting things I learned this week:

The world population hit 8 billion this past week. In the past 12 years alone, 1 billion people have joined the planetMore than 100,000 Americans missed work in October due to childcare problems. That’s an all-time high, even greater than during the height of the pandemic. The viruses going around right now are NUTSAn 11-year-old British Muslim boy outscored the IQ of Einstein and Stephen Hawking (read here)During Trump’s presidency, hate crimes increased by about 20%

Since Thanksgiving is next week, I also wanted to share some facts I learned while researching “Truthsgiving,” coined by Indigenous activist Christine Nobiss who decided she’d had enough with whitewashed history. Here are some truths:

While records indicate there was a “first Thanksgiving” in 1621 between the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag tribe, there is no evidence the Wampanoag people were even invited. Some experts believe those present were an army sent by Wampanoag leader Ousamequin at the sound of gunshots (which were part of the celebration)In their first encounter with the Wampanoag people, the Pilgrims stole from the tribe’s winter provisionsAn alliance was formed between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, but only because Ousamequin thought it was needed for survival after his people were ravaged by diseases brought by European colonizersThe first harvest was followed by deadly conflicts between colonizers and Native people. The Europeans seized Native lands and imprisoned, enslaved, and executed Native peopleFollowing “Thanksgiving” celebrations by European settlers often marked brutal victories over Native people, like the Pequot Massacre of 1636 or the beheading of Wampanoag leader Metacom in 1676

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“How many palm trees are in Palm Springs?” My daughter and I were counting the palm trees on our street and I wondered how many are in Palm Springs, arguably the palm tree capital. According to google, there are 6,000!

What I’m grateful for:

Beautiful weather in CaliforniaNo sicknesses in my household currently (I probably just jinxed it)Mellow Thanksgiving plans—I don’t even think there will be cooking involvedLots of pet snuggles (the new puppy is lovebug)

A few snapshots:

A typical procrastinating-from-work selfie Rosie girl is doing well. Her DNA results are pending! Winter in California is pretty glorious. See previous caption. I mean… ‘Tis the season

The post Weekly Roundup: November 18, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: November 11, 2022

It’s 11-11-22. How often does the month + the date = the year? Is there a math person who can weigh in on this?

Quote of the week:
“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.” –Helena Bonham Carter

What I’m reading:
We Are the Light by Matthew Quick. He wrote The Silver Linings Playbook and I loved that one. I’m liking his new one so far.

What I’m listening to:
Good Morning, Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery by Catherine Gildiner. Love me some psychology.

What I’m watching:
Big news–I watched an actual movie this past week! I was out of town to run a race last weekend, meaning I had alone time in a hotel room, which was exquisite. I watched The Good Nurse on Netflix. I thought it was very well done. I read the book it’s based on some years back and I thought they did a good job taking the book to screen.

Writing news:
No news this week! I’m in a waiting phase and hoping to have news to share soon!

What I’m talking about:
Same as last week–THE MIDTERMS! Overall, I’m happy. Many of the Trump-backed politicians were not successful (if Dr. Oz would have won, I think I would have fainted). All five states with abortion on the ballot voted to increase access. Women had some big wins: Aruna Miller made history as the first South Asian woman elected lieutenant governor in the U.S.; Andrea Campbell is Massachusetts’ first Black woman attorney general; Becca Balint is Vermont’s first woman, first LGBTQ+ representative in Congress; Kathy Hochul is the first woman elected NY Governor; Leigh Finke is the first trans person ever elected to the Minnesota State Legislature; Maura Healey is the first woman governor in Massachusetts; Summer Lee is the first Black woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania; Zooey Zephyr is the first trans person elected to the Montana State Legislature. It’s also heartening to see so many young, Gen Z voters show up. There’s no way some these backwards policies will survive with the young people who are becoming politically active.

