Kim Hooper's Blog, page 15

Weekly Roundup: September 16, 2022

It’s beginning to feel a bit more like fall here in California. I still don’t understand the obsession with pumpkin spice. Hope you’re heading into a nice weekend wherever you are.

Quote of the week:
“Learn to get in touch with silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences; all events are blessings given to us to learn from. There is no need to go to India or anywhere else to find peace. You will find that deep place of silence right in your room, your garden or even your bathtub.” –Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

What I’m reading:
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth. It doesn’t come out until April 2023, but I was lucky to score an early copy on Netgalley. I’m also reading May Sarton’s Journal of Solitude.

What I’m listening to:
Just finished Normal Family: On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings by Chrysta Bilton. What a fascinating memoir.

What I’m watching:
I started Sins of Our Mother on Netflix last night. I’m a sucker for true crime.

Writing news:
I’m almost done with the latest round of edits on my new manuscript. Then I’ll do another read-through before sending it out!

What I’m talking about:

Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, giving away the $3 billion company to fight climate change. Quite the gift. I wish more billionaires were focusing on this instead of, like, going to spaceTalk of a national abortion ban. I love how Republicans emphasized that overturning Roe just meant they were giving authority back to the states. And now this… Texas Governor Greg Abbott saying he’s going to withhold data on pregnancy-related deaths until after the election. Meaning, banning abortion there must be associated with more pregnancy-related deaths (as many predicted it would be)Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sending two planes of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. Florida Democratic Chair Manny Diaz said, “Even for Ron DeSantis, this is a new low. There is nothing that DeSantis won’t do, and nobody that he won’t hurt, in order to score political points.” Truly sickening

Interesting things I learned this week:

The Mars rover, Curiosity, sang “Happy Birthday” to itself after one year in spaceThe smell of freshly cut grass is the smell of grass trying to heal itselfThe US will soon drop out of the top 50 nations in terms of life expectancyArchaeologists found evidence of the oldest known surgery–a skeleton with an amputated leg from 31,000 years agoNearly 1 in 4 American women will have an abortion by age 45Child poverty has fallen by more than half since the early 1990sRainwater everywhere on Earth is now unsafe to drink due to chemicalsChristians could make up less than half of the US population within a few decades, according to the Pew Research Center

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Dream about whales.” I had this very intense dream that I was on a boat in a cove teeming with whales–mostly gray whales, but there was one orca. This is what googling informed me: “Whales are known for their cooperative behavior with others of their kind. So if your dream featured a group of whales, it may be linked to teamwork or family life. This kind of dream can often be connected to facing a period of challenge in your life… The whales in your dream may be reminding you of the support and assistance available from those around you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” Very poignant, actually.

What I’m grateful for:

Cooler temperatures! That heat wave was brutal. So glad it’s overGood news for my doggie, Vinny. He does not have cancer! The vet was worried about a growth, but she now thinks it’s a lymph node in a weird locationMy daughter completing the Covid vaccine series. Hopefully the bivalent booster will be available for kids soon

A few snapshots:

Me with old Vinny Beginning to feel more like fall here A night out with my mom and sister Took a few weeks, but finally finished this one. Seconds after this photo was taken, I let my daughter destroy it. It’s like our version of Burning Man. The view on this morning’s run

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Weekly Roundup: September 9, 2022

Here in California, we’ve had a brutal heat wave for what feels like a month now. I’m yearning for more Fall-like temperatures. When I went for a run this morning (it was 87 degrees at 6:30am), I thought about how I sometimes need to wear gloves on winter runs and couldn’t fathom that. Oh seasons, always throwing us for loops.

Quote of the week:
“To share our stories is not only a worthwhile endeavor for the storyteller, but for those who hear our stories and feel less alone because of it.” –Joyce Maynard

What I’m reading:
Aftermath: On Marriage and Separation by Rachel Cusk. Quite honestly, this is a bit too high-brow for me, but I have highlighted some interesting passages. I finished Count the Ways by Joyce Maynard earlier this week and it’s definitely in my top 20 novels of all time.

