Fascination Friday

Well, we made it through the first week of August. Since the schedule change here, I’ve dubbed what used to be Woo Wednesday as Fascination Friday. My goal is to share things I’m learning about, doing, and generally being inspired by each week.

What I’m Watching:

My best friend from college recommended I try out the show Married at First Sight. I’m not a huge reality show person, but I really like this one. There’s a lot of emphasis on relationship building and communication, and it brings up a lot of interesting issues around what makes a strong marriage. I’ve been married for 21 years, so it also makes me feel like an expert even as I empathize with how much work it takes to make a marriage work.

The other good thing is there are lots of seasons (there’s also an Aussie version) so it’ll keep me busy for a while.

What I’m Reading:

I’ve got a few books going at the moment. For fiction, I’m working through the audiobook version of The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. For nonfiction, I’m reading Robin Rose Bennet’s Healing Magic. I’m taking a class from her online right now, so I’m enjoying supplementing her lectures with this book. The class is through The Open Center, check out their offerings here.

What I’m Writing:

I’m also juggling a few writing projects. I’m taking a writing workshop on the archetype of the witch, and I’m working on a short story for that. I’m also working on a secret novella and a not-so-secret Moon Hollow novel. After having an extended dry spell, it feels good to feel like a writer again.

I’m also enjoying the two write-ins with members of this here newsletter. We’ve had between three and seven people show up for each writing session, and it’s really great to get to know each other as we also support the progress we’re making on our projects. We usually chat for 15-20 minutes between writing sprints of 30-40 minutes. If you’re looking for some structure or accountability, or even just a little writing community, you just need to sign up as a paid subscriber to gain access. I hope you’ll join us.

What I’m Loving Right Now:

Honestly, every day is different. Some days I struggle with depression and anxiety. Other days, I feel so grateful for the time I’m getting with my family right now and the space to just create without a million other things going on.

A neat moment this week happened when my son decided that after months of sequestering himself in his room watching anime and playing video games, he wanted to cook something. Just out of the blue, he announced that he wanted to make pork buns (Nikuman) like he’d seen on one of his anime shows.

He woke up early yesterday, took a shower, and patiently waited for me to drink my coffee while he made his shopping list. We went to the store together and I pushed the cart while he did the selecting. When we got home, I mostly sat nearby on a stool and offered advice while occasionally serving as sous chef, but it was a really cool experience. The buns turned out amazing, too.

Patience is hard for me. I get bored easily and am always filling my time with new projects and fascinations. Understanding that I have to give my kid the space to find his own enthusiasm for things isn’t easy for me. I want to INSPIRE him to action. But that’s not how it works at all. Now I’ve learned that if I keep my mouth shut and give him the space, he’ll naturally discover his own passions—or get bored enough to try something new. And, hey, maybe I’ll get some delicious food in the mix.

If making pork buns appeals to you, here’s the recipe he used.

What’s fascinating you this Friday?