While the “Red Wave” was not the tsunami people predicted, there were still lots of right-wing wins. The Republicans will likely take the House. Senate is too close to call. We will have to see how it all plays out…

I’m not ready to talk about Trump’s plan to run in 2024. I might never be ready to talk about that.

Interesting things I learned this week:

Women have voted more than men in every election since 1980Armadillos nearly always give birth to identical quadruplets Nintendo was founded in 1889 (as a trading card company)A million seconds is about 11 daysParents who have to take off work to take care of sick kids (or otherwise deal with childcare issues) cost American businesses $3 billion a year. On a related note, this country really needs subsidized day care In the U.S., 20-35% of working women who give birth never return to their previous job. Again, subsidized day care would help with this

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“France last guillotine execution.” I had heard that they were still using the guillotine in the 1970s and I thought there was no way that could be true… but IT IS! The last guillotine execution was in 1977.

What I’m grateful for:

A successful half marathon! I ran a race in Ventura this past Sunday and I felt healthy and strong. I finished in 1:37:57 for 3rd woman overall and 1st in my age group!Puppy pee pads. Without them, my house would be way more of a mess than it is. And, yes, we’ve officially adopted Rosie (vet confirmed no microchip). I just ordered a doggie DNA test because I’m a nerd like that. I’m pretty sure she’s a “snorkie” (schnauzer/yorkie mix)A dinner date with my friend, Steph. Between working (a lot) and being a mom (to a 5-year-old and a new puppy), I don’t get out much. It’s such a treat when I do

A few snapshots:

Little Miss Rosie Obligatory post-race selfie Another beautiful morning

The post Weekly Roundup: November 11, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: November 4, 2022

Here we are in November! That means it’s voting time. Please get out there on November 8!

Quote of the week:
“Reading has been my favorite thing to do since I learned how to do it. As long as I can read, I can unlock the secrets of the world. It’s my best superpower.” –Ruth Ann Harnisch

What I’m reading:
I’ve got a couple books going–The Position by Meg Wolitzer and Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg.

What I’m listening to:
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen.

What I’m watching:
Nothing. It’s been one of the busiest work weeks I’ve had in a long time so I haven’t had the energy to stay up and watch a show.

Writing news:
Cherry Blossoms, my second novel, turned 3! There’s a great team working to get this one to the big screen—will keep you posted on developments!

What I’m talking about:
THE MIDTERMS! This is a big one. I’m rooting for democracy. VOTE VOTE VOTE.

Interesting things I learned this week:

Only queen ants lay eggs (up to 1,000 a day!)New Zealand has more cats per capita than any other country (another reason why I’m a fan)In 1971, 80% of third graders walked to school alone. By 1990, only 7% didThe CDC predicts that by 2040, white people will no longer be the majority demographicIn the US, 58% of companies offer some maternity leave, but only 6% offer fully paid leaveIn 1940, the median home price in the US was $2,938Wages increased 21% from 1990 to 2017, but the cost of living increased 67%More than 50% of the US workforce will be freelance within the decade, according to the annual “Freelancing in America” reportIn 75% of the TV programs shown during hours when children are most likely to be watching, the hero either kills people or beats them up

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Birds that can’t fly.” There are over 57 avian species that can’t fly! They became flightless through evolution.

What I’m grateful for:

I am currently healthy! I’m pretty sure RSV went through our house (and that turned into an ear infection for me), then I felt like I was getting another cold, but it passed. I’m sure something else is coming soon so just grateful to feel good nowI’m running a half marathon on Sunday! I wasn’t sure whether I would do this race or not considering some setbacks with illness lately, but all systems are go right nowA fun Halloween! My daughter wanted to be “a police” (her words) so her dad and me dressed up as burglars. Our neighborhood gets into it and it’s such a great nightThe little pup below. I’m taking her to the vet next week to double-check that she doesn’t have a microchip, then the adoption will be official. The cats are not super thrilled about her, but they seem to have arrived at the acceptance stage. Our senior dog is a fan

A few snapshots:
We’ve had some beautiful sunrises and sunsets lately, so I’ll leave you with a few of those.