What I’m listening to:
Normal Family: On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings by Chrysta Bilton. Such a fascinating and well-written memoir.

What I’m watching:
I watched Jim Gaffigan’s latest comedy special, Comedy Monster. Definitely laughed out loud a few times.

Writing news:
I’m about halfway through edits on my new manuscript. I’ll be sending it out in October most likely.

What I’m talking about:

The “heat dome” that is causing these brutal temperatures in California. We need some relief ASAP!The murder of Eliza Fletcher. I am so sad about her death and angry that women cannot go for a run without fearing for their lives. As a mother-runner, this has hit close to home for me. I was very moved by what elite runner Stephanie Rothstein Bruce posted on Instagram: “[Eliza], like so many women, run before sunrise because that’s what their schedule allows…Running is their breath of fresh air, their clarity, their time. And you say: but the world is unsafe, don’t run before dawn. You’re a woman. Well, also try to not ever get off work after dark and walk to your car alone. Or don’t go to the grocery store at night in a dark parking lot. Take self-defense. Carry mace, carry a weapon. Come to think of it, women, maybe don’t leave your house. It’s so fucking exhausting to hear the do’s and don’t’s. To live in fear.” AmenThe classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Just eating my popcorn over here, waiting for what’s going to happen next

Interesting things I learned this week:

On average, an American worker puts in 100 more hours per year on the job than a EuropeanOnly 1 in 5 Americans takes a lunch break. Fact: I am that 1 in 5. I have been defending my lunch break since I started working in the corporate world in 2005More than 50% of Americans live on less than $30K per year, while Jeff Bezos makes $142K per minuteAs of 2021, 1 in 4 Americans is a woman over 409 in 10 living humans were born after Elizabeth became QueenThe average working mom makes 58 cents for every dollar a white dad makes

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“More car accidents when hot.” I was rear-ended last weekend and the guy who hit me just drove off. Nice! Thankfully, there was no damage to my car (somehow) and everyone in my car was fine. But this did lead me to wonder if heat waves are associated with more car accidents. Turns out, they are!

What I’m grateful for:

Air conditioningA fun Labor Day weekend, complete with a little camping trip, pool time, and my daughter’s first sleepover with a couple of her friends at our houseYoga with Adriene on YouTube—I’ve re-committed myself to doing more yoga at home and I love her videos

A few snapshots:

Labor Day camping trip We’ve had some weird weather, but beautiful skies. Got the bivalent booster! Yay for science! The calm before a strange storm

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

Weekly Roundup: September 2, 2022

Happy Labor Day weekend! Here’s the roundup:

Quote of the week:
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” –Rumi

What I’m reading:
Count the Ways by Joyce Maynard. I’m about halfway through and…wow. What a moving book. The writing is incredible.

What I’m listening to:
I just started This Story Will Change: After the Happily Ever After, a memoir by Elizabeth Crane. Another book with beautiful writing.

What I’m watching:
I watched Inside the Mind of a Cat on Neflix last night. Very cute (and informative!) documentary if you like cats.

Writing news:
I’m finally back to revising my latest manuscript. I’m changing a small part of the storyline and brainstorming some title options.

What I’m talking about:

California’s massive climate and clean energy package, which will codify new benchmarks to get California to 90% clean electricity by 2035 and 95% by 2040 — stepping stones toward its already established goal of 100% clean electricity by 2045. California is also banning the sale of new gas powered cars by 2035. Very proud to live in this stateThe terrible flooding in Pakistan, a direct result of climate change. Nearly a third of the country is underwater and 30+ million people are homeless. I wish people realized that climate crisis is happening NOWThe ongoing Mar-a-Lago drama. It’s not looking good for Trump

Interesting things I learned this week:

The em dash got its name because it is the width of the letter ‘m’; same logic applies to the en dashThe number of companies offering paid maternity leave beyond the legal minimum dropped by 18% last yearAbout half of worker ants in a colony don’t actually work at all1 in 10 young people are near daily users of marijuana The Greenland ice sheet is set to raise sea levels nearly a footAccording to the Sleep Foundation, 75% of children and 70% of adults use a light-emitting device in bed (which is known to suppress melatonin and mess with sleep)59% of cats are overweightAncient Egyptians shaved off their eyebrows when mourning the death of a catMen have a larger carbon footprint than women (by 16%)Before 1973, women couldn’t serve on a jury

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“How long do ants live?” We still have an ant farm at our house, though it has become dramatically less exciting. I wondered how long these ants live, hence the google search. Did you know regular ol’ garden ants can live up to 4 years?! The ants we have are pharaoh ants, which I guess live 4-12 months.

