Celebrating Fall with a Squirrel Tree
Slice. Slice. Slice. “What are you doing over there?” Mr. T asked, askance, peering over from the living room couch. “Cutting out …
Trying (and failing) to care less
Normally when a new semester starts, I think about what I want to accomplish–for myself professionally, with my students, in the department/university. …
Saying farewell to summer with an Under the Sea tree
Over the summer, I had the immensely good fortune to visit my best friend and beloved nephews (who refuse to stop growing …
A dozen years of musing
Whoa. This morning Facebook reminded me that The Bluest Muse turned 12 yesterday. (And yes, I missed it. Again.) Twelve whole years …
Happy National Donut Day!
During the early getting-to-know-you days of a semester, my students quickly learn a few vital things about me. Chief among them? My …
Happy birthday 101 Pat-Downs!
Drum roll, please… It’s officially book day!! What started in Cactus Land 11 years ago and finished in Sacramento during a pandemic is …
2020 Reading Report, Part II: Must-read nonfiction
Yep, I’m one of those insufferable souls who read a lot last year. My grand total for 2020 included 104 books, a mix …
21 Goals for 2021
When I wrote my “20 Goals for 2020” last New Year’s day, I had no idea how prescient some of my plans …
101 Pat-Downs: Available for pre-order!
It’s been a long, strange year. Like many, I’m damn delighted to see it go. Like counting the minutes until midnight and …
20 goals for 2020
Amid the debates about whether we’re starting a new year or a new decade, I saw a Twitter thread last week about …