1. Avast, ye mateys! On this date in 1820, a whale rammed and sank the Essex. This served as inspiration for Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick which was a commercial failure. Not until years after Melville’s passing was the book regarded as a masterpiece.

Do you know of something that was considered a failure only to have that very same idea eventually become a success?

Hmm, I can’t think of anything off the top of my head but I bet it’s happened a lot in music. Something gets rediscovered and thrown into something new and suddenly people take notice.

2. Today we celebrate National Absurdity Day. We are encouraged to do crazy and zany things. Please share a crazy and zany thing you’ve done ⁠— as long as the statute of limitations has expired!

It’s sad that one of those things happened when I was probably 19 (i.e. not recently) but I remember the night we saw Fight Club in the theater. Afterwards, my friends and I drove aimlessly through Northern Florida/Southern Georgia, stopping into a 24 hour gas station and taking a selfie with the attendant, a backwoods dude who was probably thrilled to see someone, anyone. And then we took a picture next to a gigantic cow statue in front of a feed store. And then we stole a traffic cone from an intersection, barely escaping being seen. That was a good night.

3. Today is National Peanut Butter Fudge Day. Tomorrow is National Gingerbread Cookie Day. Would you rather be celebrating with peanut butter fudge or a gingerbread man?

I guess I will say gingerbread because as much as I like peanut butter, I don’t typically care for peanut butter flavored things. PB cookies are the worst!

4. This is National Farm⁠ — City Week. During this week, the importance of agriculture in everyday life and learning about healthy food choices is stressed. Do you avoid fast food and convenience foods? Try to maintain a balance?

We do not eat fast food and have not since 2004. I will say, our one exception is I take the kids to Chik-fil-a once every 2-3 months. But for the most part, I’d rather have store purchased, fresh foods. I do enjoy a farmer’s market as well and understand that it’s a better way to eat.

5. And we shoot the Nerf gun at the laptop screen to select our birthday celebrant…. Happy Birthday, Chiyono Hasegawa! (1896–2011). She achieved one hundred and fifteen years of age!

When meeting someone of an advanced age, are you in awe of all the wondrous (and terrifying) things that person witnessed?

I always think about how many changes they have seen, so many advances in technology and human civilization. And yes, it is awesome.

6. Please share with us something interesting about your week.

It is ONLY Wednesday and I feel exhausted. Ash has been gone since Sunday mid-day and I always hold it together for a little while but then break down whenever he calls me for the first time. We go about 2 days then we’ll talk on the phone and just telling him everything I’ve done with the kids and at work makes me feel so weak and tired. (We were on the phone until almost 1 am) I know that sounds crazy but unlike so many relationships/marriages, we really do rely on each other a lot and yes, that’s a good thing. But it is also risky being so involved; risky for your emotions/your heart. It’s rough when he’s not here. It’s even harder, maybe, since we’ve known each other 20 years so there’s this level of reliance and understanding and transparency. He knows how I feel and sometimes I don’t even need to say anything. Which is good too since I am an introvert.

But anyway, I’ll stop being mushy. I woke up with an annoying headache and coffee has only made it marginally better. I have to get through classes today and then I can rest again. I think I have a chiropractor appointment tomorrow – I hope I do – but I’ll need to call today. My neck is in some kinda shape. It’s partially from stress, partially from poor sleep. I do not sleep when my husband is gone; at least, not well.

My oldest son is still sick; has been since Monday night. Think he is doing a little better today but he’s camped out on the couch for the foreseeable future and I’m just trying to make sure the others don’t come down with whatever he’s got. 

I’m one of those people who is a staunch believer in eating the turkey before decorating for Christmas but I’ll be honest with you: I’ve been playing my Carpenters Christmas Spotify. It’s calming to me.