What I’m grateful for:

A long weekend ahead with a good mix of fun and relaxationAir conditioning (we are in a heat wave in California right now)Getting back to working on my latest novel. I really don’t feel right if I’m not working on a bookA session with my therapist this week–hadn’t seen her in a while! I heart therapy

A few snapshots:

A rare dinner out. Sky magnificence. My little girl at a horse lesson with her dad.

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Weekly Roundup: August 26, 2022

Hope everyone is headed into a relaxing weekend. My brain has been foggy all week. This morning, I was completely confounded about what had happened to my coffee mug and then the microwave dinged and I realized I had put it in there. Wow. So, let’s get into it…

Quote of the week:
“The daily routine of most adults is so heavy and artificial that we are closed off to much of the world. We have to do this in order to get our work done. I think one purpose of art is to get us out of those routines. When we hear music or poetry or stories, the world opens up again. We’re drawn in — or out — and the windows of our perception are cleansed, as William Blake said.” — Ursula K. Le Guin

What I’m reading:
I just finished People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. This is definitely not my typical kind of book, but I wanted something light and fun. She’s great with dialogue.

What I’m listening to:
Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses by Sarah Fay. It’s interesting so far.

What I’m watching:
I watched an actual movie this week (over the course of three nights, but still)! My friend recommended the documentary Icarus and it did not disappoint. It’s all about the Russian doping scandal, though the filmmaker definitely did not think it was going to be about that when he started. Highly recommend.

Writing news:
I’m revisiting my latest manuscript to make some edits. I’ve had several weeks of space from it so this is the right time.

What I’m talking about:

Biden’s student loan relief plan. I’m all for this. The cost of education is absurd and people end up buried in debt for decades. The average person with student loans pays $26,000 in just interest over 20 years! Another alarming stat: After 12 years of student loan repayment, Black women owe an average of 13% MORE than they borrowedQuiet quitting, the going-viral concept of doing the bare minimum at work to have a healthier work-life balance. I hate hustle culture and never really partook, probably because I knew I’d go legitimately insane. A lot of people are really burnt out right now. This is evidence of that

Interesting things I learned this week:

California’s unemployment rate in July fell to its lowest point since 1976Scotland is the first country to make pads and tampons freeDinosaur tracks from around 113 million years ago have emerged in Texas due to severe droughtThe Ancient Greeks had 6 words for love: 1) eros, sexual passion; 2) philia, deep friendship; 3) ludus, playful love; 4) agape, love for everyone; 5) pragma, longstanding love; 6) philautia, love of self

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“the floor is lava.” My daughter is obsessed with this song.

What I’m grateful for:

Surviving my half marathon last weekend. I feel like non-survival was definitely a possibility. I considered calling an Uber at one point. It just wasn’t my day. My body might not be fully recovered from Covid, I’m guessingMy old doggie, Vinny. The vet found a growth in his abdomen. We have him on medication to control symptoms and will get a second scan of the mass in a couple weeks. I know he doesn’t have long (he’s almost 13!) so I’m trying to enjoy the time left

A few snapshots:

Kitty giving me that lover’s gaze. Another gorgeous morning. This is my procrastination face.

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Weekly Roundup: August 19, 2022

This week went by fast, didn’t it? Let’s get to it…

Quote of the week:
“I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable. All these and other factors combined, if the circumstances are right, can teach and can lead to rebirth.” — Anne Morrow Lindbergh

What I’m reading:
I’m late to the party, but I’m finally reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It’s good, but I don’t know if it’s a-million-ratings-on-Goodreads good. Will see how it ends.