A Halloween treat

The post Weekly Roundup: November 4, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: October 28, 2022

This is my first day as a 43-year-old. I had a wonderful birthday yesterday and am excited for this year ahead, career-wise and otherwise. Let’s get into the roundup:

Quote of the week:
“With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?” –Oscar Wilde

What I’m reading:
I’m almost done with Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. It took me a while to get into it (which could be blamed on my hectic life), but I’m loving it now. Such wonderful writing and interesting characters. I always enjoy an epic family saga and this is that. The book comes out in March!

What I’m listening to:
I’m about halfway through Stranger Care: A Memoir of Loving What Isn’t Ours by Sarah Sentilles. It’s well-written and heartbreaking. I’m learning a lot about the foster care system.

What I’m watching:
I was watching The Watcher on Netflix, but sort of lost interest once I found out that the true story behind the series remains an unsolved mystery. I need closure!

Writing news:
Nothing of note this week, but there are some exciting things in the works.

What I’m talking about:

The idiocy of Kanye West. I really avoided talking about this last week because I thought his antisemitic comments were so outlandish that nobody would take them seriously. But then I saw the signs on the 405 freeway and remembered that celebrities have so much influence. We cannot ignore hate like this. History has shown us whyThe whiplash of social media. On an episode of The Slowdown this week, Ada Limón talked about how strange it is that we can scroll Instagram and see happy news (like the birth of a friend’s baby) juxtaposed immediately by news of some atrocity. How confusing this must be for our weary brains!The importance of the upcoming midterm elections. PLEASE VOTE!Puppy potty training. We’ve taken in a puppy!

Interesting things I learned this week:

The average colonial American white woman spent about 25 years pregnant and nursing babiesIn Paris in 1780, out of 21,000 children born, 20,000 were sent to wet nurses (so less than 5% of women breastfed their own babies)There’s a nationwide Adderall shortage that could last into 2023Only 1.8% of our congressional representatives are working momsIn 1880, about half of Americans were farmersDuring peak growing cycle, giant pumpkins can increase in size by 60 pounds per dayHistorian James Mohr estimates that at the middle of the 19th century, 1 in 5 or 6 pregnancies was aborted (and this was considered normal “family planning”)In the US today, nearly 60% of pregnancies are unplannedSpiderman and Princess were the top 2 most popular kid costumes last year. For adults, witch and vampire top the listLast year, the most popular candy was M&Ms, with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in the second spot58% of women in prison are mothersAccording to a poll, 71% of Americans believe democracy is at riskGroups of vultures have different names depending on what they’re doing: when they are in flight, they’re a kettle; when they are at rest in a tree or on a fence post, that’s a committee; when they are feeding, that’s a wake In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was considered a “custom of the sea” for members of an endangered ship to draw straws to select someone to kill and eat for sustenance

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Are penguins mammals?” I really thought they were. But no.

What I’m grateful for:

42 trips around the sun, with a 43rd just starting. I’m happy and healthy, so I’ve won the lotteryLots of family time. We celebrated what would have been my dad’s 70th birthday this past week and then celebrated my birthday yesterdayHalloween festivities. I love this time of year

Snapshots:

Me at 43 The new pup, Rosie! Museum adventures with my mom and sister PostSecret exhibit Isn’t that root system mesmerizing?

The post Weekly Roundup: October 28, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: October 21, 2022

This is my last week as a 42-year-old. I have no sadness about birthdays. I love celebrating a year of being alive (even though this past year was particularly difficult for me). I’ll be doing a lot of thinking this week on what will be ahead for my next trip around the sun. Until then, here’s this week’s roundup:

Quote of the week:
“Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement… Get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.” — Abraham Joshua Heschel

What I’m reading:
This week, I read My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. Loved it! I just started Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy (it comes out in March).

