On being a Yankee Doodle.

Miracle Maddie

Maddie Girl finished her intensive MNRI therapy with her specialist and did well! She’s reacting to the therapy in new ways and that means different reflexes are coming back to life. Her specialist said her coloring looks better and these are all incredible signs of healing taking place. Maddie Girl was also able to get her passport; that’s very important for future treatments. She also started occupational therapy and it went very well. The occupational therapist wants to focus on swallowing and vision. Plus, the Passy-Muir valve came and Maddie did fabulous with her first trial! The steps may be small but they’re in the right direction.

Ireland

I could just stand in Limerick City and stare at it all day. Some Christmas decorations have gone up, and Brown Thomas has its displays lit up at night in glorious splendor. Alas, I did not get any pictures of the evening majesty of the city, but please enjoy the bonus shot of the Shannon.

I went to Doolin last weekend with my friend Ruth to check out a possible accommodation when we–and many others from our program–attend the Doolin Writer’s Festival at the end of January. I think the location of the hostel is perfect. Doolin, like so many other parts of Ireland, is just gorgeous.

We also went to McDermott’s Pub and I got to experience my first traditional Irish music session; it was wonderful! There was a mandolin, a couple of guitars, and a flute. Random patrons would sit in and sing a song and occasionally, the rest of the bar would join in. Everyone was smiling and happy. I got called “Yankee Doodle” because try as I might to blend in, my accent betrays me every time. I was impressed, though, by one lad who asked me if I rooted for the New York Giants or the New York Jets.

Writing

I sent my second draft for workshop and a classmate messaged me to tell me she was impressed by my edits and that I totally “transformed” the chapter. Honestly, I’m feeling more confident and capable as a writer and it’s all due to this program, the amazing lecturers, and my supportive classmates.

I had my one-on-one meeting with Rob Doyle to jumpstart my progress for a module for next semester. He told me he liked the energy of the first paragraph, and my breath caught in my throat because I assumed he was going to tell me that energy disappeared soon after. But he told me he didn’t have much to say about the piece because he could tell I wasn’t a new writer and that all I really had to do was keep writing.

I was OVER THE MOON. I feel so great. I’m working through another round of edits for Moody Blue and I’m trying to apply what I’ve learned without doing a full rewriter. I think Moody Blue is going to be so much better because of lessons I’ve internalized about compression, clarity, and musicality. I suppose when you’re surrounded by phenomenal literary talent, you can’t help but absorb a little bit of it.

Home for the Holidays

Even though I am absolutely loving my time in Ireland, I am excited to come home from Christmas. I’ll be splitting my time between New Jersey and Florida from December 7th to January 18th. I plan on spending quality time with all the people that I love.

And having coffee, bagels, and pizza. And hot wings. And driving on the right side of the road.

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