What I’m listening to:
The Fixed Stars: A Memoir by Molly Wizenberg. I read her first book years ago and she popped into my mind recently so I looked her up. She’s had quite the interesting life story since I last followed her. I love memoirs that tell of a life going in an unexpected direction. It’s very good.

What I’m watching:
Still nothing of interest, though I have added several shows to my “to watch” list in the Notes app of my phone. Progress.

Writing news:
No news this week. I’ve been prioritizing my copywriting work lately (I write stuff for healthcare and pharmaceutical companies), but planning to get back to my creative writing next month.

What I’m talking about:

The Inflation Reduction Act. This is the best legislation I’ve seen in a long timeThe stabbing of author Salman Rushdie while he was speaking at an event. He is recovering, though his family has described his injuries as “life-changing.” So upsetting to see thisMar-a-Lago. Still sitting on the edge of my seat…

Interesting things I learned this week:

Manatees use their farts to swim (yes, it’s true)The leading source of antioxidants in the American diet is tea and coffee20% of U.S. students aged 12 to 18 experience bullyingAnthropologist Robin Dunbar says we are only wired to know 150 people, which was the average size of hunter-gatherer communities (interesting read here)A new dog-sized dinosaur species has been discovered in ArgentinaResearch shows that fish can get depressed

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Grasshopper suicide.” This was something mentioned in The Midnight Library so I had to investigate. Turns out there is a parasitic worm that can invade grasshoppers and make them jump into water, essentially committing suicide. So weird.

What I’m grateful for:

Feeling 100% back to myself since Covid. I’m so grateful that I bounced back relatively quickly (though it didn’t feel quick at all)Half marathon this weekend. I missed some significant training because of Covid, so I’m curious how this will go. I’m going to prioritize enjoying myself and see what happensA solo backpacking/camping trip this past weekend. It was hard (and so hot!) but I really love sleeping under the stars

A few snapshots:

Mother Nature, showing off. I had to take a selfie with the pretty sky. Sunset on my little solo backpacking/camping trip. My setup. It was so peaceful. Yes, I brought my Kindle. A pretty typical night to myself. Old boy Vinny (he’s almost 13!). He’s shown some signs of decline since his sister died. Not sure how much longer he has, but appreciating the moments. The view on this morning’s run.

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Weekly Roundup: August 12, 2022

Howdy! Hope you have had a good week. I am still not feeling like myself since Covid. I had no idea the recovery from “mild” Covid would be so hard. The fatigue and brain fog are just now starting to subside for me (I’m almost 3 weeks out). I’m hoping to get back to normal soon. Let’s get into it!

Quote of the week:
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” –Helen Keller

What I’m reading:
I read Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and LOVED it. FIVE STARS. I just started The Unsinkable Greta James and am liking it so far.

What I’m listening to:
I’ve been listening to The Long Answer by Anna Hogeland this week. I wish I had read this one instead of listened to it. It’s a bit hard to follow on audio, but I do like it.

What I’m watching:
I need some recommendations for good, lighthearted shows. Ted Lasso? I’m late to that party, but maybe that’ll be next. I haven’t been watching much of anything lately besides Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and Bill Maher.

Writing news:
No news this week. Hoping to share some happenings soon.

What I’m talking about:

The FBI search of Mar-a-Lago. My oh my, what are they going to reveal? I am beyond intrigued. Does he have the nuclear codes?!Serena Williams retiring (or “evolving away”) from tennis. She wants to expand her family and in order to do that, tennis has to go. I think every mother (or aspiring-to-be-mother) understands this, and also laments the fact that male athletes do not have this same conundrum (they can go about their athletic careers while their wives bear the children). It is what it is. I appreciate her honesty and bow down to her as one of the greatest athletes of all time

Interesting things I learned this week:

Founders at Twitter, Airbnb, Pinterest, Instacart and Peloton have all left their companies in the past year The national average cost of a gallon of gas is now $3.99, down from a peak of $5 mid-JuneCasper (the mattress company) is hiring professional nappers with “exceptional sleeping ability” (um, #dreamjob)Domino’s Pizza is closing the doors to its last store in Italy. I’m guessing Italians prefer pizza that is actually goodThere is something called a Plufl that is a giant dog bed for humans. I’m not sure why a regular bed would not suffice

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Opossum vs possum.” I always thought they were different spellings for the same creature, but no! Possums are native to Australia, New Zealand, and China, while opossums live in America and Southern Canada. Appearance-wise, possums are smaller, and the possum has a furry tail, while the opossum has a bare tail.