What I’m listening to:
I’ve been listening to The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell. It’s taken me a while to get into it, but I’m liking it now.

What I’m watching:
I’m making my way through The Watcher on Netflix. I feel like most people binge this show, but my pace with shows is like one episode a week–haha.

Writing news:
Yesterday was the second birthday for All the Acorns on the Forest Floor. As I said on Instagram, I know mothers shouldn’t confess to having favorite babies, but this is one of my favorite book babies.

What I’m talking about:

Post-viral depression. I read something about people having depression post-Covid and started to research this. There is a link between inflammation in the body (from infection) and depression. I was definitely depressed after having Covid and it lasted for a couple monthsTexas schools sending DNA kits to parents to identify their kids’ bodies in emergencies (like school shootings). How about we work on gun reform instead of investing in initiatives like this? The Jan. 6 committee’s official subpoena of Trump. Looks like he’ll have to testify around mid-November

Interesting things I learned this week:

Hysteria derives from the Greek word for uterusAccording to a Mixbook study, peak life satisfaction for people in most states comes around age 40-49. Maryland was lower–age 37. Vermont was higher–age 63In 2021, the average annual cost of childcare was $10,600 per kid. For the third year in a row, increases in childcare costs outpaced the rate of inflationAnna May Wong is the first Asian American on US currencyMelisa Raouf became the first makeup-free contestant in the Miss England competition’s 94-year historyHyperion, a coastal redwood in Humboldt County, CA, exceeds the Statue of Liberty in height

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“oldest tree in the world.” After learning about the tallest tree (see above), I was curious about the oldest one. The oldest known tree was a 4900+-year-old Great Basin bristlecone pine in Nevada, cut down in 1964. It was given the name Prometheus. The oldest known living tree is another Great Basin bristlecone pine, this one in California. It’s 4,854 years old (not sure how they know this) and it’s name is Methuselah.

What I’m grateful for:

Feeling healthy. I had a non-Covid virus that led to an ear infection and I lost hearing in my ear for a couple days. It’s better now, though I do still have some ringing. Grateful for antibioticsA wonderful long run this morning. I’ve been on fence about doing my half-marathon next month since I missed training due to illness, but this morning’s run gave me some confidenceFriends! One of my best friends has been in town from Denver and it’s been so nice to SEE her and have some quality time

Snapshots from this week:

Glorious Fall sunset… …and sunrise Carnival with my girl Signed, sealed, delivered. PLEASE VOTE IN THE MIDTERMS! Did a Yoga with Cats event put on by a rescue organization Speaking of rescue… We might adopt this puppy that my friend’s cousin found as a stray. Stay tuned! My #1 must approve of the new puppy or it’s a no go Early birthday gift from a good friend who, so far, has not ended up in a novel

The post Weekly Roundup: October 21, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: October 14, 2022

Well, I missed last week’s roundup (was a hectic week, punctuated by illness). I’m now experiencing the magic of antibiotics (#earinfection #itneverends) so I’m rejoining the land of the living.

Quote of the week:
“I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to live the width of it as well.” –Diane Ackerman

What I’m reading:
I just finished Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips, which I liked. Last week, I read Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet. Also good! I’ve been slowly making my way through Mother Reader: Essential Writings on Motherhood, edited by Moyra Davey. Lots of great stuff in there.

What I’m listening to:
I just finished Sex and the Single Woman: 24 Writers Reimagine Helen Gurley Brown’s Cult Classic. I enjoyed a few of the stories; others, not so much. I’m about to start The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell–very excited about that.

What I’m watching:
I started to watch Luckiest Girl Alive on Netflix. I did not enjoy the novel, but I couldn’t remember exactly why. Well, the movie reminded me. Ha. Couldn’t finish it. I had a much better experience watching DC League of Super-Pets with my daughter. Last night, I started The Watcher on Netflix. I’m enjoying that so far.

Writing news:
Hoping to have news to report soon!