What I’m grateful for:

Recovering from CovidBooks like Remarkably Bright Creatures that feel like friendsMy daughter starting TK next week! It’s so fun to watch her growCalifornia sunshine

A few snapshots:

Still exhausted post-Covid, which means lots of cat naps. This is Bowie, as in David. First early morning run since I got Covid. Good to be out. Grateful to live where I do.

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Weekly Roundup: August 5, 2022

Well, I missed last week’s roundup because Covid finally got me (and my daughter). We tested positive on July 26. She had exactly zero symptoms and was bouncing off the walls during quarantine, while I felt like I had a bad cold with extreme fatigue (aka mild Covid, relatively speaking). I’m grateful I didn’t have it worse because I’m not sure how I would have taken care of my daughter. I’m STILL testing positive as of today, but I feel about 90% better. I had a beer with dinner last night and went for a short, easy run this morning, so things are nearing normal-ish. Let’s get into it…

Quote of the week:
“I do not like the idea of happiness — it is too momentary. I would say that I was always busy and interested in something — interest has more meaning to me than the idea of happiness.” –Georgia O’Keefe

What I’m reading:
I have read some GREAT books last week and this week, including Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (this one makes my top 20 of all time), Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny (very enjoyable), and After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid (not my favorite of hers, but still good). I’m also making my way through The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and Joy, edited by James Crews, which was a gift from my lovely friend.

What I’m listening to:
I just finished Like a House on Fire by Lauren McBrayer, which I really liked. I’m now listening to The Long Answer by Anna Hogeland.

What I’m watching:
Absolutely nothing, aside from Stephen Colbert’s opening segment on The Late Show. I’ve had no time for shows.

Writing news:
The only writing-related news I have is that my dear old laptop died. I used this laptop to write every single one of my books. It’s the end of an era (and the beginning of a new one!).

What I’m talking about:

The recession question. Are we in one? US employers added 528,000 jobs in July and unemployment dropped to 3.5%, so that’s hopefulChina’s anger about Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Can we just chill out on the global hostilities for a hot second? I’m not prepared for more warKansas voters coming out in support of keeping abortion legal (59% to 41%). Even in a very red state, the majority of voters support choice. This goes to show how rogue the Supreme Court has becomeJoe Manchin changing his mind on the big climate bill. It will now move forward in the Senate tomorrow. All 50 Democratic senators will need to vote for the bill in order for it to pass, with a tie-breaking vote from Kamala Harris. This would be HUGESan Clemente’s City Council meeting to consider banning abortion within city limits. I live one city away from San Clemente and this is ridiculous. It’s really the work of one extreme person and won’t pass, but a bunch of us are showing up to protest regardlessThe death of Vin Scully. I watched and listened to a lot of Dodgers baseball growing up. Vin Scully’s calm, soothing voice will be forever etched in my memory

Interesting things I learned this week:

The global population will hit 8 billion this yearIt would take FIVE earths to to support the world’s population if everyone’s consumption patterns were like the average American’sIn 1960, the divorce rate was 9.2%. It peaked in 1980 at 22.6%, and has gradually declined ever since. By 2019, the divorce rate was 14.9%Californians are 25% less likely to die in a mass shooting. This is probably because our governor is tough on guns (he just signed 8 gun safety bills into law)In 2005, Americans sent an average of 460 text messages per year; today, the average person sends 50+ text messages PER DAYEarth had its shortest day ever recorded on June 29, with the day ending 1.59 milliseconds sooner than usual, according to the National Physical Laboratory in EnglandHawaii has no girls in juvenile detentionThe Tour de France will include women again for the first time since 1989Etiolation is the process of altering the natural development of a green plant by excluding sunlight; to make pale, to deprive of natural vigor, to make feeble

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Do ants sleep?” We have an ant farm at our house now, which has led to much googling about ants. Yes, they poop! And, yes, they sleep! Apparently, the average worker ant takes about 250 naps each day, with each one lasting just over a minute. That adds up to nearly 5 hours of sleep per day. Research also found that 80% of the ant workforce is awake and active at any one time.

Our ant farm

What I’m grateful for:

Nearing the end of this Covid ordeal. Even when it’s mild, it’s quite the ordeal, especially if you have young kids. I’m looking forward to the Omicron booster in SeptemberReturning to running. I had been training for a Half Marathon that’s later this month. I’m not sure I’ll still be able to do it, but we will see. I’m just happy to get back out there for nowMy daughter, who was such a champ during quarantine (even when she drove me crazy)DoorDash dinner deliveries, courtesy of my ex husband. We are decent friends at this point and I’m grateful for thatMood lifters from friends—flowers, funny affirmation cards, a book of poetry, lots of text messagesBOOKS! I have felt absorbed in reading the past two weeks and it’s been a true comfort and joy

A few snapshots:

Pre-Covid goat yoga Attempting to rest in quarantine The only one who enjoyed quarantine She said she was pretending to be me Pretty park flowers

The post Weekly Roundup: August 5, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: July 22, 2022

It’s been a rough week. There’s so much in the news that is utterly depressing. I’ve been particularly affected by all the latest headlines about climate change—record heat, melting ice, species going extinct. It’s a lot to take in. The below quote from Howard Zinn has been a small salve this week…

Quote of the week:
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.” –Howard Zinn, You Can’t be Neutral on a Moving Train

What I’m reading:
The Tragedy of Heterosexuality by Jane Ward. This is a great book that looks at many of the underlying issues in heterosexual relationships. I am heterosexual and I do find it tragic sometimes–haha. Men and women are socialized so differently, which leads to inherent conflict.

What I’m listening to:
Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon. This is a super interesting memoir. They say comedians often have difficult childhoods and her story speaks to this. I really admire her resilience.

What I’m watching:
Aside from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the first half of the MLB All-Star game, I’m not watching much. I did watch some of the Jan. 6 hearings on prime time last night. Upsetting.

Writing news:
Nothing to report this week!

What I’m talking about:

Climate change. This has been really weighing heavy on me this week. There is record-breaking heat all around the world right now (The UK saw its highest temp EVER, 104 degrees). Greenland shed 6 BILLION tons of water per day last weekend as ice melted. Scientists say that 90% of the plankton in the Atlantic is gone (one said this means the Atlantic Ocean is effectively “dead”). Monarch butterflies are now endangered, due in large part to disruptions to their migratory patterns caused by climate change. All this at the same time that Biden’s climate plan collapsed (thanks for nothing, Joe Manchin). Some are saying Biden may declare a climate emergency soon. That might be the only way for any positive action to beginCovid and the BA.5 variant. Many areas are bringing back mask mandates in the face of the most contagious variant yet. This is all just really exhausting. Fauci said he will leave the government before the end of Biden’s term. He’s clearly exhausted tooTrump running in 2024. Watching the Jan. 6 hearings, it seems pretty clear that he committed serious crimes so not sure how he’ll be able to actually run. Just his stated intention to run is infuriating thoughBiden’s successes so far—created 9 million jobs, got unemployment to 3.6%, ended the 20-year war in Afghanistan, signed the $1.9T American Rescue Plan, signed a $1.2T infrastructure law, signed the first major gun law in 30 years, confirmed 69 federal judges. Everyone thinks he’s “failing” so it’s good to check the factsThe ongoing fight for women’s rights. I was happy to see Democrat lawmakers as part of an abortion rights rally (17 of them were arrested). There are already so many stories of women being denied needed care because of the new legislation in many states. It’s truly horrifyingThe Republican crazies. So, 96% of Republicans in the house (96%!!!) voted against keeping birth control legal. Um, what? Thankfully, it still passed the House but will it pass the Senate? Equally, absurd, 157 Republicans voted against marriage equalityImages from the Webb telescope. So incredible. There is something so calming about seeing that we are just one planet in one solar system in one galaxy. Perspective is so needed right now