What I’m talking about:

The Jan. 6 committee voting to subpoena Trump. YessssssssssAlex Jones being told to pay nearly $1 billion for his Sandy Hook lies. Nice to see the jerks of the world getting their dueBiden pardoning those convicted of marijuana possession. Good move, in my opinion. We have bigger things to worry about

Interesting things I learned this week:

There are up to 9000 (!!) passenger planes in the sky at any given time299 of the Republicans running in the upcoming midterms are election deniersThere are about 200 cats at Disneyland to help control the rodent population

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“My sister the serial killer.” It’s a the title of a book, but I can see how this google search would appear concerning to people who don’t know of the book

What I’m grateful for:

My daughter turned 5! She had a blast at her party, and her first trip to Disneyland was a success Antibiotics. Seriously, life without them would be…shorter. This infection I have is a doozy but antibiotics are saving meHalloween décor, lightning storms, post-season baseball. I love this time of year

A couple snapshots:

A little black-and-white selfie action Kitty joining me for a yoga

The post Weekly Roundup: October 14, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: September 30, 2022

The end of September! This is my favorite time of year. My daughter’s birthday and my birthday are in October. I have always loved Halloween. I enjoy cooler mornings and evenings, and I’m one of those weird people who does not mind the earlier sunsets. Bring on Fall!

Quote of the week:
“No matter where life takes you, you’re never alone with a book, which becomes a tutor, a wit, a mind-sharpener, a soulmate, a performer, a sage, a verbal bouquet for a loved one. Books are borrowed minds, and because they capture the soul of a people, they explore and celebrate all it means to be human. Long live their indelible magic.” –Diane Ackerman

What I’m reading:
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. I’m about halfway through. It’s a great story.

What I’m listening to:
I just finished This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. It’s a sweet father-daughter story. Great narration.

What I’m watching:
I don’t think I’ve watched a single minute of a show this week. But I keep adding shows to my “to watch” list. The struggle is real.

Writing news:
Finished my latest edits on my manuscript. I have a title I like (for now). More to come soon!

What I’m talking about:

Conservative craziness. In Arizona, a near total abortion ban from 1864 (!) has taken effect. In Idaho, colleges are banning birth control. In Michigan, a GOP congressional candidate praised an organization seeking to repeal the 19th amendment (which gives women the right to vote). In Pennsylvania, a school district has banned the “Girls Who Code” book series (which promotes girls and women in STEM careers). What in the actual f*ck is happening? I mean, I see what’s happening. But…wow. We all need to vote in the midterms!Hurricane Ian. So much damage, with 40+ people dead. I fear we’re in for more storms like this… The ongoing protests in Iran. Dozens of people have been killed. It’s truly heartbreaking. Patriarchy is a global thing. We all should care about this

Interesting things I learned this week:

There are 31 women holding CEO positions at Fortune 500 companies, representing just 6%Recent studies have shown that women are 40% more likely than men to report a great deal of stress. The stats are worse for married women–54% said they had felt compelled to cry due to stress in the past month vs 33% for single womenDogs can smell when humans are stressedThere’s currently a butter shortageResearchers have seen that babies in the womb smile at the taste of carrot and make a cry-face at the taste of kale (who can blame them?)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“How many islands are there in the world?” In Black Cake, it’s mentioned that there are about 2000 islands in the world’s oceans so I wanted to see if that was true. IT IS!

What I’m grateful for:

A night out to see Brian Regan–yes, that’s two weekends of live comedy in a row!A double-digit run this morning (10 miles). Felt good! I’m training for a half marathon in November, hoping to PR, with the outside goal of qualifying for the NYC MarathonLots of fun time with my daughter lately–and we’re having her 5th birthday party tomorrow!

A few snapshots:

My daughter lives a charmed life. No weekend is complete without a cat nap (and editing some book pages). My sweet boy

The post Weekly Roundup: September 30, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.