Interesting things I learned this week:

Many classic kids books were written by queer people (Goodnight Moon, Where the Wild Things Are, Frog and Toad Are Friends)Estivation is a term describing summer hibernation, a state of torpor or dormancy during the depths of the hot, dry season. Desert tortoises, crocodiles, and some worms and snails do it. Seems like something humans may need to consider soonA healthy male giraffe weighs about 3,000 poundsAccording to a recent report, 66% of working parents meet the criteria for parental burnoutWestern Europe has done more to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions over the past three decades than any other region in the world. It cut emissions by 30% (while the US, Canada, and Australia all increased their emissions)Peppermint contains salicylate, which is poisonous to cats. But some cats (like mine!) are attracted to peppermint (eg, my tea) because it contains nepetalactone-mimicking compounds, the active ingredient in catnip Albert Einstein’s wife, Mileva Marić, is said to have contributed to all of his scientific accomplishments, though she is credited with nothing officially. Einstein is known to have said, “I need my wife. She solves for me all my mathematical problems.” They divorced after he had an affair with his cousinAccording to a 7-year study, those who regularly drank coffee were up to 30% less likely to die in that time frame from any cause“Mojo” used to mean “witchcraft” in the 1920s (Creole origin)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Is there a word for dying of thirst?” I googled this while working on a poem. There is an archaic/obsolete English verb meaning “to die of thirst”—Forthirst. Alas, this word did not really fit my poem.

What I’m grateful for:

My daughter’s growing love of words and language. She’s almost 5 and just getting into spelling. The first word she can spell on her own (aside from her name, “mom,” and “dad”) is LOVEBooks. Reading has given me such comfort lately. I saw this Rebecca Solnit quote the other day: “I disappeared into books when I was very young, disappeared into them like someone running into the woods.” Really resonatesMy pets. They add so much love to every dayAn awesome long run this morning. I’m running a half marathon in a month and feeling good about chasing a PR

A few snapshots:

One of my favorite tees from The Bee & the Fox L-O-V-E Kitty doing kitty things Beach run view

The post Weekly Roundup: July 22, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: July 15, 2022

My brain is fried this week so let’s get right into it!

Quote of the week:
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.” –Henry David Thoreau
(Fun fact: this was the quote I picked in my high school yearbook. I came across it in something I was reading this week and had that little memory. It still resonates today)

What I’m reading:
I’m currently reading Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett. It’s been on my list for a while and I’m loving it so far. I’m also reading Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves. I’m continuing to explore intentional communities—perhaps for a future novel plot, or maybe for my real life!

What I’m listening to:
I’m listening to The Divorce Colony: How Women Revolutionized Marriage and Found Freedom on the American Frontier by April White. I knew nothing about this part of history before—so interesting!

What I’m watching:
I’m watching How to Change Your Mind on Netflix, based on the book by Michael Pollan.

Writing news:
No big news this week. Still writing poetry and fiddling around with a couple children’s book ideas.

What I’m talking about:

The BA.5 variant. Sigh. I would like to never hear the word “variant” again. This pandemic is exhaustingInflation. Prices climbed 9.1% from last year in the US, the fastest pace since 1981. While costs of everything go up, incomes don’t see to be increasing… So… how is that sustainable? Ada Limón is the new US Poet Laureate. I credit her for my recent foray into poetry. Highly recommend her work, even if you think you’re “not a poetry person”

Interesting things I learned this week:

The calcium in our bones and teeth likely came from stars exploding in supernovas and scattering the mineral across the universeAn American tourist fell into Mount Vesuvius while trying to retrieve his phone after taking a selfie. He survivedA typical outdoor cat kills about 100 small animals and birds over the course of a yearNeurasthenia was a popular diagnosis in the late 1800s, described by neurologist George Miller Beard as the exhaustion of the central nervous system’s reserves, attributed to modern civilization. Might need to bring this one backThe word psychedelic is from the Greek for “mind-manifesting”Bill Wilson, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, credits psychedelics with helping him get over his addictionThe dollar has risen to parity with the euro for the first time since 2002Orcas are one of only three animals species that go through menopause (the others being humans and short-finned pilot whales)Starting July 16, Americans can call or text a new number — 988 — if they’re experiencing a mental health crisis or are at risk of suicideMaya Angelou is the first black woman to appear on a U.S. quarter

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“My cat keeps eating my cashews.” One of my cats is obsessed with cashews. I get these snack-packs from Trader Joe’s and he can hear me open it and comes running from the other room. I give him small pieces, which google says is ok. Shrug.

What I’m grateful for:

Fun Queen cover band concert last weekend. I LOVE Queen. Watching old footage of Freddie Mercury in concert gives me chills. It was just me and my daughter and she loved it (as long as she was sitting on my shoulders and/or eating shave ice)Dinner with my mom—just her and me. We rarely get that time together and it was so niceA 10-mile run this morning that felt good. Been in a bit of a running funk so this one was needed. I’m training for a half marathon next month!

A few snapshots:

Queen cover band with my daughter Just another beach run Working with my boss in the background

The post Weekly Roundup: July 15, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: July 8, 2022

It was a short work week but it felt long. I haven’t recovered from the holiday weekend yet. Hoping to get some recovery time in this weekend. And hope you do too!

Quote of the week:
“I’ve seen enough change in my lifetime to know that despair is not only self-defeating, it is unrealistic.”
—Susan Griffin

What I’m reading:
I just finished Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities by Rebecca Solnit. For anyone feeling despair in the wake of recent political and social turmoil, this book is a salve. I’m also reading Creating a Life Together: Practical Tools to Grow an Intentional Community by Diana Leafe Christian. I’m really into cohousing communities…who’s with me?

What I’m listening to:
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin. It’s gotten so many great reviews. It feels too young for me. I have a few hours left so I’m holding my final opinion, but seems like it would be better for a teen reader or someone in their 20s.

What I’m watching:
Not much. Still doing the tired-mom thing of going to bed right after my daughter.

Writing news:
Nothing to report this week, though I continue to write poetry and I’m still fiddling with my children’s book.

What I’m talking about:

The first anniversary of my dad’s death on July 6. I felt strangely okay that day, but then very sad the next day. Grief continues to fascinate meThe mass shooting on the 4th of July. Only in America… Reading some of the stories of the victims in this shooting makes my heart hurt. I continue to research leaving the U.S. because the gun stuff terrifies me and there has been way too little legislative actionDerek Chauvin’s sentencing in the death of George Floyd. He should have gotten life in prison, but 21 years is something

Interesting things I learned this week:

California is in the midst of its third-largest Covid surge of the pandemic, with roughly 19,000 new cases being reported each day (and that doesn’t include home tests). I assume my household will be hit soon…The term “spinster” originated as early as the 1300s, referring to unmarried women who spun wool and earned their own living. By the 1800s, being a spinster was a secret source of pride: It was a privilege for a woman to remain unmarried in a time when the majority of women were economically bound to men There were 2.5 million people in the U.S. when the Declaration of Independence was signed (roughly the population of Chicago today)Under a new proposal, some Texas schools may call slavery “involuntary relocation.” WTFBrad Pitt says he suffers from facial blindness (aka prosopagnosia)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Ugh Merriam Webster.” I was curious about the official definition. For those wondering, it is: “used to indicate the sound of a cough or grunt or to express disgust or horror.” For me, it is also used to indicate existential despair.

What I’m grateful for:

A one-night family camping trip. There was a whole tent just for my daughter’s dolls. She had a blastA fun 5K on 4th of July. I was going for a PR and I got it! My time was 20:39 (6:40 average pace)–8th woman overall and 2nd in my division. I really have gotten faster with age! Celebrating the 4th with friends and their kids. All the little ones made it until fireworks with minimal meltdownsMy sister’s birthday. I am so grateful for her presence in my life and it was wonderful to celebrate her this past week

A few snapshots:

The post Weekly Roundup: July 8, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.